Southwest NH Sees Population Bump Over Course of Pandemic
Recent gains represent a shift from previous years.
Recent gains represent a shift from previous years.
Water, sewer and three-phase power infrastructure is key for many forms of commercial development, but access to this infrastructure changes significantly between communities in Southwest New Hampshire.
Since 2000, those with a post-secondary education have grown to be the majority share of the population over 25 in Cheshire County. This is good news for the future of the workforce and local employers.
Enrollment across the region has shrunk faster than the statewide average.
While the region as a whole faced a small decrease in population from 2010-2020, the share of the region's population that identifies as a racial or ethnic minority has doubled over this same time period.
Certain communities, however, see growth.
Fundamental demographic shifts may be a primary cause.
Southwest NH faces stark wage disparities for workers across the region, with only moderate increases in earnings over the past twenty years
Long-term trends show cause for concern even prior to the pandemic.
What are the implications for long-term demographic trends?