Amherst, New Hampshire has a population of more than 11,000, which continues to grow each year as people are attracted to its well-regarded school system. A quiet community at the heart of southern New Hampshire's Souhegan Valley, the town offers an accessible location near Boston, the seacoast and the White Mountains, a thriving local business climate, striking natural and historical scenery, and excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure.

Amherst maintains a striking balance of historic rural ambience and contemporary business establishments. The community prides itself on preserving its colonial flair, the centerpiece of which is the village green in the center of town. The town center is filled with a bounty of historic architecture, including antique colonial homes, the original schoolhouse, the Village Market, Amherst Town Hall, a real estate office and the Congregational Church. Most of the community's industry and commerce is located on route 101A, outside the center of the town.

Residents enjoy annual events such as the December tree lighting festival, the fourth of July Parade and band concert, and Halloween festivities, all of which strengthen the ties in the community. Area students, along with those from neighboring Mont Vernon, attend the award-winning Souhegan High School, which operates under the Coalition of Essential Schools curriculum, a novel approach to education that emphasizes student independence.