Rockingham County, New Hampshire

Rockingham County
U.S. county
Aerial view of Portsmouth
Location within the U.S. state of New Hampshire
New Hampshire's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°57′46″N 71°04′39″W / 42.962872°N 71.077621°W / 42.962872; -71.077621
Country	United States
State	New Hampshire
Founded	1769
Named for	Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
Seat	Brentwood
Largest town	Derry
Area
• Total	795.2 sq mi (2,060 km2)
• Land	695.4 sq mi (1,801 km2)
• Water	99.9 sq mi (259 km2)  12.6%
Population  (2010)
• Total	295,223
• Estimate  (2019)	309,769
• Density	444.6/sq mi (171.7/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts	1st, 2nd
Website	www.rockinghamcountynh.org

Rockingham County is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2020 census, the population was 314,176,^[1] making it New Hampshire's second-most populous county. The county seat is Brentwood.^[2] Rockingham County is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area and the greater Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT Combined Statistical Area. Per the 2020 census, it was New Hampshire's fastest growing county from 2010-2020.[1]

As of 2014-2018 estimates from the American Community Survey, Rockingham County was the 4th wealthiest county in New England, with a median household income of $90,429.^[3]

History[]

The area that today is Rockingham County was first settled by Europeans moving north from the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts as early as 1623. The government was linked tightly with Massachusetts until New Hampshire became a separate colony in 1679, but counties were not introduced until 1769.

Rockingham was identified in 1769 as one of five original counties for the colony. It is named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, who had been Prime Minister from 1765 to 1766. The county was organized in 1771, with its county seat at Exeter. In 1823, a portion of Hillsborough Country became part of the formation of Merrimack County. In 1844, its area was further reduced by the formation of Belknap County to the northwest. In 1997, the county court facilities were moved to Brentwood, a rural town adjacent to Exeter.^[4]

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 795 square miles (2,060 km²), of which 695 square miles (1,800 km²) are land and 100 square miles (260 km²) (13%) are water.^[5] Its highest point is Nottingham Mountain, at 1,340 feet (410 m), in Deerfield. The county contains all of New Hampshire's Atlantic coast, which, at approximately 18 miles (29 km), is the shortest ocean coastline of any state in the U.S.^[6]

Adjacent counties[]

• Strafford County (north)
• York County, Maine (northeast)
• Essex County, Massachusetts (south)
• Hillsborough County (west)
• Merrimack County (northwest)

National protected area[]

• Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1790	43,184		—
1800	45,427		5.2%
1810	50,175		10.5%
1820	55,246		10.1%
1830	44,325		−19.8%
1840	45,771		3.3%
1850	49,194		7.5%
1860	50,122		1.9%
1870	47,297		−5.6%
1880	49,064		3.7%
1890	49,650		1.2%
1900	51,118		3.0%
1910	52,188		2.1%
1920	52,498		0.6%
1930	53,750		2.4%
1940	58,142		8.2%
1950	70,059		20.5%
1960	99,029		41.4%
1970	138,951		40.3%
1980	190,345		37.0%
1990	245,845		29.2%
2000	277,359		12.8%
2010	295,223		6.4%
2020	314,176		6.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010-2020 [11]

2000 census[]

As of the census^[12] of 2000, there were 277,359 people, 104,529 households, and 74,320 families living in the county. The population density was 399 people per square mile (154/km²). There were 113,023 housing units at an average density of 163 per square mile (63/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.80% White, 0.58% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.1% were of Irish, 14.6% English, 11.8% Italian, 10.5% French, 8.0% French Canadian, 6.0% German and 5.6% American ancestry. 94.3% spoke English, 1.8% French and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 104,529 households, out of which 35.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.40% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 32.80% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $58,150, and the median income for a family was $66,345. (These figures had risen to $72,600 and $85,361 respectively, as of a 2007 estimate.^[13]) Males had a median income of $45,598 versus $30,741 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,656. About 3.10% of families and 4.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.00% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 295,223 people, 115,033 households, and 79,832 families living in the county.^[14] The population density was 425.0 inhabitants per square mile (164.1/km²). There were 126,709 housing units at an average density of 182.4 per square mile (70.4/km²).^[15] The racial makeup of the county was 95.5% white, 1.7% Asian, 0.7% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.1% of the population.^[14] In terms of ancestry, 26.9% were Irish, 19.0% were English, 14.8% were Italian, 9.7% were German, 7.3% were French Canadian, 5.6% were Polish, and 3.8% were American.^[16]

Of the 115,033 households, 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age was 42.2 years.^[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $75,825 and the median income for a family was $90,463. Males had a median income of $61,443 versus $42,478 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,889. About 3.0% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.^[17]

Politics and government[]

Rockingham County has historically been a Republican stronghold, but the county is now competitive. Three Democratic presidential nominees have won it since 1964, including Joe Biden in 2020, who was the first to win a majority since Lyndon B. Johnson.

The county is divided between the Democratic stronghold that is the Seacoast Region, and the more sparsely populated conservative inland portions of the county.

