Hubbry Logo
Exeter, New HampshireExeter, New HampshireMain
Open search
Exeter, New Hampshire
Community hub
Exeter, New Hampshire
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter, New Hampshire
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Exeter is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. Its population was 16,049 at the 2020 census,[2] up from 14,306 at the 2010 census. Exeter was the county seat until 1997, when county offices were moved to neighboring Brentwood. Home to Phillips Exeter Academy, a private university-preparatory school, Exeter is situated where the Exeter River becomes the tidal Squamscott River.

Key Information

The urban center of town, where 10,109 people resided at the 2020 census,[3] is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Exeter census-designated place.

History

[edit]
The Gilman Garrison House in 1906

For thousands of years prior to European colonization, the area was inhabited by Pennacook Abenaki villagers. The location was originally known as "M'Squamskook", meaning "Falls at the Place of the Salmon" in Abenaki language, and would later become known as "Squamscott".[4]

About 100 Pennacook would return to the Squamscott in the spring to fish, and raise corn, pumpkin, and pigeons, and had relations to other Pennacook at Concord, Sewall's Island, and Manchester.[4] They fished at the falls where the Exeter River becomes the tidal Squamscott, the site around which the future town of Exeter grew. The falls in Brentwood were known to have been a favorite fishing site of the native population.[5]

1638 settlement

[edit]

On April 3, 1638, John Wheelwright, a clergyman exiled from the Puritan theocracy Massachusetts Bay Colony, purchased the land from Wehanownowit, the sagamore. Wheelwright took with him about 175 individuals to found a town he named after Exeter[6] in Devon, England. Local government was linked with Massachusetts until New Hampshire became a separate colony in 1679, and counties were introduced in 1769.

One of the four original townships in the province, Exeter originally included Newmarket, Newfields, Brentwood, Epping, and Fremont. On July 4, 1639, 35 freemen of Exeter signed the Exeter Combination, a document written by Wheelwright to establish their own government.[7] The settlers hunted, planted and fished, raised cattle and swine, or made shakes (shingles) and barrel staves.

Thomas Wilson established the town's first grist mill on the eastern side of the island[clarification needed] in the lower falls. This mill was established within the first season of settling in Exeter, and his son Humphrey assumed control of the mill in 1643, when Thomas died.[8]

Gilman family

[edit]

Some early settlers came from Hingham, Massachusetts, including the Gilman, Folsom, and Leavitt families.[9][10] In 1647, Edward Gilman Jr. established the first sawmill, and by 1651, Gilman had a 50-ton sloop which he used to conduct business in lumber, staves, and masts. Gilman was lost at sea in 1653 while traveling to England to purchase equipment for his mills,[11] but his family later became prominent as lumbermen, shipbuilders, merchants, and statesmen.[12][13] The Gilman Garrison House and the American Independence Museum were both former homes of the Gilman family.[14][15] The Gilman family also donated the land on which Phillips Exeter Academy stands, including the academy's original Yard, the oldest part of campus.[16] Members of the Gilman family have played an important role in the United States government, including Founding Father Nicholas Gilman, as well as treasurers, a governor, representatives to the General Assembly and judges to the General Court of New Hampshire.[17][18]

A Declaration of Rights and Plan of Government for the State of New-Hampshire, adopted by New Hampshire Convention at Exeter, June 1779

The Gilman family began trading as far as the West Indies with ships they owned out of Portsmouth. In an 1803 voyage, the 180-ton clipper Oliver Peabody, owned by Gov. John Taylor Gilman, Oliver Peabody, Col. Gilman Leavitt, and others, was boarded by brigs belonging to the Royal Navy under command of Admiral Horatio Nelson. Enforcing a blockade against the French, Nelson offered ship Captain Stephen Gilman of Exeter a glass of wine and paid him for his cargo in Spanish dollars.[19] The trip demonstrates how far afield the merchants of Exeter reached.

1700s

[edit]

The last Native American raid on Exeter was in August 1723, and by 1725, the tribes had left the area.[citation needed] In 1774, the rebellious Provincial Congress began to meet in the Exeter Town House after colonial governor John Wentworth banned it from the colonial capitol at Portsmouth. In July 1775, the Provincial Congress had the provincial records seized from royal officials in Portsmouth and brought to Exeter, as well, so Exeter became New Hampshire's capital, an honor it held for 14 years.[20]

Jude Hall memorial stone

Exeter had a significant African American community, with its first census in 1790 recording 81 free African Americans (in 14 households, 11 of which they owned), and two enslaved African Americans.[21] This was the highest percentage of African Americans in any settlement in the state at 4.7%. Many African Americans, such as Jude Hall (namesake of Jude's Pond on Drinkwater Road),[22] earned their freedom fighting in the Revolutionary War, and many settled near the west bank of the Squamscott River after the war.[23] Jude Hall is buried in the Winter Street cemetery.

1800s

[edit]

Reverend Thomas Paul of the African Meeting House in Boston was born in Exeter near this time, and later in 1822, abolitionist poet James Monroe Whitfield, a nephew of Jude Hall. In the late 1800s, two men had two dry-goods stores on Water Street, John Garrison Cutler and George Harris, who both had very high net worths at the time.[citation needed]

In 1827, the Exeter Manufacturing Company was established beside the river, using water power to produce cotton textiles. Other businesses manufactured shoes, saddles, harnesses, lumber, boxes, bricks, carriages, and bicycles. In 1836, the last schooner was launched at Exeter. In 1840, the Boston & Maine Railroad entered the town.[24]

According to former governor Hugh Gregg, the United States Republican Party was born in Exeter on October 12, 1853, at the Squamscott Hotel at a secret meeting of Amos Tuck with other abolitionists. At this meeting, Tuck proposed forming a new political party to be called Republican. Upon learning of Tuck's meeting, in December 1853, Horace Greeley said, "I think 'Republican' would be the best name, it will sound both Jeffersonian and Madisonian, and for that reason will take well."[25] Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president, visited Exeter in 1860. His son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was attending Phillips Exeter Academy, the college preparatory school founded in 1781 by John Phillips. The town was also once home to the Robinson Female Seminary, established in 1867 and previously known as the Exeter Female Academy (established in 1826). Its landmark Second Empire schoolhouse, completed in 1869, burned in October 1961.[26]

1900s

[edit]

Joanna Pellerin, president of the Rockingham Land Trust, described the Squamscott River of the 1940s:

[The] Squamscott was a place to stay away from. It stank, and was filled with dyes from the mills and sewage dumped from along Water Street.[5]

In 1922, it was affected by the 1922 New England Textile Strike, shutting down the mills in the town over an attempted wage cut and hours increase.[27][28]

In September 1965, Exeter was involved in UFO history when local teenager Norman Muscarello and two Exeter police officers, Eugene Bertrand and David Hunt, witnessed a bright red UFO at close range. Their sighting attracted national publicity and became the focus of a bestselling book, Incident at Exeter, by journalist John G. Fuller. The Air Force eventually admitted that it had been unable to identify the strange object, and it is still considered by many UFO buffs to be one of the most impressive UFO sightings on record.

Architecture

[edit]
Phillips Church in 1911

Exeter has a considerable number of architectural structures. Arthur Gilman designed the Old Town Hall of 1855. The Old Public Library of 1894, which now is home to the Exeter Historical Society, was designed by the Boston firm of Rotch & Tilden. Ralph Adams Cram, who trained with Rotch & Tilden, designed both Phillips Church, built in 1897, and Tuck High School, built in 1911. Cram's firm of Cram & Ferguson designed the entire Phillips Exeter Academy campus between 1908 and 1950. More recent is the Academy Library, built in 1971 to the design of Louis I. Kahn. Sculptor Daniel Chester French created the town's war memorial in 1922. Architect Henry Bacon designed in 1916 the Swasey Pavilion at Exeter's town square.[citation needed]

Other features of the town include the Swasey Parkway, which replaced the wharves and warehouses along the Squamscott River, and the Ioka Theatre of 1915 on Water Street. The latter was built by Edward Mayer, an Exeter judge and resident. Mayer's opening feature was The Birth of a Nation, by D. W. Griffith. The theatre's curious name was proposed in a contest by a young woman with an enthusiasm for Scouting. Ioka was a Native American word meaning "playground".[citation needed]

  • Town Offices c. 1912
    Town Offices c. 1912
  • Squamscott Falls in 1907
    Squamscott Falls in 1907
  • Phillips Exeter in 1910
    Phillips Exeter in 1910
  • Linden Street c. 1909
    Linden Street c. 1909
  • Exeter Town Hall, September 2008
    Exeter Town Hall, September 2008
  • Powder House, 1936
    Powder House, 1936
  • Giddings Tavern, 1935
    Giddings Tavern, 1935
  • Liberty Emery House, 1935
    Liberty Emery House, 1935
  • Simeon Folsom House, 1935
    Simeon Folsom House, 1935
  • First Congregational Church, c. 1870
    First Congregational Church, c. 1870
  • Lower falls in winter, c. 1870
    Lower falls in winter, c. 1870
  • Town Hall, c. 1870
    Town Hall, c. 1870
  • Bellows House, Front Street, c. 1870
    Bellows House, Front Street, c. 1870
  • Robinson Female Seminary, now defunct, c. 1870
    Robinson Female Seminary, now defunct, c. 1870
  • Front Street, c. 1870
    Front Street, c. 1870
  • Phillips Exeter Academy, c. 1870
    Phillips Exeter Academy, c. 1870

Geography and wildlife

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has an area of 20.0 square miles (51.7 km2), of which 19.6 square miles (50.8 km2) are land and 0.3 square miles (0.9 km2) is covered by water, comprising 1.80% of the town.[1] Exeter is drained by the Exeter River, which feeds the tidal Squamscott River in the center of town. Exeter's highest point is 250 feet (76 m) above sea level, on Great Hill at the town's southwestern corner. Exeter lies fully within the Piscataqua River (Coastal) watershed.[29]

