Merrimack County · Merrimack Valley

Epsom

Neville Peak Hiking and Blasty Bough Farm Brewery

Part of the Concord area

About Epsom

Epsom is a rural town in Merrimack County with a population of about 4,800 residents. The community maintains a small-town atmosphere with Epsom Central School serving local elementary students, while older students attend schools in the Pembroke/Allenstown district as part of SAU 53. The town operates with traditional New England municipal governance and has maintained its agricultural character over the years. The landscape consists of rolling hills, forests, and open fields that reflect the area's farming heritage. Epsom Circle 9 Ranch represents the type of agricultural and recreational businesses that fit the town's rural setting. These varied terrains provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, hunting, and exploring the outdoors, while the open spaces give residents room to breathe and enjoy the quiet that comes with country living. Residents appreciate the space and privacy that comes with larger lot sizes, while still having reasonable access to employment centers in Concord and the broader Merrimack Valley region. Local businesses like Blasty Bough Brewing Company add to the community fabric, giving neighbors a place to gather and supporting the town's growing reputation as a place where people can enjoy both rural tranquility and modern conveniences.

Why Epsom?

Part of Pembroke/Allenstown School District with established educational options
Rural setting with larger properties and agricultural character
Reasonable commute to Concord for state government jobs
Lower population density than more developed Merrimack County towns
Traditional New England town governance and community structure

Quick Facts

Population

4,834

County

Merrimack

Region

Merrimack Valley

School District

SAU 53

Weather in Epsom

55°F

Clear

Today

60 / 36

Fri

50 / 33

Sat

53 / 31

Map

Living in Epsom

What you need to know about making Epsom your home.

Major Employers

Town of EpsomEpsom Central SchoolEpsom Circle 9 Ranch

Schools & Education

Epsom is part of the Pembroke/Allenstown School District (SAU 53).

Cost of Living

Housing costs are generally in line with rural Merrimack County averages, with property taxes typical for New Hampshire towns (est.). The rural setting often means larger lots and more space for the money compared to more developed areas.

Real Estate

$385,000 (est.) median home price

$22.50 per $1,000 (est.) property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Epsom

Commute Times

45 min

Derry

1 hr 30 min

Boston

25 min

Concord

35 min

Manchester

School District

Regional district

Pembroke/Allenstown School District(SAU 53)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Pembroke.

Epsom serves as a district hub for students from nearby towns in this district.

District towns

Pembroke Chichester Allenstown Deerfield

Epsom local school (Pembroke/Allenstown School District)

PreK-12Elementary

Regional high school (in Pembroke) via Pembroke/Allenstown School District

PreK-12High School

Hidden Gems in Epsom

Beyond the well-known attractions, Epsom has spots that locals love and visitors rarely find.

Neville Peak Loop Trail

year-round

This 4-mile loop in Epsom Town Forest offers surprising variety for such a modest elevation gain. The summit provides far-reaching views to the White Mountains, and the trail passes through blueberry-covered ledges that locals love for both the berries and the sunset views. What makes it special is the beaver pond near the end - hikers consistently mention it as the highlight, teeming with life and offering a peaceful bench for contemplation.

Mill Pond and Historic Foundation Ruins

year-round

A serene 1.8-mile loop that winds through shaded forest to reach Mill Pond with lovely water views. Along the way, you'll discover the Mill and Tarleton Foundation ruins - remnants of an old sawmill that tell the story of Epsom's industrial past. The trail also passes several cellar holes where forgotten homesteads once stood, their stone-lined foundations still visible among the trees.

The Old Meetinghouse

year-round

This beautifully restored 1861 Freewill Baptist Church sits adjacent to the library on Dover Road. Nearly demolished, it was saved by locals and moved to this prominent location in 2007. The white clapboard building showcases a mix of Federal, Italianate, and Greek Revival architecture, and its eight original stained glass windows were painstakingly restored over 15 years at a cost of $50,000. It's a testament to community preservation efforts.

Major Andrew McClary Historical Marker

year-round

More than just another roadside marker, this commemorates a fascinating local hero - a 6.5-foot-tall former boxer and Rogers' Ranger who left his plow in the furrow when he heard about Bunker Hill. McClary was the highest-ranking American officer killed in that battle, and his story connects Epsom directly to the founding of the nation. The marker stands near where his homestead once was.

Blasty Bough Brewing Company

year-round

Hidden away on Griffin Road atop McClary Hill Farm, this nano-brewery occupies a historic farmhouse on the same hilltop where Scots-Irish immigrants ran a tavern decades before the Revolution. The beer lawn lets you bring chairs and blankets to spread out in their field, and upstairs they host intimate unplugged folk concerts in an acoustically excellent listening room. It's farm-to-kettle brewing in a country setting with gorgeous views.