Waterville Valley, New Hampshire Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, is a small town located in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire. With a population of fewer than 500 people, Waterville Valley is a quiet and secluded place to live. The town is surrounded by mountains and forests, providing plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, skiing, and snowboarding. The climate in Waterville Valley is typical of the northeastern United States – cold winters with lots of snowfall, and mild summers.

The history of Waterville Valley dates back to the mid-1800s when it was first settled by pioneers from Maine who were looking for a place to call home in the White Mountains region. Since then, it has developed into a popular tourist destination for its picturesque views and close proximity to other attractions such as Mount Washington and Franconia Notch State Park.

Politically speaking, Waterville Valley is part of Grafton County and falls within the state’s 2nd Congressional District. It is governed by a board of selectmen who are elected every two years. The community also has its own police department which provides law enforcement services to residents and visitors alike.

The economy of Waterville Valley revolves mostly around tourism – with many hotels, restaurants, shops and ski resorts located throughout the town. There are also several businesses that provide services such as accounting or legal advice to both local residents and tourists alike.

The town also has several schools including an elementary school which serves pre-K through 6th grade students. There are no high schools in Waterville Valley but students can attend nearby schools in Plymouth or Lincoln after completing 6th grade at WVES (Waterville Valley Elementary School).

Finally, some landmarks that can be found in Waterville Valley include Mt Tecumseh (the highest peak in the area), White Mountain National Forest (which borders the town on three sides), Silver Lake (a popular spot for fishing) and Town Square (the centerpiece of downtown).

Population: 257. Estimated population in July 2024: 267 (+3.9% change)
Males: 131 (51.0%), Females: 126 (49.0%)

Grafton County

Demographics

Median resident age: 45.3 years
Median household income: $40,417
Median house value: $362,500

Population by Race

Races in Waterville Valley:

  • White Non-Hispanic (96.5%)
  • Hispanic (1.6%)
  • Japanese (1.2%)
  • Other race (0.8%)
  • Other Asian (0.8%)

Ancestries: Irish (25.3%), English (14.4%), German (5.8%), United States (5.4%), French (4.7%), Italian (4.7%).

Elevation: 1519 feet

Population by Education

Waterville Valley is a town located in the White Mountain region of New Hampshire. It has a population of approximately 500 year-round residents, with an additional influx of visitors during the summer and winter months. The median household income is $54,000 per year, which is slightly higher than the national average. The cost of living in Waterville Valley is generally higher than most other towns in New Hampshire due to its location in the White Mountains and its popularity as a resort destination. Housing prices are above average for New Hampshire, with a median home value of around $400,000. Renters can expect to pay around $1,500 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. Groceries and other everyday items are also more expensive here than elsewhere in the state due to the cost of transporting goods into the area. However, many people find that these costs are worth it when they consider all that Waterville Valley has to offer as far as recreational activities and attractions go. With six ski mountains nearby and numerous trails for hiking, biking and paddling throughout the region, there is something for everyone here year-round. In addition to outdoor recreation opportunities, Waterville Valley also offers many cultural activities such as live music performances, art galleries and museums. With its beautiful scenery and abundance of activities, it’s easy to see why so many people choose Waterville Valley as their home or vacation destination!

For population 25 years and over in Waterville Valley

  • High school or higher: 95.1%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 51.1%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 18.1%
  • Unemployed: 8.4%
  • Mean travel time to work: 20.9 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Waterville Valley town

  • Never married: 23.3%
  • Now married: 57.6%
  • Separated: 2.9%
  • Widowed: 3.8%
  • Divorced: 12.4%

3.9% Foreign born (3.5% Europe).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Waterville Valley:

  • SPEARE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 17 miles; PLYMOUTH, NH)
  • MARY HITCHCOCK MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 24 miles; LEBANON, NH)
  • MEMORIAL HOSPITAL THE (about 27 miles; NORTH CONWAY, NH)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Waterville Valley:

  • MANCHESTER (about 71 miles; MANCHESTER, NH; Abbreviation: MHT)
  • PEASE INTERNATIONAL TRADEPORT (about 77 miles; PORTSMOUTH, NH; Abbreviation: PSM)
  • PORTLAND INTL JETPORT (about 86 miles; PORTLAND, ME; Abbreviation: PWM)

Other public-use airports nearest to Waterville Valley:

  • MOULTONBORO (about 15 miles; MOULTONBORO, NH; Abbreviation: 5M3)
  • TWIN MOUNTAIN (about 21 miles; TWIN MOUNTAIN, NH; Abbreviation: 8B2)
  • PLYMOUTH MUNI (about 22 miles; PLYMOUTH, NH; Abbreviation: 1P1)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Waterville Valley:

  • PLYMOUTH STATE COLLEGE (about 17 miles; PLYMOUTH, NH; Full-time enrollment: 3,542)
  • DARTMOUTH COLLEGE (about 55 miles; HANOVER, NH; Full-time enrollment: 5,309)
  • NEW HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE (about 62 miles; MANCHESTER, NH; Full-time enrollment: 3,251)
  • SAINT JOSEPHS COLLEGE (about 66 miles; STANDISH, ME; Full-time enrollment: 2,376)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE-MAIN CAMPUS (about 68 miles; DURHAM, NH; Full-time enrollment: 12,586)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND-UNIVERSITY CAMPUS (about 79 miles; BIDDEFORD, ME; Full-time enrollment: 2,251)
  • NORWICH UNIVERSITY (about 82 miles; NORTHFIELD, VT; Full-time enrollment: 2,585)

Public primary/middle school in Waterville Valley:

  • WATERVILLE VALLEY ELEMENTARY (Students: 36; Location: 1 NOON PEAK RD; Grades: KG – 08)

Libraries

Library in Waterville Valley:

  • OSCEOLA LIBRARY (Operating income: $3,557; Location: 2 WEST BRANCH RD.; 3,863 books; 37 audio materials; 5 video materials)