Rivers

[edit]

In 2005, the small herring-like alewife fish was present in the Exeter River, though its numbers were fewer than in previous years. Local accounts suggest that the average length of the alewife was six inches. At this point in time the Exeter River was dammed in downtown Exeter, and a fish ladder would occasionally have a visible chad, lamprey eel, or trout.[5]

Water from the small freshwater Dearborn Brook is stored in the Exeter Reservoir to support municipal drinking water system. A 2005 plan to manage Dearborn Brook was submitted by the Rockingham Planning Commission through the Clean Water Act.[30] Dearborn Brook is a freshwater tributary to the tidal Squamscott River.[31]

In fall 2015, the majority of the rivers in Exeter were impaired from stormwater and snowmelt-driven runoff pollutants, including large portions of Exeter River and Squamscott River, Dudley Brook, Little River, and Piscassic River.[32]

In 2016, the Great Dam that had separated the Exeter River and the Squamscott River was removed. The removal of the dam and the fish ladder caused the alewife population to rebound, with over 100,000 fish as compared to 1,628 in 1970 and 15,626 in 1981. Hawks and eagles have been observed hunting the fish.[33]

Trees

[edit]

A 2017 town survey found that most human-planted trees in the urban areas of Exeter are broadleaf deciduous. Some significant species include Norway maples, red maple, oak, sugar maples, hedge maples, and ash.[34]

Exeter also maintains a list of approved trees for planting, which include 30 trees native to the area, four trees native to the Eastern U.S., and 27 non-native species. Native trees include: Red maple, Sugar maple, Freeman maple, Serviceberry or juneberry, River birch, American hornbeam, Hackberry, Common hackberry, Pagoda dogwood, Flowering dogwood, Hawthorn, American beech, Eastern red cedar, Black gum, Ironwood, White spruce (Picea alba), Pitch pine, White pine, American sycamore, Pin cherry, White oak, Swamp white oak, Scarlet oak, Bur oak, Red oak, Black willow, Sassafras, American mountain ash (Sorbus americana 'dwarfcrown'), American linden, and American elm.[34]

Wildlife

[edit]

Exeter contains the publicly-owned 235 acre Conner Farm Wildlife Management Area. This area contains about 90 acres of open fields, as well as upland forests of red oak, white oak, hemlock, and white pine. There are also black cherry, hickory, hop hornbeam, aspen, and birch trees. Additionally, there is a small freshwater marsh, a stream, and beaver ponds. Animals include deer, turkey, and migratory waterfowl.[35]

Adjacent municipalities

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17901,722—
18001,7270.3%
18101,7591.9%
18202,11420.2%
18302,75930.5%
18402,9256.0%
18503,32913.8%
18603,309−0.6%
18703,3471.1%
18803,5696.6%
18904,28420.0%
19004,92214.9%
19104,897−0.5%
19204,604−6.0%
19304,8725.8%
19405,39810.8%
19505,6644.9%
19607,24327.9%
19708,89222.8%
198011,02424.0%
199012,48113.2%
200014,05812.6%
201014,3061.8%
202016,04912.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[2][36]
Exeter High School

As of the 2010 census, there were 14,306 people, 6,114 households, and 3,729 families residing in the town. The population density was 729.9 inhabitants per square mile (281.8/km2). The 6,496 housing units had an average density of 331.4 per square mile (128.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.5% White, 0.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.2% some other race, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.77% of the population.[37]

Of the 6,114 households, 29.1% had children under 18 living with them, 47.5% were headed by married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were not families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% were someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.28, and the average family size was 2.92.[37]

In the town, the age distribution of the population was 22.6% under 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 44.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.[37]

For the period 2007–2011, the estimated median annual income for a household in the town was $68,777, and for a family was $95,435. Male full-time workers had a median income of $64,632 versus $41,088 for females. The per capita income for the town was $38,018. About 2.5% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under 18 and 4.1% of those 65 or over.[38]

Government and politics

[edit]
Exeter town presidential vote[39]
Year Democratic Republican Third parties
2020 66.3% 6,820 32.3% 3,321 1.4% 148
2016 59.6% 5,514 35.5% 3,286 4.9% 445
2012 58.2% 5,194 40.5% 3,614 0.8% 75
2008 60.5% 5,258 38.7% 3,365 0.8% 71

Exeter is located in New Hampshire's 1st congressional district, represented by Democrat Chris Pappas (D-Manchester). In the New Hampshire Senate, Exeter is located within New Hampshire's 24th State Senate district, represented by Democrat Debra Altschiller (D-Stratham).[40]

In the New Hampshire House of Representatives, Exeter has two districts covering the town. Rockingham 11 is a district with four seats covering just the town of Exeter; it is currently represented by four Democrats: Julie D. Gilman, Gaby M. Grossman, Linda J. Haskins, and Mark Paige. Exeter also shares Rockingham 33, a single-member district, with the several other nearby towns; it is represented by Democrat Alexis H. Simpson (D-Exeter).[41]

Like much of eastern Rockingham County, Exeter is strongly Democratic.[39]

Transportation

[edit]

The Amtrak Downeaster stops at Exeter, providing passenger rail service to Portland and Boston.

Exeter is served by four exits (9–12) from Route 101, and Interstate 95 is about 5 miles (8 km) to the east. Routes 27, 85, 108, 111, and 111A meet at the town's center, and Route 88 is on the east side of the town.

Economy

[edit]

In 1990, the SIGARMS, Inc. company moved to Exeter. When it was bought by Michael Lüke and Thomas Ortmeier in October 2000, the name was changed to SIG Sauer Inc. Today, SIG Sauer is one of the world's largest firearms manufacturing entities.[42]

Bauer Hockey's global headquarters is in Exeter.[43]

Notable people

[edit]
Main article: List of people from Exeter, New Hampshire

Sites of interest

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Exeter, New Hampshire

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Exeter is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States, situated in the Seacoast region along the Squamscott River with a 2020 population of 16,049. Founded in 1638 by English settlers, the town played a central role in New Hampshire's colonial and revolutionary governance, hosting the Provincial Congress that drafted the state's first constitution in 1776 and serving as the provincial capital during the American Revolutionary War. Exeter is renowned for Phillips Exeter Academy, a coeducational independent boarding school established in 1781 that emphasizes the Harkness method of seminar-style discussion-based learning and draws students from across the United States and numerous countries. The town's economy reflects its historical and educational prominence, with a median household income of $96,483 and over 55 percent of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher, supporting sectors including education, professional services, and light manufacturing amid a landscape of preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture.

History

Colonial Settlement and Early Development (1638–1775)

Reverend John , banished from the in November 1637 for his antinomian religious views associated with the Hutchinson circle, led a group of followers northward during the winter of 1637–1638 to establish a new settlement. Arriving in the area in March 1638 amid deep snow, Wheelwright selected the site at the falls where the freshwater Exeter River meets the tidal Squamscott River, a location advantageous for water-powered industry due to the drop in elevation. On April 3, 1638, he and associates purchased a large tract of land from Squamscott sagamore Wehanownowit, whose tribe used the region primarily as a summer residence amid forests, marshes, and meadows. This acquisition formalized European claims, with the deed specifying rights to the land and its resources, though the Squamscott population had already been diminished by diseases introduced earlier by European contact. Initially operating as an independent commonwealth without allegiance to or the emerging settlements, Exeter's inhabitants adopted the Exeter Combination on July 4, 1639, pledging to govern themselves according to laws derived from the word of God and to defend mutual rights. established the First Congregational Church, serving as its minister and shaping the community's religious life. Conflicts with authorities persisted, leading to 's departure in 1643; the town then submitted to jurisdiction, remaining under its influence until 's separation in 1679. This period saw the construction of basic infrastructure, including a at the lower Squamscott falls shortly after settlement, harnessing the river's power for grinding grain. Through the , developed as an agricultural hub, with settlers clearing land for farming fertile meadows and exploiting timber resources from surrounding white pine and oak forests for building and fuel. The Squamscott River facilitated limited trade and transport via gundalows, though the town's inland position relative to major ports constrained maritime growth until later. expanded gradually from an initial core of about ten families to approximately 1,741 residents by 1775, reflecting steady but modest immigration and natural increase amid the challenges of frontier life, including relations with remnant native groups and occasional conflicts. Early structures like garrison houses underscored defensive needs against potential indigenous raids, though no major attacks are recorded in this era.

Revolutionary Period and 19th-Century Growth

Following the outbreak of hostilities at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, Exeter served as the seat of the Third New Hampshire Provincial , which convened there due to its inland position shielding it from British naval threats along the coast. This assembly effectively established Exeter as 's revolutionary capital, a role it maintained throughout the war as the state government operated from the town amid the collapse of royal authority. Local residents contributed to the Continental Army, with men from Exeter participating in early engagements such as the in June 1775, and the town supplied regiments under leaders like Colonel Enoch Poor. In June 1775, the Provincial Congress drafted New Hampshire's first state constitution, the earliest such document among the colonies, which was adopted on January 5, 1776, six months before the Declaration of Independence; this framework included a Declaration of Rights emphasizing natural rights and limited government. Exeter's Powder House, constructed in 1771 at Duck Point on the Squamscott River, stored gunpowder for revolutionary forces and later for the War of 1812, underscoring the town's logistical support for the patriot cause. Upon returning from service, including Black veterans who numbered nearly a dozen in Exeter, these fighters integrated into the community, bolstering its postwar stability. Exeter hosted New Hampshire's ratifying convention for the U.S. Constitution, opening on February 13, 1788, at the local courthouse; after initial deadlock, delegates reconvened in June and approved on June 21, becoming the ninth state to join the union and enabling the new government's formation. President visited Exeter in 1789 during his northern tour, acknowledging its contributions. Into the , experienced modest growth, declining slightly to 1,722 residents by the U.S. from prewar levels before rising to 2,759 by 1830, reflecting agrarian stability rather than rapid expansion. Economic activity centered on the Squamscott River falls, fostering early milling and commerce along Water Street, with commercial development accelerating mid-century alongside influxes of Irish immigrants, who comprised over 100 of the 135 foreign-born by amid a total of 3,329. This period laid groundwork for later industrialization, driven by water power and proximity to Portsmouth's port, though growth remained constrained by agricultural focus and limited .

