About the Laconia, New Hampshire Area 

The magic of the water, the majesty of mountains --- the combination is the hub of New Hampshire, Laconia and the Lakes Region. Laconia is the Lake Region's principal city. Set in the mid-eastern sector of the Granite State, the Lakes Region's history dates back to Indian lore, to Colonial times, to Henry David Thoreau's trek up the Merrimack River where he boarded a Concord coach to seek the big lake. He stood both at the Weirs Channel and later on Red Hill to admire the length and breadth of the giant waters, such a contrast to the pond he lived on, the rivers he traversed. "There are all the shapes and hues of the kaleidoscope, and the designs and ciphers of books of heraldry. Every time I see a nodding pine top, it seems as if a new fashion of weaving plumes had come into vogue." 

Location
Set in the center of the state, and just two hours from Boston, New Hampshire's Lake Region is a heavenly place to live. Laconia is the county seat of Belknap County, and includes the Villages of Lakeport and Weirs Beach. The closest large city is Manchester, 40 miles away.  

Airports
Manchester airport is the primary facility serving the Lakes Region, 43 miles away. Pease International Tradeport is 56 miles from Laconia, in Portsmouth, and Hanscom Field is 76 miles, in Bedford, Massachusetts. 

Terrain
Laconia is located between Lakes Winnisquam and Winnipesaukee. The elevation of Laconia is 506 feet. 

The city has a total area of 26.6 square miles, including 20.3 miles of land and 6.3 square miles of water. The total area is 23.7% water. Laconia is drained by the Winnipesaukee River. It is bounded on the southwest by Winnisquam Lake and by Lake Winnipesaukee in the northeast.  

Population
The estimated population of Laconia in July 2004 was 17,133 people.  

Over 80% of the adult residents have completed high school; 20% have earned a bachelor’s degree, and 7% have attained a graduate or professional degree. 

Jobs
In Laconia, 53% of the employable population live and work in the city. The primary industries providing employment are education, health and social services (19.5%), manufacturing (18.5%) and retail trade (16.2%).  

The average commute, for those who work outside of the city, is 22 minutes. 

Colleges/Universities
New Hampshire Community Tech College and the Empire Beauty School are both located in Laconia. In addition, the nearest colleges and universities with over 2000 students are: Plymouth State College, New Hampshire College, the University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, Dartmouth College, Northern Essex Community College, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and St. Joseph’s College. 

Housing
The average selling price for homes in Laconia is $268,502 (2005).
Laconia offers some multi-million dollar lakefront properties and reasonable offerings with beach access in the $200,000’s. Additionally there are updated town-homes, condominiums and newly constructed single-family homes available in beautiful settings. 

Historic Site
The Endicott Rock Historic Site is in Laconia, preserved by the New Hampshire Division of Parks. Endicott Rock may be the oldest public monument in New England. The name of John Endicott, Governor of Massachusetts Bay, (and the initials of Edward Johnson and Simon Willard, commissioners of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and of John Sherman and Jonathan Ince, surveyors,) were inscribed on the rock on August 1, 1652. The rock marked what was assumed to be the headwaters of the Merrimack River. Endicott Rock is open year-round and is free to the public. 

Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
With 273 lakes and ponds in the region, this area is rich in recreational diversity. There is something for everyone --- swimming, boating, and fishing to hiking, bicycling and birding. A host of outdoor sports and recreational opportunities are available at nearby Ahern State Park. 

Laconia Country Club has a semi-private 18-hole golf course, and Lakeview Golf Club has a semi-private 9-hole course. 

The Soucook River has stretches of white water popular for white river rafting.  

Special Attractions/Events
Laconia and the Lakes Region offers affordable family attractions, fascinating historic sites, outstanding tax-free shopping, plus some of the finest restaurants and accommodations to be found anywhere in the East.  

There is plenty of live music, movies, theater and the arts to choose from, too.  

Each June, the city hosts Laconia Motorcycle Week, one of the country's largest rallies, and each winter, the Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby.  

In the Lakes Region, you will find a welcome as warm as a sunny summer day, no matter what the season. This region is famous for a long tradition of hospitality. 

Interesting Facts
The community was named for the development company that sold lots here. Former community names include Meredith Bridge.  

A colonial fort was built here in 1746. 

Laconia was ranked the top hometown in the State of New Hampshire in February 2001, by the ePodunk Home Towns Index. 

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