100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
New Hampshire (NH) is a small, relatively sparsely populated state in the northeastern United States known as New England. The state’s name refers to the English county of Hampshire. The capital of New Hampshire is Concord, and the largest city is Manchester. The state’s economy is driven by manufacturing and technology. New Hampshire plays an important role in presidential elections, since it is among the first to hold primaries.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name New Hampshire Abbreviation NH Capital Concord Largest city Manchester (Population: 115 474) Current time 1:49 Time zone EST (UTC-5), the state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) Population 1,377,524 (#41 most populous US state) Area 9,350 sqmi (#46 largest US state) Admitted to the Union June 21, 1788 (#9 state to join) ⭐ Capital of New Hampshire
The capital of New Hampshire is Concord, which Europeans began settling in 1659 and which was officially established on February 9, 1734. It was still called Rumford at that time, and Governor Benning Wentworth renamed it to Concord in 1765 after a boundary dispute with the town of Bow. Concord became the capital of New Hampshire in 1808.
🏙️ Largest City in New Hampshire
The largest city in New Hampshire is Manchester, which had 115,474 residents in 2023. The second largest is Nashua with a population of 91,003, and in third place is the capital, Concord, with 44,629 residents.
🕒 Time in New Hampshire
The current time in New Hampshire is 1:49. The entire state observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5). From March through November it switches to Daylight Time, EDT (UTC-4).
🧑🤝🧑 Population of New Hampshire
According to 2023 data, New Hampshire had 1,377,524 residents, which ranked it 41st among the most populous U.S. states.
📍 Area of New Hampshire
The total area of New Hampshire is 9,350 sqmi, of which 8,954 sqmi is land and 396 sqmi is water. By area, New Hampshire is the 46th largest U.S. state.
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Fun Facts About New Hampshire
🧩 Which States Border New Hampshire
New Hampshire borders three U.S. states. Vermont lies to the west, Vermont, Maine is to the east, and Massachusetts is to the south. To the north, it shares a border with the Canadian province of Québec, and to the southeast it has a short Atlantic Ocean coastline that is 13 mi long.
📅 Date of New Hampshire Statehood
New Hampshire approved admission to the Union on June 21, 1788 as the 9th state. Its predecessor was the Province of New Hampshire.
📛 New Hampshire State Nickname
New Hampshire earned the nickname “The Granite State” thanks to the many granite rocks and quarries found here. Figuratively, it represents the strength and perseverance of the state’s people.
For example, license plates and coins use the official motto, which since 1945 has been “Live Free or Die.” The phrase comes from a toast written in July 1809 by General John Stark, one of New Hampshire’s central figures in the American Revolutionary War.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in New Hampshire
The highest mountain in New Hampshire is Mount Washington at 6,289 ft, part of the Presidential Range. Interestingly, the highest peak is named after the first U.S. president, and others are named after the second U.S. President John Adams or Benjamin Franklin.
🏞️ Rivers in New Hampshire
The longest river in New Hampshire is the Connecticut River, with a total length of 407 mi. It is followed by the Androscoggin River (178 mi), Saco River (136 mi), Merrimack River (117 mi), and Contoocook River (71 mi).
🎓 Universities in New Hampshire
The largest university in the state is Southern New Hampshire University, founded in 1932 in Manchester. Today, about 164,000 students study on its campuses and in online programs. In second place is the University of New Hampshire, located in Durham, with around 14,000 enrolled students. The third largest by enrollment is Plymouth State University in Plymouth, which is attended by just under 4,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is assigned the ZIP code range 030xx–038xx. You can look up a specific code by address on the USPS website. Detailed information on how the system works can be found in the article ZIP Codes in the USA.
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Weather in New Hampshire
The best time to visit New Hampshire is late summer and fall, when the landscape turns shades of orange and red. Daytime temperatures are still friendly for outdoor activities.
Spring in New Hampshire is cool and the weather is very changeable. In March, temperatures usually range from 25 °F to 45 °F, then gradually warm to 46 °F to 70 °F in May. Most of the snowpack melts during April, though in the White Mountains and higher elevations in general, snow can persist into May. Melting snow causes flooding every year, and regular rain contributes to it.
Summer in New Hampshire is mild and pleasant. From June through August, temperatures hover around 68 °F to 82 °F. Despite occasional showers, it is an ideal season for hiking, swimming, and visiting parks. Higher altitudes tend to be cooler. Especially in July, be prepared for occasional but intense thunderstorms.
Fall in New Hampshire brings a noticeable cooldown. While September temperatures run between 52 °F and 73 °F, by November daytime highs are only 30 °F to 50 °F. By late November, the first snow showers arrive, especially at higher elevations.
Winter in New Hampshire is cold. From December through February, temperatures are typically between 14 °F and 32 °F. Snowfall is heavy across the state, and the mountains can receive up to 300 cm of snow. There is less snow at lower elevations and in cities like Manchester or Concord, yet you should still expect it. Winter snowstorms and strong winds often disrupt transportation and can lead to temporary road closures.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in New Hampshire
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What to See in New Hampshire
1️⃣ Mount Washington
Mount Washington, at an elevation of 6,289 ft, is the highest mountain in the northeastern United States. It is known for unstable conditions and extreme weather. The weather station on the summit of Mt. Washington recorded a wind gust of 231.00 mph on April 12, 1934. This record was not surpassed until 1996 in Australia.
You can reach the summit via a 7.7 mi hiking trail, and you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the White Mountains. A faster route goes up the 7.6 mi private Mount Washington Auto Road, or you can ride the historic cog railway.
2️⃣ Kancamagus Highway Scenic Byway
Kancamagus Highway is a 34.5 mi scenic road that connects the towns of Conway and North Woodstock. Part of the route runs through the White Mountains, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. There are pullouts along the road where you can stop and take trails to waterfalls and other points of interest.
