The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire. It encompasses a populace of 42,695 people possesses a total area of 67.5 square miles. Concord is located entirely in the Merrimack River watershed, and it is centered upon the river, that runs from northwest to southeast through the city. The downtown area is located on a minimal terrace to the west of the river, having residential neighborhoods rising hills on the west as well as stretching southwards towards the town of Bow. Concord's town center area is extremely historic and serves a venue of dining establishments together with shops on Main Street. On the north end of Main Street is the Pierce Mansion, the place where President Franklin Pierce resided before and soon after his presidency.