Demographics & Population
Historically, Londonderry has not attracted a significant share of younger professionals under the age of 35. While this cohort is not a major demand driver in the Londonderry market, there is an opportunity to attract this demographic through appropriately scaled multifamily development with complementary retail amenities and entertainment options. Live/work buildings, such as rowhouses, as well as apartment buildings that have the appearance of single-family homes, and accessory dwelling units, all represent building types that could be integrated into the housing mix and expand options for smaller family units. Londonderry’s age profile is skewed older (with a median age of 40.5, as compared to 38.4 throughout the region) by a relatively large concentration of people between age 35 and 54, which is indicative of families with school-aged children. In order to create a more well rounded community with a better distributed demographic profile, Londonderry can offer more choice in the types of housing, shopping, and entertainment options. Additionally, some demographic segments not currently plentiful in Londonderry have preferences related to sense of place and community character. These preferences will need to be met if the Town hopes to attract new residents and businesses.
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Town of Londonderry, New Hampshire
MARY WING SOARES, STEVE YOUNG, AND OTHERS
As of the 2010 US Census, approximately 24,129 people lived in the Town of Londonderry, making it the third largest community in the Southern New Hampshire Planning Region, behind Manchester and Derry. For the first 258 years since its charter, Londonderry’s population grew gradually. Then, starting in 1980 and continuing through the 1990s, an explosion of growth occurred that changed the landscape of Londonderry forever. Development occurred in the form of residential subdivisions on formerly rural land, with an influx of new residents moving into single family homes.
PHOTOS OF LONDONDERRY RESIDENTS
What We Heard . . . Londonderry is a great place for parents of young children. Many move to Londonderry while their children are in school and move away afterwards. The elderly population could use more housing options and more communication about the services that are available for them. The younger generations are interested in a more walkable, compact lifestyle and the Town needs to keep this in mind in order to attract younger people to Londonderry.