Newfields, New Hampshire
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| Newfields, New Hampshire | |||
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | New Hampshire | ||
| County | Rockingham County | ||
| Incorporated | 1849 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Board of Selectmen | Janet McBride Smith, Chairman James McIlroy Wes Moore |
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| Area | |||
| - Town | 7.2 sq mi (18.6 km²) | ||
| - Land | 7.0 sq mi (18.2 km²) | ||
| - Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) | ||
| Elevation | 75 ft (23 m) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Town | 1,551 | ||
| - Density | 220.9/sq mi (85.3/km²) | ||
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) | ||
| Website: newfieldsnh.gov | |||
Newfields is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 1,551 at the 2000 census. It is drained by the Piscassic River and bounded to the east by the Squamscott River.
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[edit] History
First incorporated in 1849, Newfields was part of Exeter until 1727, when it became part of Newmarket. Settled in 1638, it was called Newfield Village as early as 1681, and later South Newmarket, a parish of that town. Garrison houses, built as protection against attack by Indians, were not uncommon.
In 1775, a bridge was built across the Squamscott River connecting the community with Stratham. This shortened the journey to Exeter, established that year as the Revolutionary capital. But the new route bypassed the center of town, built on either side of an ancient Squamscot Indian trail. This helped preserve Newfields as a quaint village of handsome old houses.
Wesleyan Academy was established here in 1817, a Methodist school of 5 boys and 5 girls under the tutelage of Reverend John Brodhead and others. Coeducation was then rather advanced. Unfortunately, the academy struggled financially from the start because of, as administrators would conclude, "...its location in a setting of relatively few Methodists, of limited means..." And so, in 1825, it removed to Wilbraham, Massachusetts. The academy's site is now occupied by the Newfields Elementary School.
In 1841, the Boston and Maine Railroad extended service to the community. In 1880, Dr. John M. Brodhead presented his own library and $10,000 to the town on condition that it be renamed Newfields. The town was so incorporated in 1895.
[edit] Notable Inhabitants
- William Badger (1752 - 1830), master shipbuilder of Portsmouth, born here
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.6 km² (7.2 mi²). 18.2 km² (7.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water, comprising 2.23% of the town. The highest point in Newfields is Oakland Hill (240 feet / 73 meters above sea level), on the town's southern border.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 1,551 people, 516 households, and 431 families residing in the town. The population density was 85.3/km² (220.9/mi²). There were 532 housing units at an average density of 29.3/km² (75.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.94% White, 0.13% African American, 0.84% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 516 households out of which 48.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.0% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.3% were non-families. 9.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 36.0% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $71,375, and the median income for a family was $75,078. Males had a median income of $50,417 versus $31,607 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,687. About 2.5% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
