Greenfield, New Hampshire Explained

Greenfield, New Hampshire should not be confused with Greenville, New Hampshire.

Official Name:Greenfield, 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:Hillsborough
Leader Title:Board of Selectmen
Leader Title1:Town Administrator
Leader Name1:Aaron K. Patt
Established Title:Incorporated
Established Date:1791
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:69.3
Area Land Km2:67.9
Area Water Km2:1.4
Area Water Percent:2.04
Population As Of:2020
Population Footnotes:[2]
Population Total:1716
Population Density Km2:25.3
Timezone:Eastern
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:Eastern
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Coordinates:42.9506°N -71.8722°W
Elevation Ft:840
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:03047
Area Code:603
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:33-31540
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0873611

Greenfield is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,716 at the 2020 census.[2] Greenfield is home to the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center, to Greenfield State Park, and to part of the Wapack Trail.

History

Originally known as "Lyndeborough Addition", the area was first settled by the Lynde family in 1753. Separated from the nearest church and school by the Monadnock hills, the residents successfully petitioned to form a new town in 1791, using the name "Greenfield" to highlight the area's level, fertile ground.[3]

In 1953, the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center began operation in Greenfield. Established by Harry Gregg, the facility on Crotched Mountain originally treated for polio, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other physical and neurological disabilities. A center for adult rehabilitation opened in 1961, and a rehabilitation center for adults with brain injuries in 1986. The complex today provides service to over 2,000 children and adults. In 2004, it unveiled the first wheelchair-accessible tree house in New Hampshire.

Greenfield is home to the Yankee Siege, considered the most powerful (current) trebuchet in the world, which has participated in the annual World Championship Punkin' Chunkin' Contest in Sussex County, Delaware, since 2004. The farthest official toss is as of 2008, although there are unofficial reports of 2000feetto2300feetft (toft) throws as of 2009.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 69.3sqkm, of which 67.9sqkm are land and 1.4sqkm are water, comprising 2.04% of the town.[1] The southeastern part of Greenfield is drained by Stony Brook, flowing southeast to the Souhegan River in Wilton, while the western part, including the town center, is drained by the Contoocook River and its tributary Otter Brook; the Contoocook forms the northwestern border of the town, where it passes through Powder Mill Pond. The northeastern corner of the town is drained by Rand Brook, a tributary of the South Branch of the Piscataquog River. Greenfield lies fully within the Merrimack River watershed.[4] North Pack Monadnock, elevation 2276feet above sea level, is the northernmost summit of the Wapack Range and the highest point in Greenfield, located in the extreme southern part of the town.

Adjacent municipalities

Demographics

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,657 people, 563 households, and 405 families residing in the town. The population density was 65.1sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 640 housing units at an average density of 25.1sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the town was 97.28% White, 0.72% African American, 0.84% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.60% of the population.

There were 563 households, out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 19.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.8% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $48,833, and the median income for a family was $56,250. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $24,438 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,895. About 2.4% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files – New Hampshire . United States Census Bureau . December 7, 2021.
  2. Web site: Greenfield town, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171). U.S. Census Bureau. December 7, 2021.
  3. Book: Coolidge, Austin J. . John B. Mansfield. A History and Description of New England. A.J. Coolidge. 1859. Boston, Massachusetts. 509. coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859..
  4. 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.
  5. Web site: U.S. Census website . . January 31, 2008 .