Hampton, New Hampshire

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Hampton, New Hampshire
nickname =
motto =


image_

imagesize =
image_caption =

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Rockingham County, New Hampshire
settlement_type = Town


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Hampshire
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Rockingham
government_type =
leader_title = Board of Selectmen
leader_name = Ben Moore, Chair (2008)
Bill Lally, Vice-Chair (2009)
Virginia B. Bridle-Russell (2008)
James Workman (2009)
Rick Griffin (2010)
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1639
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_km2 = 37.8
area_total_sq_mi = 14.6
area_land_km2 = 33.7
area_land_sq_mi = 13.0
area_water_km2 = 4.0
area_water_sq_mi = 1.5
area_water_percent = 10.63
population_as_of = 2007
population_note =
population_total = 15,390
population_density_km2 = 456.7
population_density_sq_mi = 1183.8
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 42 |latm = 56 |lats = 15 |latNS = N
longd = 70 |longm = 50 |longs = 20 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 11
elevation_ft = 36
website = [http://www.hamptonnh.gov/ www.hamptonnh.gov]
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 03842–03843
area_code = 603
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 33-33060
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0873616
footnotes =

Hampton is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 14,937 at the 2000 census. Located beside the Atlantic Ocean, Hampton is home to Hampton Beach State Park at Hampton Beach, a summer tourist destination.

The densely-populated central settlement of the town, where over 61% of the population resides, is defined as the Hampton census-designated place (CDP) and is centered on the intersection of U.S. 1 and NH 27.

History

First called the "Plantation of Winnacunnet", Hampton was one of four original New Hampshire townships chartered by the General Court of Massachusetts, which then held authority over the colony. "Winnacunnet" is an Algonquian Abenaki word meaning "pleasant pines". The town was settled in 1638 by a group of parishioners led by Reverend Stephen Bachiler, who had formerly preached at the settlement's namesake: Hampton, England. Incorporated in 1639, the township once included Seabrook, Kensington, Danville, Kingston, East Kingston, Sandown, North Hampton and Hampton Falls.

Construction of the railroad in the 1850s, as well as the Exeter and Hampton Trolley line, made Hampton's oceanfront a popular resort. Hampton Beach remains a tourist destination, offering shops, restaurants, beaches, and summer seasonal housing.

Notable Inhabitants

* Rev. Stephen Bachiler, town founder
* Eunice "Goody" Cole, accused witch
* Henry Dearborn, physician & general
* Abraham Drake, Revolutionary War officer and politician
* Stephen E. Merrill, governor of New Hampshire
* Jonathan Moulton, general
* Tristram Shaw, United States Representative from New Hampshire

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of convert|14.6|sqmi|km2, of which convert|13.0|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is land and convert|1.5|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is water, comprising 10.63% of the town. The town center, or CDP, has a total area of convert|5.4|sqmi|km2|abbr=on, of which convert|5.4|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is land and convert|0.1|sqmi|km2|abbr=on (1.11%) is water.

Hampton is drained by the Hampton and Drakes rivers. The town lies fully within the New Hampshire Coastal watershed.cite book |title=Water Use in New Hampshire: An Activities Guide for Teachers |url=http://nh.water.usgs.gov/Publications/nh.intro.html |last=Foster |first=Debra H. |coauthors=Batorfalvy, Tatianna N.; and Medalie, Laura |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey |year=1995] The highest point in Hampton is Bride Hill (approximately convert|150|ft|m above sea level), near the town line with Exeter.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,937 people, 6,465 households, and 4,034 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,146.0 people per square mile (442.6/km²). There were 9,349 housing units at an average density of 277.0 persons/km² (717.3 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 97.57% White, 0.39% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,465 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 8.7% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 37.6% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the town the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $54,419, and the median income for a family was $66,000. Males had a median income of $46,727 versus $31,695 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,878. 5.9% of the population and 4.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.5% are under the age of 18 and 7.1% are 65 or older.

Town center

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,126 people, 3,800 households, and 2,473 families residing in the central settlement, or census-designated place (CDP). The population density was 1,701.4 people per square mile (657.4/km²). There were 4,020 housing units at an average density of 289.6 persons/km² (749.5 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the settlement was 97.81% White, 0.19% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.08% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,800 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 8.2% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

The median income for a household is $57,356, and the median income for a family was $71,094. Males had a median income of $50,130 versus $32,468 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,769. 3.9% of the population and 1.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 1.6% are under the age of 18 and 8.7% are 65 or older.

Sites of Interest

* [http://www.hamptonbeach.org/ Hampton Beach]
* [http://www.jameshousemuseum.org/ James House] (1723)
* [http://hamptonhistoricalsociety.org/tuck.htm Tuck Museum]

References

External links

* [http://www.hamptonnh.gov Town website]
* [http://www.nhstateparks.org/state-parks/alphabetical-order/hampton-beach-state-park/ Hampton Beach State Park]
* [http://hamptonhistoricalsociety.org/ Hampton Historical Society]
* [http://www.hampton.lib.nh.us Lane Memorial Library] , Hampton's public library (with town historical information)
* [http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/htmlprofiles/hampton.html New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile]
* [http://www.saugus.net/Photos/new_hampshire/Hampton_Beach/hampton_beach_new_hampshire_photographs.shtml Hampton Beach, New Hampshire Photographs]