Industrialization and 20th-Century Changes

The industrialization of began in the early with the harnessing of water power from the Squamscott River falls for . In 1829, the Exeter Manufacturing Company constructed a large textile mill on the river's eastern bank, which became the town's largest building and primary industrial enterprise by the 1830s. Initially powered by four water wheels, the mill employed local women and girls, later incorporating Irish and French-Canadian immigrants as the workforce expanded. Work hours gradually shortened from over 12 hours daily before 1847 to 11 hours by 1854 and eight hours during the . Earlier wool processing included Nicholas Gilman's woolen factory established in 1803 on Water Street, which carded and manufactured local for about 20 years until it burned down around 1845–1850, though production ultimately dominated. Post-Civil War, Exeter diversified into with the Exeter Machine Works, which produced heavy boilers, radiators, blowers, and exhaust systems, many of which remain in older local homes. By , most smaller factories had closed, leaving the Exeter Manufacturing Company as the dominant industrial site near Great Falls. The Kent family managed the mill from 1895 to 1966, adapting production to sustain operations through much of the amid broader textile declines starting in the 1920s. In the mid-20th century, the mill faced increasing competition, leading to its sale to Deering-Milliken in 1966 and a shift toward synthetic textiles for industrial and automotive applications. Further changes included brief repurposing for Nike shoe production from 1981 to 1983 before conversion to apartments, reflecting the broader transition from heavy manufacturing to in former mill spaces. This decline mirrored New Hampshire's economic diversification away from traditional mills toward services and high-tech sectors by the late .

Post-World War II Expansion and Recent Developments

Following , Exeter faced acute housing shortages as returning veterans and families sought residences, mirroring national trends driven by economic expansion and the GI Bill's homeownership incentives. In the absence of ordinances until the late , parks proliferated, with trailer homes appearing as early as the late 1940s and expanding notably in the to accommodate demand. Industrial activity shifted along Portsmouth Avenue, which developed into a key commercial and light manufacturing corridor post-war, hosting businesses that capitalized on proximity to highways and the Squamscott River while traditional textile mills like the Exeter Manufacturing Company peaked at 450 employees and $18 million in sales by 1952 before broader regional declines set in. Suburbanization accelerated through the 1960s and 1970s, fueled by New Hampshire's overall population doubling east of the Mississippi and commuter access to Boston via improved roads like U.S. Route 1, transforming Exeter from a mill town into a bedroom community with residential subdivisions replacing farmland. The town's population rose from 11,024 in 1980 to 16,205 by 2024, reflecting sustained inflows tied to Phillips Exeter Academy's prestige, low taxes, and regional service-sector jobs. In recent decades, Exeter has prioritized infrastructure modernization and housing amid New Hampshire's housing shortage. The Gateway to Exeter project broke ground in summer 2024, adding 224 multifamily units on Epping Road to address affordability pressures. Redevelopment of the Ioka Theater site continues, aiming to revive downtown commercial space, while 34 townhomes at 76 Portsmouth Avenue commenced construction in 2025 as phase one of a larger mixed-use initiative. Public investments include completed downtown sidewalk expansions on Water, Front, and High Streets in 2023; a conceptual public safety complex design; NH Route 27 corridor studies for traffic efficiency; and proposals for upgrades featuring accessible facilities and waiting areas to enhance rail connectivity. Solar array proposals on the town underscore efforts.

Geography and Environment

Location and Topography

Exeter occupies a position in Rockingham County, southeastern , with geographic coordinates approximately 42°59′N 70°57′W. The town encompasses 20.1 square miles in total area, comprising 19.8 square miles of land and 0.3 square miles of inland water. The topography of Exeter reflects its placement within the Coastal Lowland , shaped by underlying , Pleistocene glaciation, and subsequent fluvial and deposition. Elevations vary from near along watercourses to a maximum of about 200 feet above , with an average of 79 feet. The features gently rolling hills interspersed with flat lowlands, influenced by glacial and outwash deposits, as documented in surficial geologic mapping of the region. The Squamscott River traverses the town, contributing to localized relief through its valley and associated falls, which drop over 20 feet in the central area, creating a modest but notable topographic break amid the otherwise subdued landscape. This riverine feature, combined with proximity to the Atlantic Ocean approximately 10 miles eastward, underscores Exeter's coastal-influenced without direct shoreline exposure.

Hydrology and Rivers

The Exeter-Squamscott River forms the principal hydrological feature of Exeter, New Hampshire, originating as the Exeter River from spring-fed ponds in Chester and flowing approximately 33 miles eastward before transitioning into the tidal Squamscott River at downtown Exeter. The combined watershed encompasses about 128 square miles (81,726 acres) across portions of 12 towns in Rockingham and Strafford counties, draining ultimately into Great Bay, an estuary of the system. This river supports local ecology but faces impairment from pollutants, including excess nitrogen, which contributes to in receiving waters like Great Bay. Hydrologically, the upper Exeter River exhibits perennial flow from groundwater sources, with meandering characteristics through forested and agricultural lands, while the lower Squamscott segment experiences tidal influences that extend upstream, modulating water levels and facilitating during high . The system includes notable features such as Squamscott Falls in , where historical mills harnessed hydraulic power, though modern management prioritizes restoration and flood control. Water quality monitoring by entities like the Town of and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services reveals ongoing challenges, with segments designated as impaired for aquatic life due to , legacy industrial contaminants, and agricultural nutrients. Flooding represents a recurrent hydrological risk, driven by heavy rainfall, snowmelt, and tidal surges, with significant events recorded in May 2006—when record deluges swelled the river and damaged —and April 2007, which set peak discharges at nearby gauges. From 1996 to 2005, multiple high-flow incidents correlated with seasonal thaws and storms, impacting low-lying areas along the river's course through . Current assessments indicate moderate flood vulnerability, affecting approximately 242 properties over the next 30 years, particularly in the 100-year and tidal reaches, prompting plans focused on resilience and reduction.

Climate Patterns

Exeter experiences a classified as Dfb under the Köppen system, featuring cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers with precipitation distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. The average annual temperature is approximately 49°F (9.4°C), with temperatures typically ranging from a January low of 19°F (-7°C) to a July high of 81°F (27°C); extremes rarely fall below 5°F (-15°C) or exceed 89°F (32°C). Winters are marked by frequent snowfall, averaging around 50 inches annually near coastal stations, with nor'easters contributing to heavy accumulations and occasional blizzards. Summer months bring higher humidity and risks, while fall and spring transitions often involve variable including events, with the last spring typically by mid-May. Annual totals about 51 inches (1292 mm), including rainfall and the liquid equivalent of snow, supporting the region's temperate forests but also leading to periodic flooding from rivers like the Squamscott. Historical weather records indicate vulnerability to extratropical storms and remnants of tropical systems, such as the which brought severe winds and flooding to the area, though site-specific extremes for are proxied by nearby data showing record highs near 100°F and lows below 0°F in prolonged cold snaps. Recent decades have seen slight warming trends consistent with broader patterns, with fewer extreme cold days but increased precipitation variability.

Flora, Fauna, and Ecological Events

Exeter's flora reflects the mixed hardwood-conifer forests characteristic of southern New Hampshire's coastal plain, dominated by native species such as red maple (Acer rubrum), eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), and American beech (Fagus grandifolia), alongside understory plants like pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) and poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). Riparian zones along the Squamscott River support wetland-adapted natives including buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), which provide habitat structure and seasonal fruit for wildlife. These species contribute to soil stabilization and nutrient cycling in the Exeter-Squamscott watershed, though invasive plants like Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) pose threats to biodiversity by outcompeting natives. Fauna in Exeter includes a mix of terrestrial mammals such as (Odocoileus virginianus), eastern coyotes ( latrans), and occasional black bears (Ursus americanus), which utilize forested edges and river corridors for foraging. Avian species are diverse, with bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) nesting near the Squamscott River, drawn by fish populations. Aquatic life in the river features stocked trout including (Salmo trutta), eastern (Salvelinus fontinalis), and (Oncorhynchus mykiss), alongside endemic river herring (Alosa pseudoharengus) and American eels (Anguilla rostrata), which migrate through the tidally influenced estuary connecting to Great Bay. Amphibians and reptiles, such as blue-spotted salamanders (Ambystoma laterale), thrive in vernal pools and wetlands, supporting the local food web. Ecological events in Exeter have included contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), detected in municipal water supplies by 2016 and confirmed carcinogenic in quarterly reports through 2018, originating from upstream sources like foams and necessitating upgrades and federal oversight. The town faces moderate flood risk, with 242 properties vulnerable over the next 30 years due to Squamscott River overflows during storms, as mapped by hydrological models. In 2025, debates over removing Pickpocket Dam highlighted tensions between restoring migratory passage for like eels and maintaining recreational impoundments, reflecting ongoing to balance habitat restoration and human use. Conservation initiatives by the Exeter Conservation Commission focus on removal and habitat protection along river corridors to preserve .

