Nashua Town Profile

As the only city twice voted by Money Magazine as the “Number One City” to call home, Nashua has unique appeal. Nicknamed “The Gate City,” Nashua is considered the gateway to New Hampshire. The second largest city in the state and the center of a diverse and dynamic region of over 187,000 people, Nashua is endowed with urban amenities as well as retaining the charm of the traditional New England landscape. Nashua’s population has nearly doubled since 1960. The combination of an excellent quality of life and proximity to Boston, the seacoast and the White Mountains makes Nashua an attractive growth center for New England.

The construction boom of the mid 80’s with it attendant escalation of real estate costs, has reversed. More than any other community in the region, Nashua offers diversity of housing choices for rental or purchase, ranging from historic properties to new condominiums and subdivisions.

Housing is largely comprised of three bedroom, multi-family developments with pools, tennis courts and playgrounds. Prices range from below $250,000 to $400,000. The average three bedroom home costs $250,000. The areas are exquisitely planned, providing beautiful, spacious neighborhoods with excellent views.

Nashua’s North End, including the Nashville Historic District, has been the City’s most affluent residential neighborhood for more than a century. The handsome homes in this area line the edge of Concord Street near Greeley park. They range from the early 19th to the early 20th Century, with a particular emphasis on Victorian architecture.

The older textile mills lining the Nashua River have been renovated into condominiums, popular for their proximity to downtown’s Main Street. Spit Brook Road in south Nashua is home to many condominium developments with pools, tennis courts and playgrounds which are conveniently located close to Route 3.

Nashua is in the midst of a five-year revitalization plan focused on improving its already outstanding educational system. The district consists of twelve elementary schools (K-5)three middle schools (6-8) one alternative school (6-10) and two comprehensive senior high schools (9-12).

Approximately 13,225 students attend. Parental involvement is important to the schools, as is community and business involvement. State-of-the-art computer systems are in place in the schools with their own web sites.

There are also many options for private school education. There are eight private and parochial schools in the city of Nashua, and another 93 within thirty miles. These institutions offer smaller class sizes and specialized curricula.

Higher education opportunities also abound in Nashua. Students can pursue a degree in aviation, engineering or computer technology, or study a health-care profession.

Residents in Nashua have access to the best health care providers in the area.

St. Joseph Healthcare includes a 208-bed acute care emergency and Level 2 Trauma Center. Their regional healthcare system encompasses a satellite emergency center in Milford, six family medical centers, a large network of primary care and specialty physician practices; Rockingham Ambulance, Granite State Mediquip, Adult Day Health Center, Souhegan Home & Hospice Care and the SurgiCenter and Community Health Education programs. St. Joseph Healthcare is a member of Covenant Health Systems, owned by the Sisters of Charity of Montreal.

For more than 100 years, Southern New Hampshire Medical Center has literally been at the heart of better health for Greater Nashua. A familiar landmark long known as the “downtown hospital,” their main campus has grown along with the city.

Today, the Medical Center’s modern facilities, including the new, glass-walled Health and Education Building, occupy several blocks surrounding their original location.

They run a Level II Trauma Center, as well as a number of innovative programs, including The New England Institute for Health and Wellness. They deliver convenient local access to comprehensive health care, with preventive, diagnostic, treatment and support services.

Despite its over 87,000 people and many tourists, Nashua is still incredibly safe. The overall crime rate is recorded at 35.5 incidents per 1,000 residents, far below the national average. However, the vast majority of these crimes are committed against property and not people. The violent crime in Nashua is an amazing 84% below the national average, and Nashua can proudly proclaim its streets and neighborhoods safe.

Locals credit much of the low crime rate to active public awareness and a proactive Police force. Programs such as the “ Senior Citizens Police Academy” increase public awareness and knowledge in the Nashua community. A new police station and cyber-crime unit make Nashua’s finest, finer.

Nashua’s menu of cultural and recreational offering defies a quality of life which natives have always cherished and which continues to attract new residents.

Nashua’s two large parks, Greeley Park and Mine Falls Park, are important cornerstones for community activities.

Greeley Park’s Band Shell is a favorite area to go during special evening for Nashuans. Locals spread out blankets, bring a basket of goodies and relax under the stars as they wait for the evening’s performance to begin. Here you can enjoy anything from a Shakespeare play, the sixty member Nashua Symphony or a jazz ensemble.

Near the center of town is the historic Holman Stadium, which serves as home field for the Nashua Pride, an independent league baseball team.

Around Mine Falls Park you will find residents walking, jogging, biking, cross-country skiing and enjoying other favorite outdoor pastimes.

Downtown, along brick-paved sidewalks, the city celebrates throughout the year. A brisk November evening might find Nashua locals on a holiday candlelight stroll, while April or June brings celebrations for the “Taste of Downtown”. Rarely is such an active and vibrant downtown found in a city the size of Nashua.

Nashua is undeniably charming, with its Railroad Square and brick-paved sidewalks this city has a personality that is all its own. Nashua is not your typical New England town, for those who still need a taste of a Currier and Ives village scene, a visit to anyone of the following ten neighboring towns should do the trick. There you can experience historic New England and delight in the charm of towns unchanged since the 1800’s.

Links:

Nashua , NH official home page
Assessing
Building 
Cemeteries
City Clerk's Office
Community Development
Economic Development
Financial Services
Fire Rescue
Fire Marshal
Motor Vehicle Registration
Public Health & Community Services
Human Resources
Information Technology
Legal Department
Library
Parks & Recreation
Planning
Police
Public Works
Purchasing
School District
Tax Collector's Office

Important Numbers:

Emergency: 911

City Departments:

Assessing P (603) 589-3040 F (603) 589-3079
Building P (603) 589-3080 F (603) 589-3119
Cemeteries P (603) 589-3080 F (603) 589-3119
City Clerk P (603) 589-3040 F (603) 589-3079
Community Development P (603) 589-3095 F (603) 589-3119
Economic Development P (603) 589-3070 F (603) 589-3398
Financial Services P (603) 589-3171 F (603) 589-3209
Fire Rescue P (603) 594-3651 F (603) 594-3654
Fire Marshall P (603) 589-3460 F (603) 589-3474
Public Health P (603) 589-4560 F (603) 594-3452
Human Resource P (603) 589-3230 F (603) 589-3244
Legal P (603) 589-3250 F (603) 589-3259
Library P (603) 589-4600
Parks & Recreation P (603) 589-3370 F (603) 594-3465
Planning P (603) 589-3090 F (603) 589-3119
Police P (603) 594-3500 F (603) 594-3616
Public Works P (603) 589-3140 F (603) 589-3169
Purchasing P (603) 589-3330 F (603) 589-3344
School District P (603) 594-4300 F (603) 594-4350

Interesting Information:

Incorporated: 1746

Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 632 residents in 1790

Population 2003: 87,285

Tax Rate 2004: $19.85/1000 home value
Tax Rate 2003: $24.37/1000 home value
Tax Rate 2002: $23.60/1000 home value
Tax Rate 2001: $22.50/1000 home value
Tax Rate 2000: $21.35/1000 home value