Litchfield, New Hampshire

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Litchfield, New Hampshire
Official seal of Litchfield, New Hampshire
Seal
Location in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
Location in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
Coordinates: 42°50′39″N 71°28′47″W / 42.84417, -71.47972
Country United States
State New Hampshire
County Hillsborough
Incorporated 1734
Government
 - Board of Selectmen Frank Byron, Chairman
Andrew Santom
Alfred Raccio
George Lambert
M. Patricia Jewett
Area
 - Total 15.4 sq mi (40.0 km²)
 - Land 15.1 sq mi (39.1 km²)
 - Water 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)  2.27%
Elevation 127 ft (39 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 7,360
 - Density 487.5/sq mi (188.2/km²)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 03052
Area code(s) 603
FIPS code 33-42260
GNIS feature ID 0873648
Website: www.litchfield.mv.com

Litchfield is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 7,360 at the 2000 census, with an estimated population of 8,582 in 2006.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

Originally known as Naticook, the name was changed to Brenton's Farm in 1729 when the land was granted to William Brenton, colonial governor of Rhode Island. The town was incorporated in 1734. After Brenton's death in 1749, the land was granted to another group of settlers and named Litchfield after George Henry Lee, Earl of Litchfield.

Wiseman Claget moved to his substantial estates here shortly before the Revolution. He was involved in the temporary government serving as the only Solicitor General, the post being abolished shortly before his death in 1784.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.4 square miles (40 km²), of which 15.1 sq mi (39 km²) is land and 0.3 sq mi (0.78 km²) is water, comprising 2.27% of the town. The highest point in Litchfield is the summit of Rocky Hill, at 357 feet (109 m) above sea level.

[edit] Neighboring cities and towns

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 7,360 people, 2,357 households, and 2,031 families residing in the town. The population density was 487.5 people per square mile (188.2/km²). There were 2,389 housing units at an average density of 158.3/sq mi (61.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.72% White, 0.53% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.

There were 2,357 households out of which 53.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.3% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.8% were non-families. 9.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.12 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the town the population was spread out with 33.4% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 37.8% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 3.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $73,302, and the median income for a family was $76,931. Males had a median income of $46,809 versus $33,488 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,203. About 2.2% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Law & Government

Town elections are held annually in March.

Major town issues/controversies:

  • Each year for the past 3 years a new elementary school, proposed to eventually replace Griffin Memorial School, has been defeated.
  • Town residents are also concerned about the increase of the number of high density 55+ communities being developed.

[edit] Education

There are three public schools in Litchfield:

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Languages