Town · New Hampshire
Pelham, New Hampshire
Pelham, town, in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. Pelham had 14,828 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 14,222 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 14,449 (±34). GEOID 3301159940.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,828
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,222 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,449 ±34
Median household income
$135,956
±$19,099 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $99,031
Median home value
$552,600
±$26,703 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $402,500
Median gross rent
$1,425
±$88 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $1,491
Where is Pelham and what county is it in?
Pelham is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. It covers 26.3 square miles of land, 540 residents per square mile in 2020.
Pelham is in the Manchester-Nashua, NH metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Pelham, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 14,828 people lived in Pelham on July 1, 2025, up 4.2% since 2020, faster than New Hampshire (+2.7%). The 2020 Census counted 14,222 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 14,449 (±34).
| Measure | Pelham | Hillsborough County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,449±34 | 426,378 | +651 |
| Households | 4,971±209 | 168,740 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.91±0.12 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,092±212 | 177,734 | no clear change |
Pelham's population since 2000
From 10,914 in 2000 to 14,828 in 2025: up 35.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Pelham as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Pelham?
The median resident of Pelham is 41.5 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 16.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.8%. 6.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pelham | Hillsborough County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5±2.7 | 41.0 | −3.5 |
| Under 18 years | 22.0%±2.2 pts | 19.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.5%±1.7 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Male | 47.8%±2.2 pts | 50.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8%±1.5 pts | 8.5% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.9%±2.7 pts | 80.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±1.3 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.7%±1.6 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6%±1.0 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.1%±1.6 pts | 10.3% | +2.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.0%±2.2 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8%±1.5 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 9.3%±1.7 pts | 11.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 5.5% | −3.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.5%±1.3 pts | 93.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 40.0%±3.8 pts | 41.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.0%±2.8 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 94.8%±1.8 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.5%±1.3 pts | 3.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Pelham earn?
Half of Pelham's 4,971 households earn less than $135,956 a year (±$19,099), against $103,545 in Hillsborough County and $99,031 in New Hampshire. In 2015-2019 it was $131,298 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pelham | Hillsborough County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $135,956±$19,099 | $103,545 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $153,367±$8,722 | $132,601 | – |
| Per capita income | $54,499±$3,000 | $54,111 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 3.7%±1.3 pts | 6.7% | +1.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 3.6%±2.8 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 2.6%±1.2 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.4%±0.9 pts | 96.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.9%±2.0 pts | 93.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Pelham?
Owners occupy 86.7% of Pelham's occupied homes and renters 13.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $552,600 by its owner (±$26,703). The median renter pays $1,425 a month including utilities, and 48.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pelham | Hillsborough County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $552,600±$26,703 | $421,100 | +$123,088 |
| Median gross rent | $1,425±$88 | $1,623 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.2%±17.7 pts | 37.7% | +23.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,949±$173 | $2,452 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 86.7%±3.4 pts | 67.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 13.3%±3.4 pts | 32.6% | – |
| Housing units | 5,092±212 | 177,734 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.4%±5.5 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 84.0%±3.3 pts | 56.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.9%±1.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 13.8%±3.4 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.1%±2.2 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 5.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Pelham building?
Builders took permits for 38 new housing units in Pelham in 2025 (38 in single-family houses), 2.6 per 1,000 residents against 3.6 across New Hampshire.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Pelham work and get to work?
70.8% of Pelham's workers drive alone and 22.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Pelham | Hillsborough County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.1%±2.8 pts | 70.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±1.4 pts | 3.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 70.8%±3.8 pts | 70.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.9%±2.0 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 22.8%±3.3 pts | 18.1% | +17.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.5 min±1.9 | 27.3 min | −4.9 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Pelham?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Pelham (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $117,411 (Tract 2001.01) to $148,587 (Tract 2005).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2003Hillsborough County | 4,910 | $124,068 |
| Tract 2005Hillsborough County | 3,478 | $148,587 |
| Tract 2001.01Hillsborough County | 3,403 | $117,411 |
| Tract 2002.01Hillsborough County | 2,658 | $141,042 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Pelham) · Census block assignment files
How does Pelham compare with other places in New Hampshire?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Pelham is the 853rd-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 14th-most populous of 221 in New Hampshire.
Pelham ranks 29th of 235 places in New Hampshire with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 14th | 221 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 47th | 187 |
| Residents per square mile | 70th | 241 |
| Median household income | 29th | 235 |
| Per capita income | 81st | 240 |
| Median home value | 23rd | 239 |
| Median gross rent | 85th | 221 |
| Poverty rate | 146th | 160 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 99th | 239 |
| Median age | 182nd | 239 |
| Owner-occupied share | 82nd | 241 |
| Work from home | 35th | 214 |
| Travel time to work | 99th | 241 |
Pelham's figures with every place in New Hampshire (CSV)
Every place in New Hampshire, sortable · Compare Pelham with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Pelham?
11 of the 57 figures for Pelham on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Pelham are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.