Hopkinton, New Hampshire

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Hopkinton, New Hampshire
Town
Town hall

Seal
Location in Merrimack County, New Hampshire
Coordinates: 43°11′29″N 71°40′31″W / 43.19139°N 71.67528°W / 43.19139; -71.67528Coordinates: 43°11′29″N 71°40′31″W / 43.19139°N 71.67528°W / 43.19139; -71.67528
Country United States
State New Hampshire
County Merrimack
Incorporated 1765
Government
 • Board of Selectmen Jim O'Brien, Chair
Sue B. Strickford
George Langwasser
Sara Persechino
Ken Traum
Area
 • Total 45.1 sq mi (116.8 km2)
 • Land 43.3 sq mi (112.1 km2)
 • Water 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2)  3.99%
Elevation 505 ft (154 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 5,589
 • Density 120/sq mi (48/km2)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 03229
Area code(s) 603
FIPS code 33-37540
GNIS feature ID 0873630
Website www.hopkinton-nh.gov

Hopkinton is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,589 at the 2010 census.[1] The town has three distinct communities: Hopkinton village, mainly a residential area in the center of the town; Contoocook, the town's business hub, located in the north; and West Hopkinton, within the more agricultural portion of the town. The town is home to the Hopkinton State Fair, adjacent to Contoocook village, and to the historic Contoocook Railroad Depot and the Contoocook Railroad Bridge, the oldest covered railroad bridge in the United States.[2][3]

History

The town's first framed house, as seen in 1901

The town was granted by Colonial Governor Jonathan Belcher in 1735 as "Number 5" to settlers from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, who renamed it "New Hopkinton." First settled in 1736, colonists were required to build homes, fence in their land, plant it with English grass, and provide a home for a minister, all within seven years. The community would be incorporated in 1765 by Governor Benning Wentworth. Built in 1789, the Congregational Church has a Revere bell. The legislature met in Hopkinton occasionally between 1798 and 1807. In 1808, the town competed for the coveted position of state capitol, but was defeated by nearby Concord.

A substantial portion of the town in the north was named "Contoocook Village" for a tribe of the Pennacook Indians who once lived there. Due to its position along the Contoocook River, it became a center for water-powered industry, particularly lumber and textiles. The Contoocook covered railroad bridge in the village is a remnant of the Boston & Maine Railroad and is the oldest covered bridge of its kind still standing in the United States.[3] Next to the bridge is the Contoocook Railroad Depot, one of the original railroad depots for the Concord and Claremont Railroad.

Since 1915, Hopkinton has been home to the Hopkinton State Fair, an event which attracts thousands of visitors each year during the Labor Day weekend.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.1 square miles (117 km2), of which 43.3 sq mi (112 km2) is land and 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2) is water, comprising 3.99% of the town. Hopkinton is drained by the Contoocook and Warner rivers. The highest point in town is Shaker Hill, on the border with Henniker, with an elevation of 923 feet (281 m) above sea level. Hopkinton lies fully within the Merrimack River watershed.[4]

Demographics

Oldest part of village cemetery, as seen in 1901

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 5,399 people, 2,084 households, and 1,544 families residing in the town. The population density was 124.7 people per square mile (48.2/km²). There were 2,210 housing units at an average density of 51.1 per square mile (19.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.46% White, 0.13% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.

There were 2,084 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.01.

Old Parsonage in 1901

In the town the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $59,583, and the median income for a family was $69,737. Males had a median income of $50,107 versus $28,974 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,753. About 0.7% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public education is managed by the Hopkinton School District. Kindergarten through third grade students attend Harold Martin School in Hopkinton village, and fourth through sixth graders attend Maple Street School in Contoocook. Hopkinton Middle High School in Contoocook serves seventh through twelfth graders, and its sports teams are nicknamed the Hawks.

Sites of interest

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ United States Census Bureau, American FactFinder, 2010 Census figures. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  2. ↑ "RAILROAD BRIDGE, Hopkinton, New Hampshire". New Hampshire Division of Historic Resources. Retrieved 2008-01-10. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "RAILROAD BRIDGE, Hopkinton, New Hampshire". New Hampshire Division of Historic Resources. Retrieved 2008-01-10. 
  4. ↑ 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. 
  5. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  6. ↑ "FLANDERS, Alvan, (1825 - 1884)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 9, 2012. 

External links

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Municipalities and communities of Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States
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Footnotes
‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
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