Whether you are driving to the White Mountains for a holiday or shopping somewhere in southern New Hampshire on a weekend, chances are that you feel the effects of New Hampshire's population growth and sprawling development. A new study released in October by the Center for Environment and Population offers some supporting facts.

New Hampshire is the fastest-growing state in New England and 85 percent of the growth is in the southern third of the state. The population has doubled since 1950 and may triple by 2020. New Hampshire people also occupy one-third more land for housing, shopping, roads and other uses than they did 20 years ago.

The good news, says Preservation Alliance Executive Director Jennifer Goodman, is that the preservation movement is growing and responding to trends interwined with that data. The New Hampshire Main Street Center is working with downtown interests to reinvest in older downtowns and villages that are being marginalized by big box retail and shifting retail patterns. The City of Nashua's St. Francis Xavier task force and other groups are addressing churches left vacant by shifting demographic issues. The Preservation Alliance is helping families save agricultural properties or waterfront property where land is highly valued and development pressure is keen.

Click here to read the study, U.S. State Reports on Population and Growth: New Hampshire.
(Adobe PDF reader required.)