Demographics

The population of Exeter experienced modest growth through much of the , accelerating in the late 20th and early 21st centuries amid broader regional economic expansion in New Hampshire's Seacoast area. Decennial data indicate a 15% increase from 1980 to 1990, reflecting in-migration tied to suburban development and proximity to employment centers like . Growth slowed in subsequent decades but remained positive, with the town recording 14,306 residents in the 2010 and 16,049 in the 2020 Census, a 12.2% rise over the decade. This outpaced the national average of 7.4% for the same period, driven by net domestic migration rather than natural increase, as New Hampshire's overall population gains have stemmed primarily from inflows seeking lower taxes and lifestyle advantages over births or reduced mortality.
Census YearPopulationDecennial % Change
201014,306-
202016,049+12.2%
Recent estimates show continued expansion, reaching 16,205 residents by 2024, supported by sectors such as , , and retail that attract families and professionals. Key causal factors include the presence of , which draws high-income households, and the town's integration into the commuter shed, fostering residential development without heavy industrialization. Projections suggest sustained but moderated growth through 2030, contingent on land availability and regional economic stability.

Socioeconomic Characteristics

Exeter's socioeconomic profile is marked by above-average household incomes and low levels, indicative of a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class community. The median household income in the town stood at $96,483 based on the (ACS) 2019–2023 estimates, comparable to the state median of $96,838 in 2023, while the median family income reached $141,622. Per capita income was $64,849 over the same period, reflecting contributions from professional and educational employment. The rate was approximately 6.9% in recent estimates, lower than the national average of 11.5% and aligned with New Hampshire's 7.2%. Employment in Exeter is dominated by white-collar occupations, with key sectors including education and health services—driven in part by Phillips Exeter Academy and local healthcare facilities—followed by retail trade and professional, scientific, and technical services. The labor force participation rate is around 65.9%, with median earnings for full-time, year-round workers supporting the area's economic resilience. Local unemployment mirrors the state's low rate of 2.8% as of October 2024, benefiting from proximity to the Seacoast region's economic hubs like Portsmouth. Housing affordability poses challenges amid high demand, with median home values reaching $596,748 in 2025, up 1.4% from the prior year, and typical costs exceeding the national average by over 50%. Overall cost of living is about 19% above the U.S. average, primarily due to and taxes, though mitigated by New Hampshire's absence of state or sales taxes. This structure fosters homeownership rates above national norms but strains entry-level buyers, contributing to socioeconomic stratification.

Educational Attainment and Household Composition

As of the 2019-2023 (ACS), 98.6% of Exeter town residents aged 25 years and older have completed high school or obtained a GED, exceeding New Hampshire's statewide rate of approximately 93%. This high attainment reflects the town's socioeconomic profile and proximity to institutions like , though census data attributes the figure directly to resident outcomes rather than institutional causation alone. Bachelor's degree or higher attainment stands at 55.8% among the same age group, markedly above the state average of 39.8% and indicative of a , knowledge-based . Detailed breakdowns from ACS estimates show roughly 1% lacking a , 19% with high school as highest level, and the remainder distributed across associate degrees, some , and advanced credentials, with degrees comprising a notable share of the postsecondary holders. These levels correlate with incomes of $96,483, suggesting causal links between and in a suburban context, though individual outcomes vary by factors like labor market participation. Household composition in Exeter town emphasizes smaller, stable units, with 6,811 total households reported in the 2019-2023 ACS and an average size of 2.29 persons per . This is below the national average of 2.5, consistent with aging demographics (median age 44.5 years) and lower fertility rates observed in educated, higher-income communities. Family households predominate, comprising approximately 61-64% based on aligned ACS and prior patterns, with nonfamily households—often single-person—making up the balance and reflecting trends in delayed and among professionals. About 85.9% of residents aged 1 year and older lived in the same house as the prior year, underscoring low residential mobility and stable family structures amid the town's limited housing stock.

Government

Town Structure and Administration

Exeter, New Hampshire, follows the traditional New Hampshire town meeting-select board form of government, as authorized under state statutes such as RSA 37 and RSA 41. In this structure, legislative authority resides with the town meeting, comprising all registered voters, which convenes annually on the first Tuesday in to deliberate and vote on articles, including municipal budgets, appropriations, and policy changes. Financial articles are often decided via on the same day, reflecting a hybrid of deliberative discussion and official ballot voting common in many towns. The , consisting of five members elected to staggered three-year terms during annual town elections, serves as the chief executive body. Board members are elected annually in March, with roughly one-third of seats up for election each year to ensure continuity. The board appoints and oversees the Town Manager, reorganizes annually to select its chair, vice chair, and clerk, and holds responsibility for appointing members to key advisory bodies such as the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Conservation Commission. It also manages town contracts, personnel policies outside of union agreements, and emergency declarations per RSA 41:8. The Town Manager, appointed by the Select Board under RSA 37, acts as the chief administrative officer, directing daily municipal operations and implementing policies set by the Select Board and town meeting. Responsibilities include supervising department heads for finance, public works, community development, police, fire-rescue, and other services; preparing the annual budget for Select Board review; and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. As of recent records, Melissa Roy serves as Interim Town Manager, operating from the Town Offices at 10 Front Street. The Select Board meets biweekly on alternate Mondays to conduct business, with agendas and minutes publicly available.
Select Board MemberPositionTerm Expires
Niko PapakonstantisChair2028
Molly CowanVice Chair2027
Nancy BelangerClerk2026
Julie D. GilmanMember2028
Daniel ChartrandMember2026
This table reflects the composition as documented on the official town website. The structure emphasizes direct voter participation and elected oversight, aligning with New Hampshire's decentralized local governance model derived from colonial traditions.

Public Services and Fiscal Policies

Exeter maintains a full-time police department led by Chief Stephan Poulin, employing 26 sworn officers to serve a population of approximately 16,000 residents, with responsibilities encompassing , investigations, and initiatives. The department operates from 20 Court Street and handles non-emergency calls via 603-772-1212, while emphasizing proactive measures such as public alerts and traffic safety. In , voters approved funding for a new incorporating a fire substation on Continental Drive, reflecting needs driven by aging facilities and operational demands. The Exeter Fire Department provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, and hazardous materials response on a full-time basis, integrated with municipal EMS operations. Stationed at 20 Court Street, the department utilizes apparatus including engines, ladders, and ambulances, and collaborates with state agencies for burn permits and mitigation amid conditions. Recent enhancements include online burn permit issuance through the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, addressing seasonal fire risks in the region. Public Works oversees infrastructure maintenance, including 85 miles of roads, stormwater management, solid waste collection, and /sewer utilities serving over 5,000 connections. The department manages curbside recycling and a transfer station, with billing for and sewer handled separately from taxes to reflect usage-based costs. The Exeter Public , at 4 Chestnut Street, functions as a municipal service offering adult and children's programs, digital resources, and community events, operating extended hours including as a during heat advisories. Fiscal policies in Exeter center on property taxes as the primary revenue source, consistent with New Hampshire's absence of state income and general sales taxes, which shifts reliance to local levies for municipal funding. The 2024 municipal stands at $17.79 per $1,000 of assessed value, reduced from $26.78 in 2023 following a town-wide property revaluation that adjusted valuations upward, though this led to higher absolute tax bills for many residents despite the rate drop. The general fund for 2024 totals $22,860,862, adopted via town warrant articles, with personnel costs comprising a significant portion alongside infrastructure and service delivery. Budget adoption occurs annually through deliberative sessions and town elections, emphasizing amid rising expenditures; for instance, the proposed 2026 general fund reflects a 12.64% increase to approximately $25.8 million, attributed primarily to personnel salaries, health benefits, and capital projects like the new public safety facility. Overall municipal appropriations for 2024 reached $61.2 million, excluding separate school funding of $26.8 million for 2024-2025, with policies prioritizing balanced budgets without deficits, funded through taxes, fees, and state aids. Tax collection emphasizes online portals and quarterly payments, with exemptions and abatements available for qualifying elderly, disabled, or veteran residents under state statutes.

Politics

Local Electoral Outcomes

Exeter's local elections, held annually on the second of as part of New Hampshire's Day tradition, select members for the five-person on staggered three-year terms, alongside positions such as town moderator, trustees, and regional school board representatives. These contests are conducted on a non-partisan basis, with voters also deciding warrant articles on budgets, bonds, and zoning changes. typically ranges from 20-30% of registered voters, concentrated on fiscal and infrastructure issues rather than partisan divides. In the March 11, 2025, town election, incumbents Julie Gilman and Niko Papakonstantis secured unopposed reelection to three-year terms, garnering 1,786 and 1,699 votes respectively out of approximately 1,800 cast for those seats. Voters approved a $6.8 million bond for a Drinkwater Road groundwater protection project (1,495-710), a zoning amendment allowing up to two per property (1,443-751), and a $23.98 million operating (1,431-772), reflecting support for public utilities and controlled policy adjustments. On the Exeter Regional Cooperative School Board, Patrick O'Day received 1,330 votes and Kathleen Pratt 1,012 for terms ending in 2028. The prior year's March 12, 2024, election saw Molly Cowan, the Select Board's vice chair and a regional director for the Democratic-aligned , win unopposed for a third three-year term, underscoring minimal opposition to established incumbents. Earlier, in 2023, voters rejected a $16.3 million bond for a new fire and police station (specific tally not detailed in reports, but outcome decisive against), highlighting occasional on capital projects despite general budget approvals. School board races have shown more contention, with progressive candidates defeating conservative challengers by narrow margins in 2022, amid debates over and . Overall patterns indicate low electoral competition for seats, with incumbents like Gilman—a Democratic state representative—retaining positions amid a town electorate that leans slightly more Republican than the national average but features Democratic-leaning local leadership. Bond referenda succeed when tied to essential services but fail on ambitious builds, driven by taxpayer resistance to debt amid steady reliance.

