A recent study by the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that Rumney City has the fourth-highest population density of any town in the state. This finding was based on Census data from the last three years. Residents of the city are particularly happy with their quality of life, and it is not surprising that the town is the most walkable in the entire state. The population density is just under eight people per square mile, and the city's economic development is a driving force.
Rumney received its town charter in 1761 from Governor Benning Wentworth, and was named after Robert Marsham, the second Baron Romney. Although this town failed to meet its settlement requirements, a second charter was issued in 1767 and 42.4 square miles of land were allocated to 65 families. Today, some descendants of these original owners of the town live here. In 1767, the first road into the village was built, and it was known as the Province Road. The road ran between Haverhill and Portsmouth.
The population of Rumney was relatively stable from 1900 to 1960, but the town suffered from an exodus to the city's neighboring towns. However, the town experienced a rapid growth period from 1960 to 1990, which was similar to that of the state as a whole. However, since then, the town's population has stabilized, with its 2010 US Census figure of 1480 being up over 60% from the 1960 census number.