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Nashua, NH

Frequently asked questions

Nashua, NH

Nashua is a city in southern New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 91,322, the second-largest in northern New England after nearby Manchester. It is one of two county seats of New Hampshire's most populous county, Hillsborough; the other being Manchester.

Built around the now-departed textile industry, in recent decades Nashua's economy has shifted to the financial services, high tech, and defense industries as part of the economic recovery that started in the 1980s in the Greater Boston region. Major private employers in the city include Nashua Corporation, BAE Systems, and Teradyne. The city also hosts two major regional medical centers, Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital. The South Nashua commercial district is a major regional shopping destination, lying directly on the Massachusetts border and taking advantage of New Hampshire's lack of sales tax. It is anchored by the Pheasant Lane Mall and numerous smaller shopping centers.

It is one of several U.S. cities nicknamed Gate City, which references a reputation for being a travel gateway - in this case between the Boston region and New Hampshire. A number of civic groups and institutions have adopted the title.

Nashua is in southeastern Hillsborough County. It is bordered to the south by Middlesex County, Massachusetts. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.7 square miles (82.2 km²), of which 30.8 square miles (79.9 km²) are land and 0.89 square miles (2.3 km²) are water, comprising 2.84% of the city. The eastern boundary of Nashua is formed by the Merrimack River, and the city is drained by the Nashua River and Salmon Brook, tributaries of the Merrimack. The Nashua River roughly bisects the city. Pennichuck Brook forms the city's northern boundary. The highest point in Nashua is Gilboa Hill in the southern part of the city, at 426 feet (130 m) above sea level.

The area was part of a 200-square-mile (520 km²) tract of land in Massachusetts called "Dunstable", named after Edward Tyng of Dunstable in England. Located at the confluence of the Nashua and Merrimack rivers, Dunstable was first settled about 1654 as a fur trading town. Nashua lies approximately in the center of the original 1673 grant. In 1732, Dunstable was split along the Merrimack River, with the town of Nottingham West (now the town of Hudson, New Hampshire) created out of the eastern portion. The previously disputed boundary between Massachusetts and New Hampshire was fixed in 1741 when the governorships of the two provinces were separated. As a result, the township of Dunstable was divided in two. Tyngsborough and some of Dunstable remained in Massachusetts, while Dunstable, New Hampshire, was incorporated in 1746 from the northern section of the town.

In 1836, the New Hampshire half of Dunstable was renamed "Nashua", after the Nashua River; the Dunstable name lives on across the Massachusetts border. The Nashua River was named by the Nashaway people, and in the Penacook language it means "beautiful stream with a pebbly bottom", with an alternative meaning of "land between two rivers". In 1842, the town split into two towns. Eleven years later, they joined back together under the name "Nashua", and were re-incorporated as a city. During the split, the northern area, known today as "French Hill", called itself "Nashville", while the southern part kept the name Nashua.

Nashua places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with numerous resources and facilities dedicated to promoting residents' well-being. The city is home to several hospitals and healthcare providers, including St. Joseph Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Nashua, ensuring access to quality medical care for its residents. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Nashua 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 Somerset Swim and Fitness, American Fitness Center and TOP Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Nashua, such as the Nashua River Rail Trail and Yudicky Farm Conservation Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Nashua, NH include Mine Falls Park, Pheasant Lane Mall, Greeley Park, and Holman Stadium.

Population: 91,851 (2024). ZIP codes: 03060; 03061; 03062; 03063; 03064. Area code: 603. Elevation: 151 ft (46 m). Area: 31.73 sq mi (82.19 km²).

FAQs

Is Nashua, NH a good place to live?

Nashua, NH, is a small, eclectic and charming town that is far enough from Boston to feel removed from the hustle of the city — and its cost of living — but doesn’t feel remote. Ranking high in safety and education in our index, Nashua has a ready supply of retail, manufacturing, education, health care and defense jobs, making it a great place to live in the U.S. In addition, the town embraces the arts, with public installations, a volunteer arts services organization, a co-op craftsmen’s gallery right on Main Street, and a Center for the Arts that hosts everything from touring theater to live music and comedy. Additionally, with six college campuses nearby, there’s always a performance, festival or event to attend.

Why is Nashua, NH famous?

Nashua is located in Hillsborough County. It was twice named "Best Place to Live in America" by Money Magazine. It developed around the previously thriving textile industry. The downtown serves as the region's commercial and entertainment center. Citizens of Massachusetts are attracted to the shopping centers of Nashua such as the Pheasant Lane Mall due to New Hampshire not having a sales tax. Defense Contractor BAE Systems and Hewlett-Packard are two of the major high-tech companies in the city. The Nashua River flows through the municipality.

Is Nashua, NH expensive to live in?

Nashua is 12% more expensive than the national average and 4% more expensive to live in than the average city in New Hampshire. This assumes a $72,000 annual salary and a 2-bedroom Apt. Food costs in Nashua are less affordable than average in the United States. Transportation costs in Nashua are less affordable than average in the United States. Housing costs in Nashua are less affordable than average in the United States. Healthcare costs in Nashua are less affordable than the US average.

Sources

Wikipedia 

City of Nashua

St. Joseph Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Nashua

Nashua Parks and Recreation Department 

Somerset Swim and Fitness

American Fitness Center 

TOP Fitness

Nashua River Rail Trail 

Yudicky Farm Conservation Loop

Mine Falls Park

Pheasant Lane Mall

Greeley Park

Holman Stadium

Livability

City Town Info

Erieri

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