Political Culture and Voter Behavior

Exeter's reflects 's tradition of independent voters and through town meetings, where residents deliberate and vote on local budgets, ordinances, and projects. The town operates under the SB2 , featuring a deliberative session followed by a separate voting day, fostering high on issues like and environmental initiatives. Historically, Exeter holds significance as the site of the first Republican Party organization meeting in in , earning it a reputation as a cradle of Republican activism in the state. In national elections, Exeter has shown a pattern of leaning Democratic in recent presidential contests, diverging somewhat from Rockingham County's mixed history of flipping between parties. In the 2020 , secured more than a two-to-one margin over , with strong support for Democratic down-ballot candidates alongside Republican Governor . Voter turnout remains robust, consistent with New Hampshire's high participation rates; in 2024, 10,418 ballots were cast, comprising 8,492 Election Day votes and 1,926 absentee ballots, reflecting approximately 70-80% turnout among eligible voters based on prior cycles. Local voter behavior emphasizes pragmatic concerns such as property taxes, education funding, and , often resulting in approval of bonds for projects like the $2.1 million Pickpocket Dam removal in 2025, passed 1,501 to 723 amid debates on environmental restoration versus costs. Town elections are officially nonpartisan, but candidates frequently align with broader ideological lines, with recent cycles showing support for a mix of incumbents focused on balanced budgets and community services. The absence of party registration in encourages , particularly in primaries, where Exeter's location draws presidential candidates for town halls, amplifying its influence on state and national discourse.

Education

Public Education System

Public education in Exeter, New Hampshire, is managed by School Administrative Unit 16 (SAU 16), which oversees elementary , while middle and high school levels fall under the Exeter Region Cooperative School District, serving Exeter and surrounding towns including Stratham, East Kingston, , and Newfields. The Exeter School District, part of SAU 16, enrolls approximately 808 students in grades PK-5 across two elementary schools, with a student-teacher of 10:1. Minority enrollment stands at 10%, and 14.5% of students are economically disadvantaged. Elementary education consists of Main Street School for grades K-2 and Lincoln Street School for grades 3-5, the latter serving 417 students with 58% proficiency in both math and reading on state assessments. Middle school (grades 6-8) is provided through the cooperative district's Cooperative Middle School, while Exeter High School serves grades 9-12 with 1,380 students, a 33% AP participation rate, and 10% minority enrollment alongside 9% economically disadvantaged students. The high school ranks 10th among New Hampshire public high schools, with 52% of students proficient in math and 74% in reading. The Exeter Region Cooperative School District, covering grades 6-12, enrolls 2,312 students overall with a student-teacher ratio of 11:1 and reports 47% math proficiency district-wide. Its proposed 2025 budget exceeded $71 million before adjustments, reflecting per-pupil spending of $28,133, above the state median of $22,075. primarily derives from local property taxes, supplemented by state adequacy aid and federal grants, consistent with New Hampshire's decentralized model where local sources constitute the majority. State assessments indicate above-average performance relative to statewide averages, though persistent gaps exist in proficiency rates compared to national benchmarks for similar demographics.

Phillips Exeter Academy: History and Operations

Phillips Exeter Academy was established in 1781 by John Phillips, a successful born in 1719, and his wife Elizabeth, who provided significant funding for the institution in Exeter, New Hampshire. The founders intended the school to offer education to youth irrespective of economic means, with John Phillips stipulating in the that tuition should remain affordable and scholarships be available for the indigent. Initially an all-male academy focused on classical liberal arts, it emphasized rigorous intellectual training grounded in moral character formation, reflecting the era's emphasis on republican virtues amid post-Revolutionary War societal needs. Key historical developments include the adoption of the Harkness teaching method in the 1930s, inspired by Edward Harkness's donation of oval tables to promote seminar-style discussions, which shifted pedagogy from lectures to student-led inquiry. The school transitioned to coeducation in 1970, broadening access while maintaining its college-preparatory mission; this change aligned with broader cultural shifts toward gender equity in elite education but preserved the core Harkness emphasis on active participation over . Expansions in facilities, such as the Class of 1945 Library—holding over 160,000 volumes and recognized as one of the largest libraries—supported growing academic demands, funded partly by endowments exceeding $1 billion by the 21st century. In operations, Phillips Exeter functions as an independent, non-sectarian boarding and serving grades 9–12, with limited postgraduate options, on a 700-acre featuring residential dormitories and athletic fields. The curriculum centers on the Harkness method, wherein classes limited to about 12 students convene around oval tables for collaborative problem-solving and debate, fostering through faculty-guided but student-driven discourse rather than traditional lecturing. This approach applies across disciplines, from —using problem sets that prioritize conceptual understanding over procedural drills—to , where textual analysis emerges from group explication. Nearly half of students receive need-based financial aid, with the academy awarding $29 million annually and committing to need-blind admissions for domestic applicants, enabling socioeconomic diversity despite high tuition costs exceeding $60,000 for boarding students. Enrollment hovers around 1,100, with a student-faculty ratio supporting intensive interaction, though exact figures fluctuate yearly; international students comprise a notable portion, reflecting the school's global recruitment. Extracurriculars include extensive athletics, arts, and , integrated to cultivate well-rounded development, while oversight by a board of trustees ensures alignment with founding principles amid operational autonomy from public funding.

Educational Impact and Criticisms

The presence of , a leading independent preparatory school founded in 1781, has significantly elevated Exeter's profile as an educational center, attracting families with high academic aspirations and contributing to elevated local property values and economic activity through faculty employment, student spending, and alumni networks. The academy's need-blind admissions and substantial financial aid—covering full tuition for families below certain income thresholds—have enabled broader access, with about half of students receiving aid, though full-paying families often cover over $60,000 annually, fostering a perception of economic stratification within the student body. This has indirectly boosted community educational norms, as evidenced by Exeter's above-average public school performance, including a 94.1% four-year high school graduation rate at Exeter High School as of recent state data. Public education in the Exeter Region Cooperative School District, serving grades K-12, benefits from New Hampshire's strong statewide rankings—fifth nationally in a 2025 analysis— with Exeter High School rated above average in proficiency metrics compared to peers. The district's emphasis on core academics has supported solid outcomes, such as 59% elementary reading proficiency, though math lags slightly at 58%. Phillips Exeter's Harkness discussion-based has influenced broader teaching philosophies, promoting that some educators advocate extending to public systems for deeper . Criticisms of Phillips Exeter center on its historical handling of sexual misconduct, with a 2016 external investigation revealing decades of unreported abuse cases dating back to the , leading to policy reforms but raising questions about institutional . The academy's competitive environment has drawn reports of intense student stress and pressure to excel, potentially exacerbating challenges in a high-achieving setting. Ideological shifts, including mandatory training and curriculum emphases on social justice themes, have faced pushback for prioritizing over rigorous , as noted in analyses highlighting deviations from the school's founding principles. Public schools face local critiques over administrative efficiency, with SAU 16 experiencing a 9% enrollment drop amid rising budgets, prompting concerns that increased spending has not yielded proportional academic gains and has driven some families to alternatives like or private options. Reports of insufficient and transparency lapses, including disputed district communications, have fueled community debates on . While partisan intrusions into school have been decried as undermining focus on core , these issues reflect broader tensions in funding tax-exempt private institutions like Phillips Exeter alongside public systems.

Economy

Key Industries and Employment

The economy of Exeter employs approximately 6,340 residents as of 2023, with employment stable from the prior year. The town's labor force stands at around 9,400 individuals as of early 2025, reflecting high participation rates consistent with New Hampshire's statewide trends of low below 3%. Median household income reached $96,483 for the 2019–2023 period, supported by a mix of service-oriented and roles. Health care and social assistance dominate employment, accounting for 1,540 jobs or about 24% of the workforce, driven by facilities like Exeter Hospital, a major regional provider and top taxpayer. Educational services follow with 753 positions (12%), largely tied to , the town's largest taxpayer and employer with an endowment exceeding $1.3 billion that sustains administrative, maintenance, and academic roles. Retail trade employs 660 workers (10%), concentrated in downtown and commercial areas serving local and commuter demand.
Industry SectorEmployment (2023)Share of Workforce
Health Care & Social Assistance1,54024%
Educational Services75312%
Retail Trade66010%
The industrial-commercial district hosts diverse , with 48% of businesses in industry and , and 12% in computers and electronics, contributing to good-producing sector jobs that averaged 1,878 covered positions statewide in recent benchmarks. Other notable employers include Riverwoods at Exeter, a continuing care , underscoring the role of senior services in the health sector. Overall, Exeter's employment reflects New Hampshire's shift toward services and advanced , with limited large-scale industry due to zoning and proximity to Boston's labor market.

Influence of Educational Institutions

Phillips Exeter Academy serves as a dominant force in Exeter's , functioning as one of the town's largest employers with approximately 501 to 1,000 staff members, including 243 and administrators supporting 1,106 students in the 2024-2025 . The institution's annual operating expenses reached $158 million in fiscal year 2024, with substantial portions allocated to local payroll, procurement of , and facility maintenance, thereby injecting significant funds into the regional . Boarding students, numbering 895, contribute through expenditures on local amenities, while and staff spending on housing, retail, and services further amplifies this effect, aligning with broader data showing educational services as the second-largest sector in Exeter, supporting 1,090 jobs overall. The Academy's tax-exempt status as a nonprofit educational entity exempts it from local property taxes on its extensive holdings, potentially straining municipal revenues, though it mitigates this through direct economic multipliers such as job creation and community purchases, including local food sourcing for campus dining. Its endowment, exceeding $1.7 billion in assets, sustains operations and financial aid programs totaling over $15 million annually for nearly half of students, enabling sustained enrollment that bolsters consistent economic activity without heavy reliance on tuition hikes. This model supports high-wage positions, with competitive compensation packages including retirement contributions of 9-12%, attracting skilled professionals who reside and spend locally. Public educational institutions under SAU 16, including Exeter High School, provide additional economic stability through employment of teachers, administrators, and support staff, though on a smaller scale than Phillips Exeter Academy, contributing to the town's educational services sector amid a total workforce of 6,340. These public entities focus on serving resident students from pre-K through grade 12 across Exeter and neighboring areas, fostering workforce development that indirectly supports local industries like , the top employer with 1,540 positions. Overall, educational institutions drive demand for ancillary services, elevate property values in a with a median household income reflecting affluent influences, and position Exeter as an education-centric hub within Rockingham County.

