Candia, New Hampshire Facts for Kids

Candia is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. It's a type of community known as a New England town. In 2020, about 4,013 people lived there. The town includes a few smaller areas called villages, such as Candia, Candia Four Corners, and East Candia.

Candia's History
Candia's Geography
- Nearby Towns
Who Lives in Candia?
Schools in Candia
Getting Around Candia
Fun Places to Visit
Keeping Candia Safe
Famous People from Candia
See also

Candia's History

Candia was first settled in 1743. It used to be part of a larger town called Chester. Back then, it was known as "Charmingfare." This name probably came from the many nice paths or "parades" that went through its beautiful scenery.

In 1763, Charmingfare became its own town. It was renamed Candia to honor Governor Benning Wentworth. He had once been held captive on the island of Candia, which is another old name for Crete in the Mediterranean Sea.

A railroad line, the Portsmouth and Concord Railroad, used to serve Candia. It connected the cities of Portsmouth and Concord. Over time, the railroad changed hands and routes. By 1895, the Boston and Maine Railroad owned it. Passenger trains stopped running in 1954. The last trains went through Candia in the early 1980s. The tracks were removed a few years later. Today, the old railroad path is a fun place for outdoor activities. It's now part of the Rockingham Recreational Trail.

Candia's Geography

Candia is located in the southeastern part of New Hampshire. It sits along the western edge of Rockingham County. To its west is Merrimack County.

The town covers about 79.2 square kilometers (30.6 square miles). Most of this area is land, about 78.6 square kilometers (30.3 square miles). A small part, about 0.6 square kilometers (0.2 square miles), is water. The main villages are Candia proper, Candia Four Corners, and East Candia.

Most of Candia's water flows east into the North Branch River. This river is part of the Piscataqua River watershed. The southern and western parts of town drain towards Massabesic Lake. This lake is in nearby Auburn. It's part of the Merrimack River watershed.

The highest point in Candia is Hall Mountain. It stands about 941 feet (287 meters) above sea level. This mountain is found in Bear Brook State Park.

Nearby Towns

Candia shares its borders with several other towns:

Deerfield (north)
Raymond (east)
Chester (southeast)
Auburn (south)
Hooksett (west)

Who Lives in Candia?

Soldiers' Monument

In 2020, the population of Candia was 4,013 people. The town has grown quite a bit over the years. For example, in 1790, there were 1,040 residents. By 1950, the population had grown to 1,243.

The people living in Candia form many families and households. About 40% of households have children under 18 living there. The average household has almost three people. The average family has a bit more than three people.

The population includes people of all ages. About 26.6% are under 18 years old. About 7.2% are 65 years or older. The average age in town is 38 years old.

Schools in Candia

Candia is part of School Administrative Unit 15. This unit also includes the towns of Hooksett and Auburn.

There is one public school in Candia called the Henry W. Moore School. This school teaches students from kindergarten through eighth grade. It is located near Candia Four Corners.

For high school, students from Candia go to schools outside the district. Currently, they attend Pinkerton Academy in Derry. Candia also has a private Christian school called Jesse Remington High School. It offers grades 9–12. Some students also go to other private high schools nearby.

In 2016, Candia voters decided to change their high school choice. They voted to send students to Pinkerton Academy instead of Manchester High School Central. This change became official in 2018.

Getting Around Candia

Three main state roads help people travel through Candia:

NH 27 goes from west to east. It connects Hooksett to Raymond. In Candia, it's known as High Street and Raymond Road.
NH 43 starts in Candia. It connects with NH 101 and then heads north towards Deerfield.
NH 101 is a major highway. It passes through the southern part of Candia. It connects Auburn to Raymond. There's an exit in Candia for NH 43.

Fun Places to Visit

Candia has several interesting places to visit:

Fitts Museum: This museum is run by the Candia Historical Society. It teaches about the town's past.
Candia Vineyards: This is a vineyard that has won awards for its unique wines.
Charmingfare Farm: A farm where you can see animals and enjoy a petting zoo.
Candia Springs Adventure Park: This used to be a water park called Liquid Planet. Now it's an adventure park.
Stephen Clay Homestead: A cozy bed and breakfast.
Candia Woods Golf Links: An 18-hole public golf course. It was even called New Hampshire's "Friendliest Course" by Golf magazine!

Fitts Museum
McDonald Mill around 1915
Gate, Candia Congregational Cemetery

Keeping Candia Safe

The Candia Fire Department provides fire and emergency medical services. It's a volunteer department that started in 1925. They have paid staff during the day. Volunteers and nearby towns help during other hours. They put out fires, perform rescues, and offer ambulance services. The closest hospitals are in Manchester and Exeter, about 20 minutes away.

The Candia Police Department provides police protection. They also get help from the New Hampshire State Police and other local police departments.

Famous People from Candia

Some notable people have come from Candia:

Sarah Bagley (1806–1889), an activist who worked for important causes.
Harry Cobe (1885–1966), a race car driver who competed in the first Indianapolis 500 race.
Joe Duarte (born 1941), who served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Sam Walter Foss (1858–1911), a well-known poet and librarian.
Albert Palmer (1831–1887), who became the 29th mayor of Boston.
Frederick Smyth (1819–1899), who was the 30th governor of New Hampshire.

Candia, New Hampshire facts for kids

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