Forbes Magazine Names Three NH Towns Least Vulnerable

Forbes Magazine recently evaluated the strength of Main Streets across America, using August unemployment figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and 2007 Census data on median income, poverty, education and outstanding mortgage debt in 141 towns. Called micropolitan areas by the Census, these towns have an urban core of at least 10,000 people, but no more than 50,000.

The good news is that three NH communitiesConcord, Lebanon and Keenewere ranked among the top 10 of America's least vulnerable towns.

According to Forbes, Lebanon, N.H., which ranked as the number one least vulnerable Main Street in the country, scored high in most categories, including median income ($51,099), unemployment (2.6%) and the poverty rate (8.3%).

Concorad ranked seventh and Keene ranked number three as least vulnerable.