Hillsborough County · Merrimack Valley

Merrimack

New England's Premier Outlet Destination with 100+ Stores

About Merrimack

Merrimack sits squarely in southern New Hampshire's growth corridor, straddling the Everett Turnpike between Nashua and Manchester with easy access to both cities in under fifteen minutes. For over fifty years, the Anheuser-Busch brewery on a 300-acre campus along the Merrimack River was the town's most recognizable landmark — its Clydesdale horses drew 100,000 visitors a year at peak — though the facility is closing in early 2026. The Merrimack Premium Outlets pull shoppers from across the region, and Apple Cinemas Merrimack keeps families entertained with current releases. Originally part of the 1673 Dunstable grant, Merrimack was incorporated twice — first in 1746, then expanded in 1750 — and still carries traces of its four historic villages: Reeds Ferry, Souhegan Village, Thorntons Ferry, and South Merrimack. Despite being a sprawling, car-dependent suburb, Merrimack offers solid outdoor options for residents. The 563-acre Horse Hill Nature Preserve provides some of the best mountain biking and hiking trails in Hillsborough County, while Twin Bridge Park offers scenic river access along the Souhegan River with trails and picnic facilities. The Wildcat Conservation Area gives locals another spot for walking trails through protected woodland, and the craft beer scene has grown with spots like Able Ebenezer Brewing Company, which opened in 2017. Today families come for the strong school system and stay for the relatively low tax rate and quick highway commute, finding a practical balance between suburban convenience and access to outdoor recreation along the rivers that define the town's geography.

Why Merrimack?

Home to Fidelity Investments' largest campus and BAE Systems' 130-acre defense facility, plus PC Connection headquarters — offering strong local employment without a long commute
Six well-regarded public schools in SAU 26 serving PK through 12th grade, with programs including gifted and talented offerings at every level
No state income tax and no sales tax, plus the Merrimack Premium Outlets with 100+ stores for tax-free shopping
Wasserman Park offers swimming at Naticook Lake, sports fields, a dog park, playgrounds, and trails connecting to Horse Hill Nature Preserve
Convenient Everett Turnpike location puts Manchester 20 minutes north, Nashua 15 minutes south, and Boston about 55 minutes by car

Quick Facts

Population

26,632

County

Hillsborough

Region

Merrimack Valley

School District

SAU 26

Weather in Merrimack

38°F

Clear

Today

58 / 31

Sun

64 / 40

Mon

63 / 39

Map

Living in Merrimack

What you need to know about making Merrimack your home.

Major Employers

Fidelity InvestmentsBAE SystemsPC Connection / ConnectiononsemiMerrimack Premium OutletsMerrimack School District SAU 26Town of MerrimackAnheuser-Busch

Schools & Education

Merrimack School District (SAU 26) operates six public schools serving approximately 3,755 students from pre-K through 12th grade.

Cost of Living

Merrimack's cost of living runs about 19% above the national average, driven primarily by housing costs with a median home price near $500,000. New Hampshire's lack of state income tax and sales tax helps offset higher housing expenses.

Real Estate

$500,000 median home price

$22.11 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Merrimack

Commute Times

55 min

Boston

15 min

Nashua

35 min

Concord

25 min

Lowell, MA

20 min

Manchester

School District

School district

Merrimack School District(SAU 26)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

James Mastricola Elementary School

PK-4Elementary

Reeds Ferry School

PK-4Elementary

Thorntons Ferry School

PK-4Elementary

James Mastricola Upper Elementary School

5-6Elementary

Merrimack Middle School

7-8Middle School

Merrimack High SchoolTomahawks

9-12High School

Parks & Public Spaces

Twin Bridge ParkTown Park

Wildcat Conservation AreaConservation Area

Hidden Gems in Merrimack

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

Wildcat Falls Conservation Area

year-round

A surprisingly dramatic waterfall tucked away in a bustling suburban area between the turnpike and high school. The Souhegan River cascades down bedrock creating falls that seem too grand for Merrimack, thundering past homes before meeting the Merrimack River. The 87-acre preserve offers easy hiking trails, wild blueberry picking along the power line corridor, and swimming holes that locals treasure but few visitors discover.

Matthew Thornton Cemetery

year-round

A small, unassuming cemetery on a busy corner that holds extraordinary American history. Here rests Matthew Thornton, one of New Hampshire's three signers of the Declaration of Independence, with a simple gravestone reading 'The Honest Man.' The cemetery contains Merrimack's oldest grave from 1742 and weathered stones with fascinating inscriptions that tell stories of colonial life most visitors never discover.

Stowell Road Covered Bridge

year-round

One of the few covered bridges in southern New Hampshire, this red single-lane bridge crosses Baboosic Brook in a pastoral setting surrounded by equestrian farms. Built in 1990 by town employees on their own time, it spans just 32 feet but carries the charm of New England's covered bridge era. The beautiful stone walls leading to the bridge and its tucked-away location make it feel like a hidden piece of old New England.

Baboosic Lake (Merrimack side)

summer

While most know the Amherst town beach, the Merrimack portions of this warm-water lake offer quieter fishing spots and natural shoreline access. The 228-acre glacial lake teems with largemouth bass, pickerel, and sunfish, making it a local angler's secret. The hourglass-shaped lake gets its name from the Abenaki word for 'twins,' and its spring-fed waters maintain excellent clarity for swimming and paddling away from the crowds.