Rockingham County is one of only twelve counties to have voted for Obama in 2008, Romney in 2012, Trump in 2016, and Biden in 2020.^[a]

Presidential elections results^[18]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
2020	48.1% 95,858	50.2% 100,064	1.7% 3,420
2016	49.9% 90,447	44.1% 79,994	6.1% 10,993
2012	51.6% 87,921	47.0% 80,142	1.4% 2,360
2008	48.8% 81,917	49.9% 83,723	1.3% 2,182
2004	51.7% 82,069	47.5% 75,437	0.8% 1,310
2000	49.1% 65,860	45.9% 61,628	5.0% 6,685
1996	40.8% 46,201	47.4% 53,644	11.8% 13,403
1992	38.3% 47,353	35.8% 44,317	26.0% 32,136
1988	63.2% 64,034	35.3% 35,775	1.6% 1,596
1984	69.0% 57,586	30.6% 25,557	0.4% 297
1980	57.8% 45,960	27.3% 21,712	14.9% 11,802
1976	53.9% 36,738	44.1% 30,051	2.0% 1,341
1972	63.1% 38,825	35.8% 21,998	1.2% 718
1968	55.0% 28,842	40.4% 21,195	4.6% 2,419
1964	41.7% 19,498	58.3% 27,256
1960	62.2% 28,032	37.8% 17,063
1956	73.4% 28,226	26.5% 10,198	0.1% 18
1952	68.6% 26,280	31.4% 12,040
1948	60.7% 18,890	38.4% 11,937	1.0% 301
1944	56.6% 17,144	43.4% 13,170	0.0% 2
1940	53.7% 16,223	46.3% 14,001
1936	54.8% 15,466	43.2% 12,207	2.0% 576
1932	56.4% 14,902	43.0% 11,363	0.5% 140
1928	69.2% 17,590	30.6% 7,782	0.2% 53
1924	68.4% 14,530	28.6% 6,073	3.0% 634
1920	67.3% 13,811	32.1% 6,582	0.6% 132
1916	50.3% 5,866	48.3% 5,637	1.4% 162
1912	37.5% 4,231	38.2% 4,306	24.3% 2,733
1908	60.3% 6,814	36.5% 4,118	3.2% 361
1904	61.0% 7,216	36.5% 4,320	2.5% 299
1900	59.3% 7,363	38.0% 4,719	2.7% 337
1896	69.3% 7,881	26.3% 2,992	4.4% 496
1892	50.8% 6,380	47.4% 5,961	1.8% 230
1888	48.8% 6,450	49.5% 6,553	1.7% 226
1884	50.6% 6,162	46.7% 5,682	2.7% 326
1880	53.3% 6,960	45.8% 5,989	0.9% 121
1876	53.5% 6,422	46.5% 5,576	0.0% 3

County Commission[]

The executive power of Rockingham County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county.^[19]

Districts	Name	Hometown	Party
District 1	Kate Coyle	Portsmouth, NH	Democratic
District 2	Thomas Tombarello	Sandown, NH	Republican
District 3	Brian Chirichiello	Derry, NH	Republican

In addition to the County Commission, there are five directly elected officials: they include County Attorney, Register of Deeds, County Sheriff, Register of Probate, and County Treasurer.^[20]

Office	Name
County Attorney	Patricia Conway (R)
Register of Deeds	Cathy Stacey (R)
County Sheriff	Chuck Massahos (R)
Register of Probate	Ray Tweedie (R)
County Treasurer	Scott Priestley (R)

Legislative branch[]

The legislative branch of Rockingham County is made up of the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. In total, as of August 2018 there are 90 members from 37 different districts.

Affiliation		Members	Voting share
	Democratic Party	29	32.2%
	Republican Party	61	67.8%
Total		90	100%

After redistricting based on the 2010 United States Census, Rockingham County was split between 8 state senate districts:^[21]

District	Areas of Rockingham County	Senator	Party	First elected	Residence
14	Londonderry, Auburn	Sharon Carson	Republican	2010	Londonderry
16	Candia	Kevin Cavanaugh	Democratic	2017	Manchester
17	Raymond, Northwood, Nottingham, Deerfield	John Reagan	Republican	2012	Deerfield
19	Windham, Derry, Hampstead	Regina Birdsell	Republican	2014	Hampstead
21	Portsmouth, Newington, Newmarket, Newfields	Rebecca Perkins Kwoka	Democratic	2020	Portsmouth
22	Salem, Atkinston, Plaistow	Chuck Morse	Republican	2010	Salem
23	Exeter, Brentwood, Epping, Fremont, Kingston, East Kingston, Danville, Sandown, Chester	Bill Gannon	Republican	2020	Sandown
24	New Castle, Rye, Stratham, North Hampton, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Seabrook, Kensington, South Hampton Newton	Tom Sherman	Democratic	2018	Rye

Attractions[]

Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth is a collection of historic buildings from the 17th through 19th centuries. Canobie Lake Park, in Salem, is an amusement park that opened in 1902. Rockingham Park racetrack, which featured weekly horse racing until 2009, was also in Salem. The site of the former track, next to the Mall at Rockingham Park, is being redeveloped as Tuscan Village, a mixed-use development. America's Stonehenge, which claims to be a pre-Columbian collection of stone structures, is in northern Salem. Derry was home to poet Robert Frost, who taught at nearby Pinkerton Academy. His home, the Robert Frost Farm, has been preserved as a state park.

Rockingham County is also home to New Hampshire's entire seacoast and features several popular resort towns. Hampton Beach has a boardwalk and Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. Rye features several undeveloped beaches such as Odiorne Point State Park and contains New Hampshire's portion of the Isles of Shoals. Seabrook contains and the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, the last nuclear plant opened in the United States.

Communities[]

City[]

• Portsmouth

Towns[]

Census-designated places[]

Villages[]

• Candia Four Corners
• East Candia
• East Derry
• East Hampstead
• Newton Junction
• North Salem
• West Nottingham

See also[]

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Rockingham County, New Hampshire

Notes[]

References[]

Further reading[]

• D. Hamilton Hurd, History of Rockingham and Strafford Counties, New Hampshire: With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis, 1882.

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rockingham County, New Hampshire.

• Rockingham County official website

Coordinates: 42°59′N 71°05′W / 42.99°N 71.09°W / 42.99; -71.09