Hillsborough County · Merrimack Valley

Hudson

Former Home of Benson's Wild Animal Farm

About Hudson

Hudson sits directly across the Merrimack River from Nashua, connected by the Taylor Falls and Veterans Memorial bridges, and functions as a more affordable residential alternative to its larger neighbor. The town's biggest draw is Benson Park, a 166-acre green space that was once Benson's Wild Animal Farm — a roadside zoo founded in 1924 that housed over 550 animals and ran 27 shows a day before closing in 1987. One of its most famous residents was Colossus, a 500-pound gorilla who once "ran" in the New Hampshire presidential primary as a publicity stunt. The state bought the land as wetlands mitigation in the 1990s, and the town reopened it in 2010 with walking trails, dog parks, ponds, and a small museum preserving the zoo's history. Hudson's population has grown steadily since the 1960s, fueled by families who want southern New Hampshire convenience — the Massachusetts border is minutes away — without Nashua's density or price tag. Alvirne High School, named for the Alfred and Virginia Hills family who once owned much of the town's northern land, has served as the community's anchor since 1950.

Why Hudson?

No state income tax or sales tax — New Hampshire's tax advantage maximizes take-home pay for commuters to Boston and Nashua
Direct highway access via Route 3 and I-93 puts Nashua 15 minutes away, Manchester 20 minutes, and downtown Boston about 50 minutes
Benson Park offers 166 acres of trails, a pond, and community events on the grounds of the former Benson's Wild Animal Farm
BAE Systems, Benchmark Electronics, and other defense and tech employers provide local jobs without a long commute
Hudson School District (SAU 81) operates six schools serving pre-K through 12, including the career and technical programs at Alvirne High School

Quick Facts

Population

25,892

County

Hillsborough

Region

Merrimack Valley

School District

SAU 81

Weather in Hudson

54°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

57 / 32

Sun

62 / 39

Mon

62 / 40

Map

Living in Hudson

What you need to know about making Hudson your home.

Major Employers

BAE SystemsBenchmark ElectronicsON Semiconductor / GTATMarket BasketHudson School District / SAU 81Town of HudsonJabil CircuitMeyerDC

Schools & Education

Hudson School District (SAU 81) serves approximately 3,500 students across six public schools. The Early Learning Center campus includes Library Street School (K) and Dr. H.O. Smith (PK-1). Students in grades 2-5 attend either Hills Garrison or Nottingham West Elementary. Hudson Memorial School serves grades 6-8, and Alvirne High School (opened 1950) serves grades 9-12 and houses the Wilbur H. Palmer Career and Technical Center.

Cost of Living

Hudson's cost of living runs roughly 12% above the national average, driven primarily by housing costs that are about 22% higher than the U.S. median. The absence of state income tax and sales tax partially offsets those housing costs, and grocery prices track close to the national average.

Real Estate

$490,000 median home price

$17.11 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Hudson

Commute Times

52 min

Boston, MA

25 min

Lowell, MA

15 min

Nashua, NH

45 min

Concord, NH

20 min

Manchester, NH

School District

School district

Hudson School District(SAU 81)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Library Street School (Early Learning Center)

KElementary

Dr. H.O. Smith Elementary School (Early Learning Center)

PK-1Elementary

Hills Garrison Elementary School

2-5Elementary

Nottingham West Elementary School

2-5Elementary

Hudson Memorial School

6-8Middle School

Alvirne High SchoolBroncos

9-12High School

Parks & Public Spaces

Benson ParkTown Park

Hidden Gems in Hudson

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

Benson Park

year-round

The ruins of the former Benson's Wild Animal Farm create one of New Hampshire's most unique destinations. Walk through abandoned animal enclosures including the old gorilla house and elephant barn, explore the vintage miniature railway that still winds through the grounds, and marvel at the giant Old Woman's Shoe structure that remains from this beloved zoo that operated from 1926 to 1987. The mix of melancholy ruins and peaceful nature trails makes for a hauntingly beautiful experience that few visitors stumble upon.

Alvirne Hills House

year-round

This magnificent 1890 Shingle-style Victorian mansion serves as Hudson's Historical Society museum and is one of the region's best-preserved summer estates. Built by Dr. Alfred K. Hills and named after him and his wife Virginia, the architect-designed house sits majestically on Derry Road with its distinctive turret and wraparound porches. Most locals drive past without knowing they can tour this National Register property that's filled with Hudson artifacts and period rooms that transport you to the Gilded Age.

Old Hudson Center Cemetery

year-round

Tucked away on the lower east corner of Hudson Center Common, this tiny half-acre cemetery dates to 1775 and holds the town's earliest residents. The weathered slate headstones tell stories of Hudson's founding families, with the oldest marked grave being John Haselton Smith who died in 1778. What makes this spot special is its hidden location just above Kahil's Sub Shop and the fact that many more souls rest here unmarked than those with visible stones - locals estimate unmarked graves outnumber marked ones by 200-300%.