Merrimack County New Hampshire
Directly in the center of the state of New Hampshire is where you’ll find Merrimack County, one of ten counties within the Granite State. At about 142,000 people, it’s not the most populous of the New Hampshire counties, but Merrimack does hold the distinction of containing the state’s capital, Concord. The county was formed in 1823 by removing towns from the very large (at the time) counties of Rockingham and Hillsborough and was named after the Merrimack River, a very important north/south water route for commerce in the early 1800’s. About 20 years later, in 1844, the state created Belknap County by using large parts of Merrimack County, thereby reducing the county’s overall size by nearly a full third.
Merrimack County consists primarily of thick woods, rolling hills, rivers, streams and lakes. Just touching the edge of the mountainous regions of the state, Merrimack County’s central location makes the towns within very attractive to those considering a move to this wonderful state. Many of the towns within Merrimack County are small, homey little hamlets that lend to the quiet tranquility that so many people are seeking today.
The following towns fall within Merrimack County: Allenstown, Andover, Boscawen. Bow, Bradford, Canterbury, Chichester, Concord, Danbury, Dunbarton, Epsom, Franklin, Henniker, Hill, Hooksett, Hopkinton, Loudon, New London, Newbury, Northfield, Pembroke, Pittsfield, Salisbury, Sutton, Tilton, Warner, Webster, and Wilmot. Though many are small, all towns within Merrimack County have populations over 1000 people, with the largest population, 42,000, residing in Concord.
As mentioned, Merrimack County is home to Loudon, a beautiful town which contains the New Hampshire International Speedway, a racetrack that is currently visited twice per year by the boys from NASCAR. Always a spectacle to behold, the races bring in over 100,000 race fans to the area two times each summer which inevitably helps businesses throughout the region. Motels and restaurants fill up as people pour in from all over to watch the cars fly around the track at over 150 miles per hour.
Merrimack County offers countless outdoor activities. On one day you can rent a boat to go fishing and waterskiing, then the next you can walk the hundreds of miles of trails intersecting central New Hampshire then the next you can visit the dozens of historic places and museums located within the county lines. The central part of the state is very popular for antique-hunters with dozens, if not hundreds, of antique shops from Epsom to Dunbarton to Northfield. Maybe a 200 year-old treasure is hidden at one, just waiting for you to find it?
Like all other counties in the state, Merrimack County has plenty to offer everyone. If you’re considering a move to the Granite State, you need someone in your corner who understands the ins and outs of our wonderful state, someone who knows the real estate market, someone you can trust. That person is Jim Miller of Bean Group. Give Jim a call at (603) 801-3987 and start living the NH dream by purchasing a new home in Merrimack County.
