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Contoocook

Contoocook

Neighborhood in Hopkinton, New Hampshire

Merrimack County 03229

$477,040 Average Value
$247 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

New England homes and farms north of Hopkinton

Named after the Contoocook River, this little village is just about 3 miles north of Hopkinton, with annual festivals, homegrown orchards, dairy farms and preserved local history that all lend to the small-town feel that residents prefer. Steve Lux Jr, a fourth-generation resident of the Hopkinton and Contoocook area, is also the owner of Riverside Pizza, a member of the fire department and the vice president of the Contoocook Railroad Museum. “I’ve lived in a few other places, but this is my hometown. Like a lot of smaller towns, Contoocook has that safe, community-oriented feel. We’ve got a lot of familiar faces, but there is enough rotation of people that come and go to keep things fresh, bring in new ideas and expand what the community has to offer,” Lux says. Contoocook is home to the Hopkinton State Fairgrounds and the Contoocook River, and outdoorsy residents appreciate Contoocook’s many hiking and snowmobile trails, fishing spots and community sports leagues. New England-style homes and locally owned shops and restaurants create a cozy Main Street atmosphere, while vast stretches of forests make for a beautiful backdrop to daily life.

Outdoor activities and local history in Contoocook

The village gem is the Contoocook River, which is known to house young Atlantic salmon and warm-water fish such as trout and bass. Right on the river is Riverway Park, the area’s major hub for community events. “At the end of last year, [Riverway Park] went through a major rehab. The town Parks Department completely rebuilt the lawn and the landscape and added nice fencing to keep vehicles off the park,” Lux says. Locals can listen to free music on Wednesdays at the park’s bandstand, and at the end of summer, the town and local organizations host a summer music series. Next door is the visitor center at the Contoocook Railroad Museum. Located in a 19th-century train depot, this historic building gives visitors a glimpse into the past. The historic Hopkinton Railroad Covered Bridge that connects Riverway Park and Riverside Pizza “is the oldest of its kind in existence in the country,” Lux says. “We work hard to preserve our history here.” The village also has dozens more opportunities for outdoorsy residents. “We’ve got tons of acres of conservation land, miles of volunteer-maintained trails, and a town pond with paid lifeguards on duty in the summer. I mean, I could go on,” Lux says.

The Contoocook River has a large rope swing for those brave enough to jump in.
The Contoocook River has a large rope swing for those brave enough to jump in.
The Railroad Depot sits in the center of Contoocook and offers regular tours.
The Railroad Depot sits in the center of Contoocook and offers regular tours.
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Countryside cottages and colonial-revival residences

Residential neighborhoods sit on smaller side streets that branch off from Route 103. Residents can choose to live a more rural lifestyle in countryside Cape Cods with gravel driveways and spaced-out neighbors divided by tall copses of New Hampshire forests. Closer to town are little suburban streets with paved driveways and spacious sidewalks. These New England homes in Colonial styles sit on nice-sized lots with nearby neighbors. There are few riverside homes, as some lots and roadways may be prone to flooding or high waters during heavy rainfall. Housing in Contoocook may often range between $350,000 and $650,000.

Spacious driveways and homes tucked off the street are a popular option for Contoocook buyers.
Spacious driveways and homes tucked off the street are a popular option for Contoocook buyers.
Homes sit on larger sun soaked lots throughout the Contoocook neighborhood.
Homes sit on larger sun soaked lots throughout the Contoocook neighborhood.
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Locally owned at the corner of Main and Maple

Contoocook’s hometown feel means that there are only a few locally owned restaurants in the village. Riverside Pizza was originally called Dimitri’s Pizza, which was owned by the Tsihlis family since 1989. Steve and his brother, who were friends of the family, bought the restaurant in 2022. “We’ve kept as much as the original establishment as we can, and the recipes are the same. The majority of our customers are repeat, local community members, but all year long we’ll get tourists passing through to reach Lake Sunapee or for leaf peeping in fall or skiing in winter,” Lux says. The Everyday Cafe and Pub is an all-day affair with breakfasts, baked goods, beer on tap and sandwiches to go. Colonial Village Supermarket is right on Park Avenue for everyday groceries and essentials, while Union House Oddities is an antique store with vintage art, glassware and accessories. Other locally owned spots include places like Contoocook Quiltworks and Tooky Village Barber Shop.

