Suburban community in Rockingham County near Massachusetts
The area that is known today as Windham is the ancestral home of the Pawtucket people and was settled by Scotch-Irish immigrants in 1719. In the early 20th century, the stately Searles Castle was constructed in the middle of Windham; modeled after an English manor, the castle can now be rented out for special events. Today, Windham is a growing bedroom community in Rockingham County with a population exceeding 16,000 as of 2024. About 35 miles north of Boston and 20 miles from Manchester, Windham is mostly made up of subdivisions and undeveloped land.
The town’s population is projected to grow more than 20 percent in the next 25 years, according to a study by the Windham town government. As for what’s attracting that growing population, it’s a combination of things. “The school systems are great, and the proximity to Massachusetts and the Boston area is also a big draw,” says Kerry Raymond, a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker who sells across New Hampshire. The CAP Index Crime Score is also low across all parts of the community. And while Windham doesn’t have a central commercial area, it’s located near a retail corridor and family-friendly amusement park in neighboring Salem. Nearby outdoor recreational opportunities and proximity to Interstate 93 round-out the appeal of this southern New Hampshire town.
The single-family homes, townhouses and condos of Windham
The residential landscape is made up of quiet, tree-lined streets, cul-de-sacs and grassy lawns. Homes around Cobbetts Pond and Canobie Lake have a relaxed, waterfront vibe. Architectural styles include split-levels and New Traditional homes with Colonial elements. Average home values have been steadily rising for the past several years. “It’s still a steady housing market, but homes are staying on the market longer than they used to in the last three years,” Raymond says.
The median sale price is about $880,000; however, single-family homes start at about $650,000. Homes at the top of the price range, between $1 and $2 million, boast over 3,000 square feet on spacious, manicured lots. Larger, custom estates over $2 million are less common. Townhouses and condos are available at various price points, some of which are new constructions in a 55-plus community called Mid Trail Crossing.
Highly rated Windham School District
The Windham School District, rated A-minus on Niche, serves the area. The public-school pipeline begins with Golden Brook Elementary School, followed by Windham Center School and Windham Middle School. Windham High School, despite only graduating its first class in 2012, has over 50 individual state champions to its name, plus a state championship title from the girls’ lacrosse team in 2024. All schools are rated A-minus, apart from Windham Center School, which is rated A.
Windham’s beach, recreational trail and other outdoor attractions
Residents have access to a wide range of outdoor recreation in Windham. In the center of the community, residents-only Windham Town Beach is a place to unwind, sunbathe and paddleboard at Cobbetts Pond. Lifeguards are posted at this sandy beach every summer. The Windham Rail Trail is a four-mile paved path and part of the longer Granite State Rail Trail, which was built on top of a former railbed. Runners and cyclists may spot deer, turtles and other wildlife along the trail. The Windham Rail Trail hosts the Cheap Marathon, a popular Boston Marathon-qualifying race; in 2025, 550 runners finished the race, 31.3% of whom qualified for the Boston Marathon. Golfers can head to the public Windham Country Club, which hosts tournaments on its 18-hole course, in addition to training academies, specialty clinics and private instruction.
Canobie Lake Park is a small amusement park overlooking Canobie Lake, where visitors can enjoy kid-friendly rides, brave the roller coasters and watch the sunset over the lake. Canobie Lake Park includes a water park, which is open seasonally, and transforms into a spooky zone for the Halloween season. For family-friendly fun without the price of admission, Wonderland Park has a castle-like wooden play structure amongst the tall trees. Griffin Park has a playground, a walking path and well-kept athletic facilities.
Going out to eat in Windham and shopping in Salem
For over 20 years, Windham Junction Country Gift Shop & Kitchen has served breakfast and lunch on the shaded patio. After enjoying a hearty sandwich or plate of French toast, guests can browse the handmade art, local goods and holiday décor at the adjoining country store. Old School Bar & Grill offers a casual atmosphere for happy hour or a burger, plus live music on Sunday afternoons. Groceries are available at Shaw’s. In neighboring Salem, about 4 miles away, shopping centers line State Route 28, including The Mall at Rockingham Park, a tax-free shopping area with a Cinemark movie theater and retailers like Anthropologie and Sephora.
Windham’s community events and nearby attractions
Windham’s events benefit the community, like the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, which supports the local food pantry. The Strawberry Festival is a 40-year tradition that supports the library and features a book fair, food vendors and entertainment for kids, along with an abundance of locally grown strawberries prepared in a multitude of ways. America’s Stonehenge is a unique nearby attraction located next to an alpaca farm. The 4,000-year-old stone structure, which is widely considered to be the oldest structure built by humans in North America, functions as an astronomical calendar. It may look like a pile of rocks, but unlike Stonehenge in England, visitors can walk through the rocky underground chambers on a self-guided tour.
Getting around Rockingham County
Interstate 93 stretches through the community and leads about 35 miles south to Boston, while State Route 111 crosses east-west through Windham and leads to surrounding small towns. Emergency care is available at Parkland Medical Center, about 8 miles north of Windham, and at Mass General Brigham Healthcare Center, about 4 miles south. Air travel at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is about 18 miles away. There is no public transportation in Windham; people rely on cars, unless cyclists opt for the Windham Rail Trail, which roughly parallels the interstate and connects to neighboring towns.
