Population 155,967 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Merrimack County
Household size in Merrimack County
| Period | Merrimack County | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.49 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.48 | 2.50 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.48 | 2.49 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.49 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Merrimack County run a little small, averaging 2.49 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. New Hampshire as a whole looks much the same. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Merrimack County
| Period | Merrimack County | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.6 | 40.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.1 | 42.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.7 | 43.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.1 | 44.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.5 | +3.5 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Merrimack County is 43.1 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.6, as it has nationally. Among New Hampshire's ten counties, though, only two are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Merrimack County
| Period | Merrimack County | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.1% | 8.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.1% | 8.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.1% of households in Merrimack County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The picture is much the same across New Hampshire. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 1.7 points, in line with the national trend.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Merrimack County
Renters in Merrimack County
| Period | Merrimack County | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.0% | 27.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.0% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.2% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 26.5% | 27.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Merrimack County own their homes; 26.5% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 36.3% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the northwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 1.5 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Merrimack County
| Period | Merrimack County | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.9% | 12.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 12.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 12.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.4% | 11.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Merrimack County is close to the national rate: 8.4% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is lower than in New Hampshire overall (11.7%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 1.5 points, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Merrimack County
| Period | Merrimack County | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1970 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1971 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1972 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1974 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Housing in Merrimack County leans a little older: the median home dates to 1974, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1970 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the east, the oldest in the south.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Merrimack County
| Period | Merrimack County | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $990 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $995 | $1,094 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,090 | $1,224 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,449 | $1,597 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$459 | +$580 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Merrimack County costs $1,449 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $459 a month since 2006–10, up 46%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.5% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the north; the highest are in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Merrimack County
Bachelor's degrees in Merrimack County
| Period | Merrimack County | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.0% | 33.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 33.9% | 35.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 35.8% | 37.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 38.8% | 41.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +7.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in Merrimack County than nationally: 38.8% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.8 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the north.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Merrimack County
| Period | Merrimack County | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.2% | 91.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.4% | 92.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.2% | 93.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.6% | 94.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.4 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Merrimack County: 94.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The picture is much the same across New Hampshire. The share with a diploma has risen 3.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Merrimack County
| Period | Merrimack County | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.3% | 5.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.9% | 6.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 3.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.1% | 3.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Merrimack County has been strong: just 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of New Hampshire's ten counties, only two have lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 2.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Merrimack County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimack County | 2.49 | 43.1 | 8.1% | 26.5% | 8.4% | 1974 | $1,449 | 38.8% | 94.6% | 3.1% |
| Strafford County | 2.48 | 41.0 | 7.9% | 32.9% | 10.1% | 1977 | $1,557 | 40.7% | 95.1% | 3.5% |
| Sullivan County | 2.64 | 47.4 | 8.8% | 24.6% | 21.2% | 1970 | $1,317 | 29.8% | 92.3% | 3.4% |
| Washington County | 2.39 | 45.8 | 9.7% | 23.4% | 13.8% | 1964 | $1,030 | 22.6% | 90.5% | 5.0% |
| Warren County | 2.18 | 46.8 | 9.1% | 27.9% | 17.8% | 1971 | $1,224 | 36.7% | 93.3% | 4.5% |
| Oneida County | 2.33 | 41.9 | 12.7% | 32.3% | 10.3% | 1958 | $1,025 | 27.4% | 87.8% | 4.9% |
| Oswego County | 2.42 | 41.6 | 13.6% | 26.6% | 12.0% | 1971 | $982 | 21.8% | 89.3% | 7.1% |
| Wayne County | 2.32 | 43.9 | 9.5% | 20.1% | 9.1% | 1966 | $961 | 25.6% | 90.9% | 3.6% |
| Monroe County | 2.37 | 41.3 | 12.1% | 36.3% | 7.5% | 1966 | $1,296 | 40.8% | 91.7% | 5.2% |
| Orleans County | 2.35 | 44.8 | 11.8% | 22.8% | 10.5% | 1955 | $888 | 18.3% | 87.1% | 5.3% |
| Niagara County | 2.29 | 43.9 | 11.5% | 28.8% | 8.9% | 1962 | $987 | 27.7% | 92.0% | 6.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Bibb County, GA · Carolina Municipio, PR · Catawba County, NC · Citrus County, FL · Cumberland County, NJ · Scott County, MN · Monroe County, MI · Orange County, NC · Ouachita Parish, LA · Parker County, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Merrimack County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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