NH Center for Public Policy: NH fastest growing state in New England.Carroll, Belknap and Merrimack counties will see the largest percent increase in population in the next twenty years

New Hampshire Center for Public Policy

Estimated Percent Change in Population 2000-2030 by Northern New England County

New Hampshire is expected to be the fastest growing state in northern New England from 2000 to 2030, but the growth is not projected to be the same across counties.

In the last two decades New Hampshire’s southernmost counties (Hillsborough and Rockingham) had seen the greatest population growth, but population growth will shift to the north and west in the future.  Carroll, Belknap and Merrimack counties will see the largest percent increase in population in the next twenty years.  Large increases in population could cause a strain on municipal services in Carroll, Belknap & Merrimack counties, associated with the influx of new residents and new housing.  The Center will be examining this issue in an upcoming paper on the impacts of population change and aging on the State budget. 

Coos County will be the slowest growing county in New Hampshire.  The map also shows that northwest Vermont and coastal Maine will also see high levels of population growth, while most northern Maine counties will actually lose population between 2000 and 2030.