Snag a table with the ski lift for a booth at the Everyday Cafe in Contoocook.
Snag a table with the ski lift for a booth at the Everyday Cafe in Contoocook.
Riverside Pizza in Contoocook is right in the middle of town and offers dine in options.
Riverside Pizza in Contoocook is right in the middle of town and offers dine in options.
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A village community in the New Hampshire countryside

Living in Contoocook often means embracing the small-town village atmosphere. Neighbors gather at the Contoocook Riverway Park or at nearby farms for events, fresh food and live music. Folks can tour family dairy farms like Beech Hill Farm or Contoocook Creamery and get a scoop of ice cream or a gallon of milk. They can pick blueberries and peaches or grab a pint of cider at Gould Hill Farm. The village hosts an end-of-summer concert series on weekends in August and September at the Lewellen Bandstand at Riverway Park next to the museum. Their annual fall festival takes place on a Saturday in September and includes food trucks, live music, fireworks and a cornhole tournament. In December, the village hosts its Starry Starry Weekend, which consists of local merchants and artisans selling their wares before Christmas.

Hopkinton District School programs and sports

The area’s school system benefits from being "a small district, so unlike a regional school, it has smaller class sizes and more opportunities,” Lux says. Contoocook students first attend Harold Martin School, which teaches kindergarten through third grade. Then then go to Maple Street Elementary School for fourth through sixth grade. The school focuses on various academic programs as well as green initiatives. The student “waste warriors” work to ensure that lunch leftovers are composted properly before being used in the school’s class gardens. For seventh through twelfth grade, students attend Hopkinton Middle High School. It is considered the smallest public high school in New Hampshire, with standalone teams for both boys and girls varsity sports, including lacrosse, for which it is well-known. “The high school also partners with Concord’s Regional Tech Center at Concord High School, so our students can take part in their programs, like automotive technical courses and emergency medical training,” Lux says. All schools are graded a B-plus on Niche.

Harold Martin School has an overall grade of B+ on Niche.
Harold Martin School has an overall grade of B+ on Niche.
Maple Street School in Hopkinton serves grades 4-6.
Maple Street School in Hopkinton serves grades 4-6.
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Commutes to Concord and nearby Hopkinton

Drivers can reach Concord in about 20 minutes by traveling 12 miles east via Interstate 89. Though Concord does have a local bus system, Contoocook does not. Most folks get around by car, or they can carefully bike into the village center from nearby homes. Concord Municipal Airport is small, and is often used by the National Guard. For commercial flights, the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is located 32 miles south and can be reached by driving down I-89 and then Interstate 293. For emergencies and checkups, Concord Hospital is 12 miles east via Interstate 89, or 9 miles for drivers who take the Hopkinton Road route.

Interstate 89 is a super convenient way for residents of Contoocook to get around.
Interstate 89 is a super convenient way for residents of Contoocook to get around.
Contoocook has a rich history and sits in a scenic part of New Hampshire.
Contoocook has a rich history and sits in a scenic part of New Hampshire.
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Shelby Sullivan
Written By
Shelby Sullivan
Noel Poage
Photography Contributed By
Noel Poage
Tyler Cataldo
Video By
Tyler Cataldo

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Connie Mullen, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Transit

Airport

Manchester Boston Regional

48 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Contoocook US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 1 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$399,900
Median Single Family Price
$456,500
Median Townhouse Price
$277,500
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$360,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$277,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$247
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
17
Months of Supply
0.70
Median List Price
$417,450
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-2%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
443
Median Year Built
1966
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,073
Above the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,056
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,499
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
33,105

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Connie Mullen, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,428
Median Age
48
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.2%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$91,354
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$104,633

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.8%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
38.4%
Advanced Degrees
20.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
70.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
13°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
64''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

28 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

45 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Contoocook
Connie Mullen
The Mullen Realty Group, LLC
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