New Hampton, New Hampshire

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New Hampton, New Hampshire
Location in Belknap County, New Hampshire
Location in Belknap County, New Hampshire
Coordinates: 43°36′19″N 71°39′10″W / 43.60528, -71.65278
Country United States
State New Hampshire
County Belknap
Incorporated 1777
Government
 - Board of Selectmen Merritt "Doug" Salmon, Chair
Thomas R. Smith
Paul J. Tierney
Area
 - Total 38.2 sq mi (99.0 km²)
 - Land 36.7 sq mi (95.1 km²)
 - Water 1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)  3.93%
Elevation 525 ft (160 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 1,950
 - Density 53.1/sq mi (20.5/km²)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 03256
Area code(s) 603
FIPS code 33-51540
GNIS feature ID 0873679
Website: www.new-hampton.nh.us/newhampton

New Hampton is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,950 at the 2000 census. A winter sports resort area, New Hampton is home to George Duncan State Forest and to the New Hampton School, a private preparatory school established in 1821.

Contents

[edit] History

Lewis Mansion c. 1910
Lewis Mansion c. 1910

Granted in 1765 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth, New Hampton was originally known as "Moultonborough Addition" after then-Colonel Jonathan Moulton, who held the position of town moderator. Moulton, who was born in Hampton, changed the name to "New Hampton" in 1777 when it was incorporated.

A Free Will Baptist school known as the New Hampton Institute existed in the town in the 19th century. From 1854 to 1870, the institute was affiliated with Cobb Divinity School (later part of Bates College).

In 1920, the New Hampton Fish Hatchery, the state's oldest fish hatchery, was established in the town.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 38.2 square miles (99 km²), of which 36.7 sq mi (95 km²) is land and 1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²) is water, comprising 3.93% of the town. New Hampton is bounded on the west and southwest by the Pemigewasset River. Pemigewasset Lake is in the center, and Winona Lake and Lake Waukewan are in the northeast. The highest point in New Hampton is 1,840 feet (561 m) above sea level atop the west ridge of Hersey Mountain, whose 2,001-foot (610 m) summit lies just over the town boundary in Sanbornton.

The geographic center of New Hampshire is located in the eastern part of New Hampton, between Winona Lake and Jackson Pond, at 43.67925 N, 71.580375 W.[1]

[edit] Demographics

Berry Hall c. 1912
Berry Hall c. 1912

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 1,950 people, 726 households, and 538 families residing in the town. The population density was 53.1 people per square mile (20.5/km²). There were 944 housing units at an average density of 25.7/sq mi (9.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.28% White, 0.31% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.62% of the population.

There were 726 households out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.06.

Randall Hall c. 1910
Randall Hall c. 1910

In the town the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $47,583, and the median income for a family was $52,366. Males had a median income of $32,095 versus $26,181 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,336. About 2.7% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Notable inhabitants

[edit] Sites of Interest

  • Chapel Museum
  • Daniel Smith Tavern (c. 1805)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Languages