The population of NH grew by 17,700 (1.3%) to 1,395,000 between April 2020, when the 2020 Census was conducted, and July 2022, according to new Census Bureau estimates. These population gains were widespread, occurring in each of the state’s 10 counties.
In contrast, only 52% of the nation’s counties gained population during the period. Such widespread population gains are surprising given that deaths exceeded births in nine of NH 10 counties, resulting in 4,100 more deaths than births statewide. Only Hillsborough County had slightly more births than deaths (0.1%) over the 27-month period. Covid certainly contributed to this loss, but annual deaths already exceeded births in the state before the pandemic.
New Hampshire’s entire population gain accrued because 21,600 more people moved to the state than left it. Most of these migrants came from within the United States, but the state also received a significant number of immigrants. Each of the state’s 10 counties gained migrants. The largest migration gain (5.7%) was in Carroll County, which has long attracted recreational and amenity migrants, including many from large urban areas. These recent data underscore the continuing importance of migration to the state’s future. Such migration gains result both from attracting migrants to the state and retaining the state’s existing residents.
Kenneth M. Johnson is senior demographer at the Carsey School of Public Policy, professor of sociology at the University of NH, and an Andrew Carnegie Fellow.
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