Economic Indicators and Challenges

In 2023, the median household in Exeter was $96,483 according to five-year estimates, reflecting a relatively affluent resident base compared to national averages but slightly below the state median of $96,838. stood at approximately $59,262, with a rate of 6.9 percent. The town's labor force averaged around 9,300 in 2024, supported by low rates averaging 2.4 percent annually, consistent with New Hampshire's statewide rate of about 2.8 percent.
IndicatorValue (Latest Available)Source
Median Household $96,483 (2023 ACS 5-year)NH Employment Security
Unemployment Rate2.4% (2024 annual avg.)NH Employment Security
Rate6.9% (recent est.)Census Reporter (ACS-based)
Median Home Value$374,800 (2020; values rose ~55% by 2024)U.S. ; local assessments
Exeter faces housing affordability pressures typical of the Seacoast region, where high demand from remote workers and desirable location has driven median home prices to levels requiring household incomes exceeding $150,000 to avoid cost burdens exceeding 30 percent of income. Property taxes, funding over 50 percent of local services in towns like without state income or sales taxes, exacerbate challenges for lower- and middle-income residents, contributing to workforce retention issues for businesses. Limited inventory and constraints hinder new development, perpetuating high rental and ownership costs that outpace wage growth in non-professional sectors. Economic reliance on , healthcare, and retail—mirroring state trends where these sectors employ over 40 percent of workers—exposes the town to vulnerabilities from enrollment fluctuations at institutions like and broader service-sector slowdowns.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Road Networks and Highways

New Hampshire classifies public roads into seven categories under RSA 229:5, with Exeter's network including Class I state highways maintained by the (NHDOT), Class II secondary highways eligible for state aid, and town-maintained Classes IV, V, and VI roads. Class I roads in Exeter total approximately 16.91 miles, primarily NH Route 101 and portions of NH Route 108 south of the urban compact area. The town maintains roughly 64.7 miles of Class V roads, with the Highway Division handling routine maintenance such as plowing, repairs, and drainage. NH Route 101 functions as the primary east-west arterial and expressway through , designated as a principal arterial under federal , with (AADT) exceeding 40,000 vehicles east of its interchange with NH 108 as of 2006. The route features partial cloverleaf interchanges serving the town: Exit 9 for NH 27 (connecting to Stratham and Epping), Exit 10 for NH 108 (Portsmouth Avenue, a key north-south corridor through with AADT around 15,000 at in 2005), and Exit 11 for Epping Road, which links to the commercial district and town center. NHDOT conducts periodic infrastructure work on NH 101, including overhead sign repairs at the Exit 10 overpass in July 2024 and nighttime resurfacing at Exit 9 in May 2023. Secondary state routes include approximately 10 miles of Class II highways such as NH 27 (Epping Road, with AADT of 12,512 west of NH 111A in 2005), NH 85 (Newfields Road), NH 111A (Brentwood Road), and NH 111 (Kingston Road). These support local access and commerce, with NH 108 classified as a minor arterial in the urban compact, handling mixed traffic including trucks. Town-led improvements, such as the Epping Road Tax Increment Financing project, have added roadway widening, utility extensions, drainage enhancements, and curbed sidewalks to improve capacity and safety. Local streets like High Street, Court Street, and Front Street serve as minor arterials and collectors, with congestion noted at signals such as Water Street/Front Street (over 22,000 vehicles per day). Access to Interstate 95 occurs via NH 101 east to Hampton or local connections through Portsmouth.

Rail and Public Transit Developments

The extended its line from to Portland through Exeter in 1840, providing the town with its initial rail connection and spurring by facilitating freight and passenger transport. A wooden depot was constructed north of Front Street where it crossed the tracks, marking the early infrastructure for rail operations. By 1891, a more substantial station had been built, serving passengers until regular service ceased in the amid broader declines in usage. Street railway development began in the late with the Street Railway, which laid its first rail in nearby Hampton on May 19, 1897, and completed the Exeter terminal by July 3, 1897, enabling local trolley service for passengers and connecting to broader regional lines. The system evolved into the Exeter, Hampton & Amesbury Street Railway, incorporated on February 15, 1899, which acquired prior operations and expanded trolley routes until their discontinuation in the mid-20th century due to competition from automobiles and buses. Passenger rail service resumed in Exeter with the inauguration of Amtrak's Downeaster route on December 15, 2001, utilizing a sheltered platform at 60 Lincoln Street in place of the defunct 1891 station building. The Downeaster provides five daily round trips between and , stopping at Exeter to support commuter and tourist travel along the coastal corridor. In September 2025, town officials proposed station upgrades including handicapped-accessible bathrooms, informational kiosks, an enclosed waiting area, a staffed host office, and secure bike storage to enhance usability and accessibility. Public transit options in Exeter remain limited, with regional services like the Connector offering on-demand, curb-to-curb rides for areas lacking fixed-route buses, though no major local bus system developments have been implemented. Ongoing freight rail maintenance, such as CSX's replacement of ties at five town crossings, periodically disrupts local access but sustains the corridor's operational integrity. Broader state efforts, including the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services' 2024 Priority Climate Action Plan, advocate for public transit expansion to reduce emissions, but Exeter-specific initiatives beyond rail upgrades are nascent.

Culture and Landmarks

Historical Sites and Architecture

Exeter's historical architecture reflects its colonial origins as a fortified settlement established in , evolving through defensive styles to Georgian and Federal designs amid its 18th-century seaport prosperity. Early structures emphasized practicality and security, featuring thick timber walls and strategic riverfront locations, while later buildings incorporated symmetrical facades, pedimented entries, and brick construction suited to mercantile wealth. The Gilman Garrison House, built in 1709 near the Squamscott River, stands as the town's oldest surviving structure and a prime example of colonial defensive architecture, with original massive log walls later sheathed in and stone additions for fortification against Pennacook raids; it served as both residence and refuge, owned by the sawmill-operating Gilman family, and was restored as a museum in 1966. The Powder House, erected in 1771 at Duck Point, exemplifies utilitarian -era design with its isolated brick construction to mitigate explosion risks from stored gunpowder, used during the and ; its square form and riverfront placement prioritized safety over ornamentation, and it underwent refurbishment in 1999. The preserves Georgian-style buildings integral to Exeter's : the Ladd-Gilman House (c. 1721), a occupied by merchant families who hosted key political figures, and the Folsom Tavern (c. 1775), site of debates and a 1789 visit by ; these frame-like structures house over 3,000 artifacts, including broadsides of the and U.S. Constitution received in Exeter in 1776. Downtown districts like Front Street feature cohesive 18th- and 19th-century ensembles of civic and residential buildings in Federal style, with elements such as hipped roofs, dormers, and sash windows, underscoring Exeter's transition from frontier outpost to commercial hub. The Town Hall, constructed in 1855, incorporates Roman Revival features including a and , serving as a venue for public assemblies.

Notable Events and Festivals

Exeter hosts several annual festivals that highlight its historical significance and community spirit. The American Independence Festival, organized by the American Independence Museum, commemorates the July 2, 1776, arrival of the Declaration of Independence in , which was first publicly read in Exeter on July 16, 1776. Held annually on the second Saturday in July in downtown Exeter, the event features Revolutionary War reenactments, colonial craft demonstrations, musket and cannon firings, period music, and family activities; the 35th iteration occurred on July 12, 2025, with free admission and attendance drawing thousands. The Exeter UFO Festival, tied to the town's 1965 UFO sighting, takes place over weekend, specifically August 30–31 in 2025 for the 60th anniversary. It includes speaker presentations on , vendor booths, parades, and sky watches, attracting enthusiasts from across the region and generating proceeds for local scholarships. Other recurring festivals include the Beer & Chili Festival, an October event on Swasey Parkway featuring over 100 craft beers, chili competitions, and live music; the 12th annual edition was held on October 5, 2024, with VIP entry at noon. The Alewife Festival, hosted by the town's Conservation Commission in early May at Founder's Park or , celebrates the seasonal migration of river up the Exeter River, offering educational programs, live music, and family-friendly activities. The Exeter Holiday Parade marches through downtown on the first Saturday in December, featuring floats, bands, and lighted displays as a longstanding community tradition. Historically, Exeter served as New Hampshire's provisional capital during the Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783, with the state legislature convening there amid British threats to coastal ports; this period included key assemblies that ratified the U.S. Constitution on June 21, 1788, making New Hampshire the ninth state. The town also endured significant natural events, such as the September 21, 1938, New England Hurricane, which downed trees across Front Street, disrupted power, and caused widespread flooding along the Squamscott River.

