Gilmanton, New Hampshire

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Gilmanton, New Hampshire
Official seal of Gilmanton, New Hampshire
Seal
Location in Belknap County, New Hampshire
Location in Belknap County, New Hampshire
Coordinates: 43°25′26″N 71°24′49″W / 43.42389, -71.41361
Country United States
State New Hampshire
County Belknap
Incorporated 1727
Government
 - Board of Selectmen Ella Jo Regan, Chairperson
Brian Forst
Donald J. Guarino
Area
 - Total 59.1 sq mi (153.0 km²)
 - Land 57.1 sq mi (147.9 km²)
 - Water 2.0 sq mi (5.1 km²)  3.30%
Elevation 988 ft (301 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 3,060
 - Density 53.6/sq mi (20.7/km²)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 03237
Area code(s) 603
FIPS code 33-28980
GNIS feature ID 0873604
Website: www.gilmantonnh.org

Gilmanton is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,060 at the 2000 census. Gilmanton includes the village of Gilmanton Iron Works.

Contents

[edit] History

High Street in c. 1907
High Street in c. 1907

Gilmanton was incorporated in 1727. First known as "Gilmantown," the town was home to the Gilman family, originally settled at Exeter.[1] Twenty-four members of the Gilman family received land grants in the new town of Gilmanton. (Other families related to the Gilmans also received grants in the new town, including the Dudleys, the Leavitts, the Folsoms and the Coffins.)[2] At one time it was the second-largest town in the state, following Portsmouth. The original town was larger than it is now, with villages and parishes including Belmont, Gunstock Parish (Gilford), Hurricane, Tioga, Factory Village and Lakeport. A parish first called Averytown, the site of an unprofitable iron-mining enterprise, is still known as Gilmanton Iron Works.

[edit] Notable Inhabitants

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 59.1 square miles (153 km²), of which 57.1 sq mi (148 km²) is land and 2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²) is water, comprising 3.30% of the town. The highest point in Gilmanton is Mount Mack, at 1,945 feet (593 m) above sea level, on the town line with Gilford. Crystal Lake is in the east, and Shellcamp Pond is in the west. Gilmanton lies fully within the Merrimack River watershed.[3]

[edit] Demographics

The Pines in c. 1910
The Pines in c. 1910

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 3,060 people, 1,165 households, and 900 families residing in the town. The population density was 53.6 people per square mile (20.7/km²). There were 1,848 housing units at an average density of 32.4/sq mi (12.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.59% White, 0.10% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.13% Asian, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.29% of the population.

There were 1,165 households out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.8% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 2.96.

Crystal Lake in 1909
Crystal Lake in 1909

In the town the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 102.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $50,542, and the median income for a family was $51,712. Males had a median income of $37,077 versus $27,727 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,163. About 3.3% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Sites of Interest

  • Carpenter Museum of Antique Outboard Motors

[edit] References

  1. ^ The History of Gilmanton: Embracing the Proprietary, Civil, Literary, etc., Daniel Lancaster, Gilmanton, Alfred Prescott, 1845
  2. ^ The History of Gilmanton, Daniel Lancaster, 1845
  3. ^ Foster, Debra H.; Batorfalvy, Tatianna N.; and Medalie, Laura (1995). Water Use in New Hampshire: An Activities Guide for Teachers. U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey. 
  4. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links

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