Northwood is a town located in Southeastern New Hampshire in the Merrimack Valley region of the state. It is situated in Northern Rockingham County and encompasses a total area of 30 square miles, 2.1 of which is water. As of the 2010 United States Census, Northwood was home to 4,241 people.
The land that comprises Northwood was first settled in 1763. It wasn’t until 10 years later that the area was separated from nearby Nottingham and incorporated as a town by Governor John Wentworth. In its early years, the town saw much success from milling, boasting 12 sawmills at one point. Now, the town has become primarily a vacation spot, mostly for its many lakefront areas and antique shops.
Nearly 7 percent of Northwood’s total area is made up of water. The town is home to parts of Bow Lake, Piscataqua River, Northwood Lake, Pleasant Lake, Jenness Pond, Harvey Lake, Long Pond and Suncook River. Its highest point lies at Saddleback Mountain, where elevation reaches 1,150 feet above sea level. The town includes four historic communities, including East Northwood, Northwood Ridge, Northwood Center and Northwood Narrows.
Northwood is governed by an elected Board of Selectmen. It boasts a full-time police department, a full-time and part-time fire department and full-time and part-time emergency medical services. Top employers in the area include Hannaford, Johnson’s Seafood & Steak, DR Dimes, Harding Metals, Northwood Power Equipment, Solid Creations, New England Signal Systems, Cooper Hill Pizza, Meyer Family Dentistry and Northwood Veterinary Hospital.
Children in the area attend Northwood School for grades kindergarten through eighth. From grades nine through 12, they are tuitioned to Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, which also serves the nearby towns of Barrington and Nottingham. For recreation and entertainment Northwood residents can take advantage of the town?s parks, museums, performing arts facilities, youth organizations, sports leagues, campgrounds, fishing and hunting areas, boating marinas, snowmobile trails, cross country skiing and local beaches.