Moving to Nelson, New Hampshire

by btobers · Published June 21, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Nelson, New Hampshire is a small city located in the southwest corner of the state. It sits at the base of Mount Monadnock and is surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful forests. The climate in Nelson is typical of New England, with warm summers and cold winters. The average temperature in the summertime is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit while in the winter it can drop to near 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Nelson has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1743 when it was first settled by colonists from Massachusetts. It was an important stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War and has had a long tradition of activism for social change.

The economy of Nelson is based primarily on agriculture, with dairy farms being one of its main industries. There are also several businesses that cater to tourists who come to visit Mount Monadnock or take part in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing. The city also has two schools: Nelson Elementary School and Nelson High School. Both schools are highly rated by parents and students alike for their commitment to student achievement and providing quality education opportunities for all students regardless of background or economic status.

Nelson is home to several landmarks that make it a popular tourist destination including Mount Monadnock State Park, which offers visitors breathtaking views from its summit, as well as plenty of opportunities for camping, hiking, biking, bird watching, picnicking, and more. Other attractions include Franklin Pierce Homestead State Historic Site which celebrates Franklin Pierce’s life as America’s 14th President; Stonewall Farm which features a working farmstead complete with animals; The Stagecoach Inn Museum which offers interactive exhibits about early transportation; and Ashuelot River Park which offers fishing access points along its banks as well as trails for walking or biking along its shoreline.

Population: 634. Estimated population in July 2024: 647 (+2.1% change)
Males: 325 (51.3%), Females: 309 (48.7%)

Cheshire County

Demographics

Median resident age: 38.7 years
Median household income: $41,250
Median house value: $106,600

Population by Race

Races in Nelson:

White Non-Hispanic (96.5%)
Hispanic (1.6%)
Two or more races (1.4%)
American Indian (1.3%)
Black (0.6%)

Ancestries: English (32.5%), German (15.1%), Irish (12.5%), Scottish (7.6%), French Canadian (6.3%), French (5.8%).

Elevation: 1440 feet

Population by Education

Nelson, New Hampshire is a small town located in the southwestern corner of the state. According to the last official census, Nelson has a population of 1,566 people. The median age is 44.2 years old, and the gender breakdown is 49.6% male and 50.4% female. The majority of Nelson’s population is white (95%), with African American (1.4%), Native American (0.9%), Asian (0.8%) and Hispanic or Latino (1%) making up the remaining demographic groups in town.

The majority of Nelson’s residents are employed by either local businesses or commute to larger cities like Concord or Manchester for work opportunities. The largest job sectors are manufacturing, retail trade and health care services; however, there are also many small businesses that serve the local community and provide employment opportunities for residents as well as tourists who visit during peak seasons of the year.

Nelson has a unique culture that blends rural living with modern amenities that attract new residents every year; this includes access to some of New Hampshire’s best outdoor recreation activities like skiing, snowmobiling, fishing and camping in nearby White Mountain National Forest as well as access to cultural attractions like music festivals, art galleries and museums in nearby towns like Keene and Peterborough. This combination makes Nelson an attractive destination for those looking for an affordable place to call home while still enjoying all that New England has to offer!

For population 25 years and over in Nelson

High school or higher: 86.5%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 46.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 15.2%
Unemployed: 5.2%
Mean travel time to work: 25.8 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Nelson town

Never married: 21.7%
Now married: 63.4%
Separated: 0.6%
Widowed: 3.7%
Divorced: 10.5%

2.7% Foreign born (1.9% Europe, 0.8% Africa).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Nelson:

CHESHIRE MEDICAL CENTER,THE (about 12 miles; KEENE, NH)
MONADNOCK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 15 miles; PETERBOROUGH, NH)
ATHOL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 29 miles; ATHOL, MA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Nelson:

MANCHESTER (about 49 miles; MANCHESTER, NH; Abbreviation: MHT)
WORCESTER REGIONAL (about 53 miles; WORCESTER, MA; Abbreviation: ORH)
WESTOVER ARB/METROPOLITAN (about 63 miles; SPRINGFIELD/CHICOPEE, MA; Abbreviation: CEF)

Other public-use airports nearest to Nelson:

DILLANT-HOPKINS (about 12 miles; KEENE, NH; Abbreviation: EEN)
JAFFREY AIRPORT-SILVER RANCH (about 16 miles; JAFFREY, NH; Abbreviation: AFN)
HAWTHORNE-FEATHER AIRPARK (about 18 miles; HILLSBORO, NH; Abbreviation: 8B1)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Nelson:

KEENE STATE COLLEGE (about 9 miles; KEENE, NH; Full-time enrollment: 4,049)
MOUNT WACHUSETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 31 miles; GARDNER, MA; Full-time enrollment: 2,023)
FITCHBURG STATE COLLEGE (about 37 miles; FITCHBURG, MA; Full-time enrollment: 3,660)
NEW HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE (about 48 miles; MANCHESTER, NH; Full-time enrollment: 3,251)
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE (about 51 miles; HANOVER, NH; Full-time enrollment: 5,309)
QUINSIGAMOND COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 53 miles; WORCESTER, MA; Full-time enrollment: 3,359)
WORCESTER STATE COLLEGE (about 54 miles; WORCESTER, MA; Full-time enrollment: 3,846)

Libraries

Library in Nelson:

OLIVIA RODHAM MEMORIAL LIBRARY (Operating income: $15,848; Location: 1 NELSON COMMON; 6,853 books; 145 audio materials; 29 video materials; 22 serial subscriptions)