UFO Incident of 1965

On the night of September 3, 1965, 18-year-old Norman Muscarello was hitchhiking along Route 150 in , approximately five miles south of Exeter, New Hampshire, when he encountered an unidentified aerial object hovering silently over a nearby field around 2:00 a.m. Muscarello described the object as large—roughly 60 to 90 feet in diameter—pancake-shaped, with five to seven bright red lights arranged around its perimeter that flashed in sequence, illuminating the ground below and causing horses in the field to react with agitation. No sound emanated from the object, which rose slowly and moved away after hovering for several minutes. Frightened, Muscarello sought help at a nearby residence before reaching the Police Department, where he reported the sighting to David Hunt. Hunt accompanied Muscarello back to the site, where they observed the same object hovering approximately away, again exhibiting the sequential red lights and silent operation. Hunt radioed Eugene Bertrand, who arrived shortly after and independently witnessed the object, later filing a police report describing it as a "huge, bright" craft estimated at 80 to 90 feet wide with flashing red lights. This followed an earlier report that night around midnight, when a woman contacted Bertrand about a similar large object with red lights hovering over her home on Route 101, though initial searches yielded no visual confirmation. The three officers—Hunt, Bertrand, and a third who arrived later—submitted formal reports, lending credibility to the accounts due to the witnesses' training and lack of apparent motive for fabrication. The U.S. Air Force's investigated the incident, with Captain George W. Wiggin from Pease Air Force Base interviewing Muscarello, the officers, and other locals who reported similar sightings in the following days, including objects seen over itself. No radar tracks corroborated the visual reports, and meteorological conditions were clear, ruling out weather phenomena. classified the core close-range sighting as unidentified, though broader area reports were attributed to misidentifications of astronomical objects like or stars; however, the proximity and details described by police witnesses resisted such explanations. Subsequent analyses have proposed prosaic alternatives, notably misidentification of a U.S. KC-97 Stratotanker engaged in operations from Pease AFB, whose wingtip lights, tail lights, and refueling boom illumination—appearing red and flashing from certain angles—could mimic the reported configuration during low-altitude maneuvers around the time of the sighting. Critics of this theory note the witnesses' insistence on the object's silence and lack of engine noise or contrails, inconsistent with a propeller-driven like the KC-97 at close range, though distance and wind may have attenuated sounds. The incident, detailed in John G. Fuller's 1966 book Incident at Exeter based on direct interviews, remains a benchmark case in UFO for its multiple corroborating testimonies from , despite unresolved debate over conventional versus anomalous interpretations.

Notable People

Lewis Cass (October 9, 1782 – June 17, 1866) was born in Exeter and rose to prominence as a U.S. Army officer, territorial governor of Michigan (1813–1831), Secretary of War (1831–1836), Secretary of State (1857–1860), and Democratic presidential nominee in 1848.
Daniel Chester French (April 20, 1850 – October 7, 1931), a sculptor born in Exeter, created iconic works including the seated Abraham Lincoln statue for the Lincoln Memorial (1920) and the Minute Man statue for Concord, Massachusetts (1875).
John Irving (born March 2, 1942), novelist born in Exeter, achieved acclaim with works such as The World According to Garp (1978), which won the National Book Award, and A Prayer for Owen Meany (1989); he also adapted several of his novels for film.
Dan Brown (born June 22, 1964), thriller author born and raised in Exeter, gained worldwide fame with The Da Vinci Code (2003), which sold over 80 million copies and spawned a film franchise; his novels often explore cryptography, art history, and religious conspiracies.