The best time to drive the Kancamagus Highway is in the fall, when the hardwood forests glow in shades of yellow, orange, and red.
3️⃣ Story Land Family Amusement Park
Story Land is a fairy tale amusement park near the Maine border, designed for families with young children. The park opened in 1954. Today, it operates about 30 attractions, including two roller coasters and two water rides. Younger kids will love carousels, trains, and playgrounds, and they can meet storybook characters from Cinderella or Alice in Wonderland.
4️⃣ Conway Scenic Railroad
The Conway railroad company offers rides on historic trains that travel through the picturesque landscape of the White Mountains. You can choose from several routes, from a short one-hour ride to a 60 mi excursion with a 1950s-era train set.
Riding in historic cars with fantastic views of the surrounding scenery includes onboard refreshments. The experience is at its best in the fall, when the leaves turn yellow, orange, and red.
5️⃣ Franconia Notch State Park
Franconia Notch State Park lies in the heart of the White Mountains near the Vermont border. It offers a range of natural attractions, the most interesting of which is Flume Gorge.
You can explore it on a walking path that largely follows a boardwalk beside cascading waterfalls. The state park also includes Echo Lake, which offers great conditions for swimming, picnicking, and fishing.
6️⃣ Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a port city on the Atlantic Ocean with a rich maritime history and well-preserved colonial architecture. The city has several museums, the most notable being the Strawbery Banke Museum, which brings to life the 17th through 19th centuries. The city’s quaint streets and art galleries are also worth a look.
7️⃣ Polar Caves Park
The main attraction of Polar Caves Park is its granite caves, which formed during the Ice Age. The system consists of nine caves, each with a unique shape, and some can be accessed only through narrow passages. The caves are linked by a wooden boardwalk that offers views of the surrounding nature.
8️⃣ Mount Washington Cog Railway
The Mount Washington Cog Railway is the world’s oldest cog railway, carrying passengers to the summit of the state’s highest peak since 1869. The ride lasts about 45 minutes and provides a unique experience with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Historic steam locomotives as well as newer bio-diesel trains operate on the route. At the summit, a visitor center and museum offer insights into the railway’s history.
9️⃣ Mount Monadnock
Mount Monadnock in the southwest of the state is among the most frequently climbed mountains in the world, thanks to its relatively low elevation of 3,169 ft and easy access. Several hiking trails of varying difficulty circle the mountain. The best known is the 4.3 mi White Dot Trail, which leads to the summit.
On clear days, the summit of Mount Monadnock offers views that reach into neighboring Vermont and Massachusetts.
🔟 Santa’s Village Amusement Park
Santa’s Village is a Christmas-themed amusement park in Jefferson near the Vermont border, designed especially for families with young children. Kids can enjoy more than twenty attractions, including two roller coasters, interactive games, and a Christmas workshop. The park is open year-round, but it is most magical before Christmas, when everything is lit up and children can meet Santa Claus.
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Largest Cities in New Hampshire
The table lists the ten largest cities in New Hampshire in 2023. The data source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is the national census.
City County Population 1 Manchester Hillsborough 115,474 Map of Manchester 2 Nashua Hillsborough 91,003 Map of Nashua 3 Concord Merrimack 44,629 Map of Concord 4 Rochester Strafford 33,519 Map of Rochester 5 Dover Strafford 33,485 Map of Dover 6 Keene Cheshire 22,917 Map of Keene 7 Portsmouth Rockingham 22,733 Map of Portsmouth 8 Laconia Belknap 17,142 Map of Laconia 9 Lebanon Grafton 15,342 Map of Lebanon 10 Claremont Sullivan 13,111 Map of Claremont -
Sports Teams in New Hampshire
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
New Hampshire has no team in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There is no team from New Hampshire in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
There is no NBA team based in New Hampshire.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no team from New Hampshire in MLB.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
No team from New Hampshire plays in MLS.
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New Hampshire State Symbols
New Hampshire has a number of official symbols, and only some of them are listed below.
Flag of New Hampshire
The New Hampshire state flag has been in its current form since 1931. It features the Great Seal centered on a dark blue field. The seal is surrounded by a wreath of olive and oak branches with nine stars, which recall that New Hampshire ratified the Constitution as the ninth state.
Seal of New Hampshire
The Great Seal of New Hampshire has been in its current form since January 1, 1932. Its central motif is the USS Raleigh, one of the first ships of the Continental Navy, with a setting sun in the background. The USS Raleigh was one of the thirteen ships that the Continental Congress approved for the Navy in 1775.
State Tree
In 1947, the state tree of New Hampshire became the paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Interestingly, the law was passed without argument or opposition, prompted simply by the interest of one senator.
State Flower
Since 1919, the official state flower has been the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), which symbolizes the resilience of the state’s men and women.
State Bird
Since 1957, the state bird has been the purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus), which occurs statewide year-round.
State Animal
Since 1983, the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has been among the state symbols. It is common in forests throughout the state.
State Stone
Since 1985, the state stone has been granite. The largest quarries are around Rattlesnake Hill. New Hampshire is often nicknamed “The Granite State,” and granite also symbolizes the strength and perseverance of its people.
State Mineral
In 1985, mostly colorless beryl was added to the symbols. New Hampshire has several beryl deposits, valued for the mineral’s hardness.
State Motto
Since 1945, the state motto has been “Live Free or Die.” The famous slogan comes from 1809 and the American Revolution hero General John Stark, who wrote it as an apology when he could not attend the celebration of the anniversary of the Battle of Bennington due to poor health.
State Sport
In 1998, a law designated skiing as the official state sport. New Hampshire was one of the first places in the United States to build ski lifts and ski areas. Skiing remains one of the most popular sports.
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