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Hanover, NH

Frequently asked questions

Hanover, NH

Hanover is a town located along the Connecticut River in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 11,870. The town is home to the Ivy League university Dartmouth College, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, and Hanover High School. The Appalachian Trail crosses the town, connecting with a number of trails and nature preserves.

Most of the population resides in the Hanover census-designated place (CDP)—the main village of the town. Located at the junctions of New Hampshire routes 10, 10A, and 120, the Hanover CDP recorded a population of 9,078 people at the 2020 census. The town is part of the Lebanon–Claremont micropolitan area and also contains the smaller villages of Etna and Hanover Center.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 50.2 square miles (129.9 km²), of which 49.0 square miles (127.0 km²) are land and 1.1 square miles (2.9 km²) are water, comprising 2.21% of the town. The primary settlement in Hanover, where over 75% of the town's population resides, is in the southwestern corner of the town and is defined as the Hanover census-designated place (CDP). It contains the areas around Dartmouth College and the intersections of New Hampshire Routes 10, 10A, and 120. The CDP has a total area of 5.0 square miles (13 km²), of which 4.6 square miles (12 km²) are land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) are water.

Hanover borders the towns of Lyme, Canaan, and Enfield, New Hampshire; Norwich, Vermont; and the city of Lebanon, New Hampshire. Inside the limits of Hanover are the small rural villages of Etna and Hanover Center. The highest point in Hanover is the north peak of Moose Mountain, at 2,313 feet (705 m) above sea level. Hanover lies fully within the Connecticut River watershed.

There are a number of trails and nature preserves in Hanover, and the majority of these trails are suitable for snowshoes and cross-country skis. The Velvet Rocks Trail, located on the Appalachian Trail, has a number of rock climbing and bouldering spots.

Hanover was chartered by Governor Benning Wentworth on July 4, 1761, and in 1765–1766 its first European inhabitants arrived, the majority from Connecticut. Although the surface is uneven, the town developed into an agricultural community. Dartmouth College was established in 1769 beside the town common at a village called "the Plain"—an extensive and level tract of land a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the Connecticut River, and about 150 feet (46 m) above it.

At one point in its history, the southwest corner of Hanover, site of "The Plain", was known as "Dresden", which in the 1780s joined other disgruntled New Hampshire towns along the Connecticut River that briefly defected to what was then the independent Vermont Republic. After various political posturings, however, the towns returned to New Hampshire at the heated insistence of George Washington. One remnant of this era is that the name "Dresden" is still used in the Dresden School District, an interstate school district serving both Hanover and Norwich, Vermont—the first and one of the few interstate school districts in the nation. The film Winter Carnival (1939) was shot in Hanover.

"Hannover" (with a double n, as it was spelled in the 1761 charter and in its German original form as well) was named either after a local parish in Sprague, Connecticut, or after the German House of Hanover (which originated in 1635 as a cadet branch of the House of Brunswick-Lüneburg when George, Duke of Brunswick moved to the city of Hannover)  in honor of the reigning British-Hanoverian king, George III. Today, the original Hannover is the capital and largest city of Lower Saxony, the second-largest state in Germany. The name of the German city is thought to derive from the Low German form of what is "hohes Ufer" in German, which translates into "high shore" in English, and describes the high shore of the Leine river at the site, and at the time, of the first known settlement (near today's street At the High Shore).

While it is likely that the name "Dresden" derived from Dresden in Germany, it has also been suggested that it could derive directly from the old Sorbian word drezg ("forest") or Drezd'ane, for an inhabitant of a forest.

Hanover places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with numerous resources and facilities dedicated to promoting well-being within the community. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center offers comprehensive healthcare services, including primary care, specialized treatments, and wellness programs, ensuring that residents have access to quality medical care. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Hanover Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Mighty Yoga, River Valley Club and General Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Hanover, such as the Hanover River Trail and Wheelock Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Hanover, NH include the Hood Museum of Art, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Nugget Theaters, and Thompson Arena.

Population: 8,234 (2022). Elevation: 528 ft (161 m). Area: 50.2 sq mi (129.9 km²). ZIP Code: 03755. Area code: 603.

FAQs

Why is Hanover, NH so expensive?

The cost of living in Hanover, NH, is mainly dominated by its extremely limited housing and rental market. With increasing demand and not enough supply, many residents who turn to rent as a housing alternative to homeownership must compete with high rates and few choices. The median household income in Hanover is $79,844, according to the latest census, marking a 27.1% decrease.

Is Hanover, NH a good place to live?

Hanover is in Grafton County and is one of the best places to live in New Hampshire. Living in Hanover offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many young professionals live in Hanover and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Hanover are highly rated.

What is Hanover, NH famous for?

The town is home to the Ivy League university Dartmouth College, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, and Hanover High School. The Appalachian Trail crosses the town, connecting with a number of trails and nature preserves. Most of the population resides in the Hanover census-designated place (CDP)—the main village of the town.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Hanover

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center 

Hanover Parks and Recreation Department 

Mighty Yoga

River Valley Club 

General Fitness

Hanover River Trail 

Wheelock Trail

Hood Museum of Art

Hopkins Center for the Arts

Nugget Theaters

Thompson Arena

Black House RE

Niche

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