New Hampshire History and Politics

New Hampshire's official motto is "Live Free or Die," a libertarian philosophy that truly captures the state's historic resistance to regulation, in contrast to the paternalistic approach to government epitomized by some if its New England neighbors. In accord with its preference for limited government, the state constitution of New Hampshire is the only one to acknowledge a right of revolution, and the only one not to require the establishment of a public school system. There are no laws requiring adults to wear seatbelts or motorcycle helmets, drivers to carry automobile insurance, or public schools to provide kindergarten. New Hampshire also has no general sales tax and no personal income tax, no lieutenant governor and only one appellate court (most states have two). However, New Hampshire's 400-member House of Representatives is the largest in the U.S., with one for every 3,200 citizens, illustrating the state's emphasis on local control.

The citizens of New Hampshire also have a major impact on national politics, thanks to their participation in the nation's first presidential primary every four years since 1952. Other states, complaining that New Hampshire, a small and relatively homogenous state, has a disproportionate influence over the nominations of presidential candidates by the major parties, have attempted to undermine the primary's significance, unsuccessfully thus far. Presidential hopefuls continue to make pilgrimages to New Hampshire early in their campaigns, and a good showing in that first primary is considered crucial by many election handicappers.

New Hampshire Real Estate Information

New Hampshire is an affluent state, ranking 6th in the U.S in 2005 for household income, and an expensive state in which to buy real estate. The median home value of $240,100 ranks 11th highest in the nation, and property taxes are high. But real estate is in demand in New Hampshire, no doubt because the state consistently ranks near the top in quality of life surveys. New Hampshire is frequently rated one of the top five states for raising children, and was recently named the healthiest state in the nation (tied with Minnesota). It is a well-educated state, ranking among the top ten for the percentage of high school and college graduates. A growing number of highly educated professionals employed in the Boston metro area are commuting to homes in New Hampshire, particularly in the southern cities of Salem, Nashua and Derry.

New Hampshire Economy and Tourism Information

The Granite State's economy relies largely on manufacturing and tourism, with visitors coming for colorful leaves in the fall, skiing and snowboarding in the White Mountains in winter, and Lake Winnipesuakee and the beaches in summer. Unfortunately for tourists, the state's most famous landmark, a granite formation in Franconia Notch dubbed "the Old Man of the Mountain" for its resemblance to a craggy face, collapsed in 2003. New Hampshire is also home to Mount Washington, location of "the worst weather on Earth," where scientists at the summit's weather observatory clocked the fastest wind gust ever recorded on land (231 mph) in April 1934.

New Hampshire Demographics

As of 2005, New Hampshire has an estimated population of 1,309,940, consisting almost entirely of whites at 96.97%. The minority population is represented mainly by Hispanics and Blacks at 2% and 1% respectively.