References

  1. https://data.census.gov/profile/Exeter_town%2C_Rockingham_County%2C_New_Hampshire?g=060XX00US3301525380
  2. https://www.exeternh.gov/community/about-exeter
  3. https://www.exeternh.gov/community/historic-exeter
  4. https://www.exeterhistory.org/exeter-history/2016/6/24/early-exeter-history-1638-1887
  5. https://exeter.edu/about/
  6. https://exeter.edu/history-traditions/
  7. https://exeterhistory.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-settlement-of-exeter.html
  8. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/exeter-news-letter/2008/04/04/historically-speaking-serendipitous-journey-wheelwright/52461000007/
  9. https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/agreement-of-the-settlers-at-exeter-in-new-hampshire/
  10. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/exeter-news-letter/2008/08/08/historically-speaking-john-wheelwright-his/52309983007/
  11. https://history.lanememoriallibrary.org/hampton/history/ehascene/eha3.htm
  12. https://www.exeterhistory.org/exeter-history/2016/6/24/exeter-is-a-seaport
  13. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/2022/09/23/historically-speaking-exeter-under-foreign-rule/8075889001/
  14. https://www.exeterhistory.org/historically-speaking/revolutionary-war-capital
  15. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2025/05/22/historically-speaking-how-exeter-became-nhs-revolutionary-capital/83735072007/
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAfZ0Lwmv0c
  17. https://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/academics/research/faculty-research/american-founding/state-constitutions/nh_con.htm
  18. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=41157
  19. https://blackheritagetrailnh.org/nh-black-history-marker-sites/exeter-nh
  20. https://teachingamericanhistory.org/blog/new-hampshires-ratification-of-the-constitution/
  21. https://www.independencemuseum.org/history/
  22. https://www.exeternh.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/boards_committees_and_commissions/page/9941/project_area_form_great_dam_exeter_4-16-2012_combined_file.pdf
  23. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/exeter-news-letter/2016/11/03/why-exeter-what-brought-immigrants/24625130007/
  24. https://exeterhistory.blogspot.com/2013/08/exeter-manufacturing-company.html
  25. https://www.exeterhistory.org/historically-speaking/2022/1/27/exeters-wool-industries
  26. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/exeter-news-letter/2014/01/31/industry-in-exeter-after-civil/39824608007/
  27. https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Hampshire-state/Progressive-New-Hampshire-and-the-decline-of-the-old-industries
  28. https://www.exeterhistory.org/historically-speaking/2020/8/13/nike-in-exeter
  29. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2024/08/18/historically-speaking-trailer-homes-arrive-in-exeter/74793760007/
  30. https://www.exeterhistory.org/historically-speaking
  31. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/exeter-news-letter/2009/10/16/exploring-exeter-s-industrial-history/51833536007/
  32. https://www2.nhes.nh.gov/GraniteStats/SessionServlet?page=Community.jsp&SID=1&city=000811&cityName=Exeter
  33. https://www.nhbr.com/major-developments-in-exeter-heres-the-latest-on-ioka-gateway-and-other-projects/
  34. https://www.exeternh.gov/community/improving-exeter-capital-project-updates
  35. https://www.exeternh.gov/planning-sustainability/current-upcoming-projects
  36. https://read.nhbr.com/nh-business-review/2025/09/19/?article=4339890&output=html
  37. https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/873595
  38. http://www.exeternh.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning/page/10161/master_plan_chapter_7_-_new_-_1-27-11.pdf
  39. https://en-us.topographic-map.com/map-2vx9m/Exeter/
  40. https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/geo-185-024000-smof-exeter.pdf
  41. https://7rivers2coast.org/explore/squamscott-river/
  42. https://exeterriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ESRLAC_ManagementPlan_Update-2022_4.4.23-_.pdf
  43. https://www.exeternh.gov/cc/exeters-healthy-lawns-clean-water-initiative
  44. https://www.exeternh.gov/cc/think-blue-exeter
  45. https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Navigation/New-Hampshire/Exeter/
  46. https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=1&article=1360&context=prep&type=additional
  47. https://www.fremont.nh.gov/conservation-commission/files/exeter-squamscott-river-watershed-mgmt-plan
  48. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/2006/05/16/record-deluge-swamps-exeter/51213209007/
  49. https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2008/5120/pdf/SIR2008-5120.pdf
  50. https://www.exeternh.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/boards_committees_and_commissions/page/9941/flooding.pdf
  51. https://firststreet.org/city/exeter-nh/3325300_fsid/flood
  52. https://www.exeternh.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/conservation_commission/page/56921/c-rise_exeter_assessment_report_complete.pdf
  53. https://weatherspark.com/y/26898/Average-Weather-in-Exeter-New-Hampshire-United-States-Year-Round
  54. https://en.climate-data.org/north-america/united-states-of-america/new-hampshire/exeter-18952/
  55. https://www.weather.gov/gyx/climate
  56. https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine%2Cexeter-new-hampshire-us%2CUnited-States-of-America
  57. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/
  58. https://www.picturethisai.com/region/tree/United-States-New-Hampshire-Exeter.html
  59. https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/new-hampshire/native-plants-nh/
  60. https://exeterriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ESRLAC_2022ManagementPlan_Executive-Summary.pdf
  61. https://a-z-animals.com/animals/location/north-america/united-states/new-hampshire/
  62. https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/rl-6.pdf
  63. https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/species-occurring-nh
  64. https://www.nhpr.org/environment/2021-02-27/outside-in-magical-drinking-frost-heaves
  65. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2025/02/19/exeter-nh-residents-clash-over-pickpocket-dam-removal/79025492007/
  66. https://nhfpi.org/resource/new-hampshires-growing-population-and-changing-demographics-before-and-since-the-covid-19-pandemic/
  67. https://state-journal.com/2024/05/16/all-you-need-to-know-about-living-in-exeter-nh/
  68. https://www.exeternh.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning/page/10161/masterplanattachmentsbinder1.pdf
  69. https://nhfpi.org/blog/new-hampshires-median-household-income-increased-in-2023-poverty-remained-steady/
  70. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/exeter-nh/
  71. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/all?q=Exeter%20town%2C%20New%20Hampshire
  72. https://ycharts.com/indicators/new_hampshire_unemployment_rate
  73. https://www.zillow.com/home-values/398938/exeter-nh/
  74. https://www.erieri.com/cost-of-living/united-states/new-hampshire/exeter
  75. https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/exeter-rockingham-nh/
  76. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/exetertownrockinghamcountynewhampshire/HEA775223
  77. https://censusreporter.org/profiles/06000US3301525380-exeter-town-rockingham-county-nh/
  78. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/exetertownrockinghamcountynewhampshire/PST120224
  79. https://datacommons.org/place/geoId/3301525380
  80. https://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/NH/Exeter-Demographics.html
  81. https://www.exeternh.gov/bos
  82. https://www.nheconomy.com/getmedia/19b1a519-1c73-4a48-ad4e-b5588a49750f/forms-of-town-government.pdf
  83. https://www.exeternh.gov/townmanager
  84. https://www.policeapp.com/Exeter-NH-Police-Department/527/
  85. https://www.exeternh.gov/police
  86. https://www.exeternh.gov/news?field_microsite_tid=271&field_microsite_tid_1=All
  87. https://www.exeternh.gov/fire
  88. https://www.exeternh.gov/news?field_microsite_tid=221&field_microsite_tid_1=All
  89. https://www.exeternh.gov/publicworks
  90. https://www.exeternh.gov/taxcollection/watersewer-collections-information
  91. https://www.exeternh.gov/library
  92. https://nhfpi.org/topic/revenue-tax/
  93. https://www.exeternh.gov/taxcollection
  94. https://www.exeternh.gov/townmanager/2024-budget
  95. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2025/10/08/exeter-nh-proposes-12-6-budget-hike-for-2026-heres-whats-driving-it/86499939007/
  96. https://www.exeternh.gov/elections/town-election
  97. https://www.exeternh.gov/elections/election-results
  98. https://patch.com/new-hampshire/exeter/exeter-nh-2025-town-election-results
  99. https://www.exeternh.gov/elections/2025-town-election-results
  100. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2024/03/12/molly-cowan-wins-third-term-exeter-nh-select-board-town-election-results/72930224007/
  101. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2023/03/15/exeter-election-results-16-3m-for-new-fire-police-station-rejected/70004683007/
  102. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/2022/03/10/progressive-candidates-prevail-school-board-elections-despite-passionate-campaigns-right/6984539001/
  103. https://bestneighborhood.org/conservative-vs-liberal-map-exeter-nh/
  104. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/state/2024/08/12/exeter-voters-5-democrats-running-for-4-nh-house-seats/74672333007/
  105. https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/politics/2023/10/05/republican-town-hall-how-tiny-exeter-nh-plays-huge-political-role/71075504007/
  106. https://patch.com/new-hampshire/exeter/2020-exeter-nh-election-results-town-votes-sununu-democrats
  107. https://www.exeternh.gov/elections/2024-general-election-results
  108. https://patch.com/new-hampshire/exeter/exeter-nh-2022-election-results-polls-close
  109. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2025/03/11/exeter-nh-approves-2-1m-pickpocket-dam-removal-election-results/82251186007/
  110. https://www.exeternh.gov/community/school-administrative-unit-16
  111. https://www.niche.com/k12/d/exeter-school-district-nh/
  112. https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/new-hampshire/districts/exeter-school-district-117134
  113. https://www.niche.com/k12/lincoln-street-elementary-school-exeter-nh/
  114. https://www.publicschoolreview.com/exeter-high-school-profile
  115. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/new-hampshire/districts/exeter-region-coop-school-district/exeter-high-school-12358
  116. https://www.niche.com/k12/exeter-high-school-exeter-nh/
  117. https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NH/schools/0001700106/school.aspx
  118. https://www.niche.com/k12/d/exeter-region-cooperative-school-district-nh/
  119. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2025/02/07/exeter-region-co-op-votes-down-2m-cut-to-71m-school-budget-proposal/78316016007/
  120. https://www.publicschoolreview.com/new-hampshire/exeter-region-cooperative-school-district/3300017-school-district
  121. https://usafacts.org/answers/how-are-public-schools-in-the-us-funded/state/new-hampshire/
  122. https://www.greatschools.org/new-hampshire/exeter/exeter-school-district/
  123. https://library.exeter.edu/c.php?g=441877&p=3057085
  124. https://exeter.edu/about/academy-chronology/
  125. https://exeter.edu/academics/harkness/
  126. https://exeter.edu/
  127. https://exeter.edu/admissions/financial-aid/
  128. https://www.exeter.edu/app/uploads/2025/07/PEA-COI-25-26-Web-7.28.25.pdf
  129. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/12/supreme-court-income-based-affirmative-action-phillips-exeter/
  130. https://my.doe.nh.gov/profiles/profile.aspx?s=20600&year=2015
  131. https://nhjournal.com/nh-schools-are-5-in-nation-new-ranking-says/
  132. https://progressive.org/public-schools-advocate/better-way-to-teach-strange-210204/
  133. https://www.city-journal.org/article/exeter-under-ideology
  134. https://exeter.edu/about/mission-values/the-deed-of-gift/
  135. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/opinion/2022/02/16/column-sau-16-increased-spending-poor-results-equal-failed-leadership/6807761001/
  136. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/opinion/2022/02/11/column-keep-partisan-politics-out-our-excellent-exeter-public-schools/6714218001/
  137. https://www.exeterhistory.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-momentous-occasion-in-exeter.html
  138. https://www2.nhes.nh.gov/GraniteStats/SessionServlet?page=LAUS.jsp&SID=12&city=000811&cityName=Exeter
  139. https://www.exeternh.gov/taxcollection/top-ten-exeter-taxpayers
  140. https://www.exeternh.gov/business/industrial-commercial-district
  141. https://mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/dot/remote-docs/chapter-3-economic-background.pdf
  142. https://www.linkedin.com/school/phillips-exeter-academy/
  143. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/20222174
  144. https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/programs/green-ribbon-schools/2013-schools/nh-phillips-exeter-academy.pdf
  145. https://www.findingschool.com/phillips-exeter-academy
  146. https://exeter.edu/about/careers/
  147. https://www.sau16.org/en-US
  148. https://www2.nhes.nh.gov/GraniteStats/SessionServlet?page=elmiSessionList.jsp&city=000811&topic=Income&SID=11&cityName=Exeter
  149. http://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US3325300-exeter-nh/
  150. https://www.nhes.nh.gov/elmi/statistics/documents/24bmtown.pdf
  151. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/exetertownrockinghamcountynewhampshire
  152. https://www.nhbr.com/between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place/
  153. https://fossrussellgroup.verani.com/blog/Affordability%2BChallenges%253A%2BNavigating%2Bthe%2BSeacoast%2BNH%2BHousing%2BMarket%2Bin%2B2025
  154. https://nhfpi.org/resource/affordability-eroded-changes-to-the-cost-of-living-in-new-hampshire/
  155. https://www.nhhfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/NH-Urban3-Report-10.2020.pdf
  156. http://www.exeternh.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning/page/10161/master_plan_chapter_2_-_new_-_1-26-11.pdf
  157. https://www.citizenportal.ai/articles/2651518/New-Hampshire/New-Hampshire-faces-housing-crisis-as-prices-soar-and-workers-leave-for-affordability
  158. https://nhfpi.org/blog/new-hampshire-policy-points-2025-economy-and-jobs/
  159. https://www.exeternh.gov/publicworks/roads-and-bridges
  160. http://www.exeternh.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning/page/10161/master_plan_chapter_3_-_new_1-26-11.pdf
  161. https://www.exeternh.gov/publicworks/highway
  162. https://www.dot.nh.gov/news-and-media/nighttime-road-work-route-101-exit-9-exeter
  163. https://www.dot.nh.gov/news-and-media/overhead-sign-repairs-route-101-exeter
  164. https://www.exeternh.gov/publicworks/epping-road-tif-project-construction
  165. https://www.exeternh.gov/business/epping-road-commercial-district
  166. https://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/exeter-nh-exr/
  167. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/exeter-news-letter/2018/02/08/a-visit-with-exeter-s/15284818007/
  168. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2025/09/08/exeter-nh-renews-push-to-upgrade-amtrak-train-station-at-lincoln-street/85957468007/
  169. https://history.lanememoriallibrary.org/hampton/history/ourtown/trolleys2.htm
  170. https://history.lanememoriallibrary.org/hampton/history/trolleys/1951eha.htm
  171. https://www.american-rails.com/nhampinterstreet.html
  172. https://www.locationshub.com/exeter-amtrak-station
  173. https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2025-09-09/exeter-wants-amtrak-train-station-upgrade
  174. https://coastbus.org/connector
  175. https://www.exeternh.gov/publicworks/train-crossing-work-csx-replacing-railroad-ties-exeter
  176. https://www.collaborativenh.org/granite-solutions-coronavirus-1/2024/5/23/breaking-barriers-new-state-plan-aims-to-improve-public-transit-and-cut-emissions
  177. http://exeternh.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning/page/10161/chapter_9_master_plan_0.pdf
  178. https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/gilman-garrison-house/
  179. https://www.exeternh.gov/community/places-interest
  180. https://www.exeternh.gov/recreation/powder-house-point
  181. https://www.visitnh.gov/business/detail/202
  182. https://www.independencemuseum.org/tours/
  183. https://www.independencemuseum.org/american-independence-festival/
  184. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2025/07/09/exeter-nh-american-independence-festival-2025-fireworks-revolutionary-event/84489943007/
  185. https://exeterufofestival.org/
  186. https://www.powderkegbeerfest.com/
  187. https://www.exeternh.gov/community/annual-events
  188. https://www.exeternh.gov/cc/2025-alewife-festival
  189. https://www.seacoastnh.com/norman-muscarello-recalls-his-ufo-incident-at-exeter/
  190. https://www.nhmagazine.com/ufos-in-new-hampshire/
  191. https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/2005/09/02/ufo-sighting-terrified-locals-40/51202450007/
  192. https://www.truthnetwork.com/show/our-american-stories-lee-habeeb/95889/
  193. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-89hhrg50066O/pdf/CHRG-89hhrg50066O.pdf
  194. https://centerforinquiry.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2011/11/22164321/p16.pdf
  195. https://skepticalinquirer.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2019/03/SI-ND-11.pdf
  196. https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp81r00560r000100010002-9
  197. https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/c000233
  198. https://www.chesterwood.org/daniel-chester-french
  199. https://john-irving.com/
  200. https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2009/08/17/the-dan-brown-code/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.