19-03-2025
Hillsborough County population up due to immigration; Coos shrinks as Carroll County tops growth
Mar. 18—Immigration from abroad as well as 800 more births than deaths helped Hillsborough County post a population gain of less than 2% between 2020 and 2024, the second-worst growth in the state, according to a new demographic report.
Northernmost Coos County was the only one to see a population decline in that span of time, according to an analysis from the University of New Hampshire.
The U.S. Census figures help direct businesses and policymakers on where to find future employees and to plan for needed housing.
Positive immigration numbers in Hillsborough County helped offset more people moving out of the county to other states than into the county, which is home to Manchester and Nashua, according to research by Ken Johnson, senior demographer at the Carsey School of Public Policy.
"Hillsborough's demographic trends are similar to those in many large metropolitan areas where natural increase and immigration tend to offset a loss of domestic migrants," Johnson wrote in a brief released Tuesday.
In a follow-up email, Johnson said immigrants tend to be attracted to larger communities.
"Also, many immigrants tend to travel where other members of their group have settled before — demographers call it chain migration," Johnson said. "Because the cities of Manchester and Nashua have established immigrant communities, recent immigrants follow in their footsteps. They may already have family or friends who are in the county and can help them get settled."
The state's overall population stood at 1,409,032 on July 1, 2024, or 6,800 more than in July 2023, the numbers previously announced.
Moe Archambault, principal of Moe Marketing Realty Group in Laconia, said the growing population means more competition for limited housing, especially homes priced under $500,000.
"Somebody moving into the state of New Hampshire for a potential job, they may end up having so much trouble finding housing they don't take a job," said Archambault, who has had frustrated clients decline job offers.
Migration from other states has fueled all of New Hampshire's population gains since 2020, Johnson said.
The state had 9,200 more deaths than births between 2020 and July 2024, but 40,100 more people moved to the state than left it. This included 10,900 more people who moved here from other countries than left the state for an international destination, according to Johnson.
A net of 29,200 more people moved to New Hampshire from other states than left the Granite State.
Carroll County, which includes Moultonborough and Conway, recorded the largest percentage population gain, up 5% since 2020.
"This county has long attracted recreational and amenity migrants, including many from large urban areas," Johnson said. "This influx accelerated during the pandemic era."
Rockingham and Merrimack counties were the next-fastest-growing, gaining 2.6%.
Rockingham County, which includes Portsmouth and the Seacoast, had the largest numerical gain of 8,200 new residents. In contrast, Coos lost 165 residents over the same four-year period.
The state seeing more deaths than births is not a new trend.
"COVID contributed to these widespread natural losses, but annual deaths have exceeded births in the state in each of the last eight years," Johnson wrote.
He urged leaders to use the numbers to plan.
"Such migration gains accrue both from attracting migrants to the state and retaining more existing residents, highlighting the importance of developing policies that do both," Johnson wrote.
"Such policies need to ensure that New Hampshire communities have the plans, resources and infrastructure to support both migrants and existing residents with a quality education system, economic opportunities, affordable housing, access to health and child care, and opportunities to enjoy the state's scenic, environmental and recreational amenities," he said.
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