Campton, New Hampshire Explained

Official Name:Campton, New Hampshire
Mapsize:250px
Settlement Type:Town
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:New Hampshire
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Grafton
Parts Type:Villages
Leader Title:Board of Selectmen
Leader Title1:Town Administrator
Leader Name1:Kate O'Connor
Established Title:Incorporated
Established Date:1767
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:136.1
Area Land Km2:134.3
Area Water Km2:1.8
Area Water Percent:1.33
Population As Of:2020
Population Footnotes:[2]
Population Total:3343
Population Density Km2:24.9
Timezone:Eastern
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:Eastern
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Coordinates:43.8647°N -71.6367°W
Elevation M:206
Elevation Ft:676
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:03223
Area Code:603
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:33-08660
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0873556

Campton is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,343 at the 2020 census.[2] Campton, which includes the villages of Blair, Campton Hollow, Lower Campton and West Campton, is home to Blair State Forest and Livermore Falls State Forest. It is located in the foothills of the White Mountains, and parts of the White Mountain National Forest are in the northeast and northwest.

History

Both Campton and adjacent Rumney were granted by Governor Benning Wentworth in 1761 to Jabez Spencer of East Haddam, Connecticut, then settled about 1765. But Captain Spencer died before terms of the charter, which required settlement by 50 families, each farming 5acres for every 50 received, were fulfilled. Two families, named Fox and Taylor, first settled here in 1765.[3] In 1767, Governor John Wentworth issued the heirs and others a new grant. Campton got its name when the first proprietors built a camp here to survey the two towns.[4]

Although the surface is mountainous and ledgy, farmers found good soil for cultivation in the intervales along the rivers. By 1859, when the population was 1,439, industries included one sawmill, one gristmill, one tannery and a carriage shop.[4] The town has three covered bridges, including Blair Bridge, which is 292feet, 10 inches long, making it the second longest of those entirely within the state.[5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 136.1km2, of which 134.3km2 are land and 1.8km2 are water, comprising 1.33% of the town.[1] The highest point in Campton is Mount Weetamoo, at 2548feet above sea level. The town is drained by the Pemigewasset River and its tributaries the Mad River, Beebe River, West Branch Brook, and Bog Brook. Campton lies fully within the Merrimack River watershed.[6]

The town is crossed by Interstate 93, U.S. Route 3, New Hampshire Route 49 and New Hampshire Route 175. Starting with the 2012 election, Campton was redistricted from NH's 2nd Congressional District to New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District; it was the only town in Grafton County to be redistricted.

Demographics

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 2,719 people, 1,128 households, and 759 families residing in the town. The population density was 52.4sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 1,759 housing units at an average density of 33.9sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the town was 98.01% White, 0.04% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, and 1.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.40% of the population.

There were 1,128 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,213, and the median income for a family was $46,492. Males had a median income of $30,640 versus $24,688 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,189. About 5.8% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

Sites of interest

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files – New Hampshire . United States Census Bureau . November 19, 2021.
  2. Web site: Campton town, Grafton County, New Hampshire: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171). U.S. Census Bureau. November 19, 2021.
  3. http://gedcomindex.com/Reference/New_Hampshire_1875/080.html Article in Statistics and Gazetteer of New-Hampshire (1875)
  4. https://books.google.com/books?id=OcoMAAAAYAAJ&dq=coolidge%20mansfield%20history%20description%20new%20england%201859&pg=PA431 Austin J. Coolidge & John B. Mansfield, A History and Description of New England; Boston, Massachusetts 1859
  5. http://www.nh.gov/nhdhr/bridges/p77.html New Hampshire Covered Bridges -- Blair Bridge
  6. Book: Foster, Debra H. . Water Use in New Hampshire: An Activities Guide for Teachers . Batorfalvy, Tatianna N. . Medalie, Laura . U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey . 1995.
  7. Web site: U.S. Census website . . January 31, 2008 .
  8. Web site: LIVERMORE, Arthur, (1766 - 1853). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . January 14, 2014.