Swanzey, New Hampshire

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


image_

---

imagesize =
image_caption =

---

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Cheshire 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 = Cheshire
government_type =
leader_title = Board of Selectmen
leader_name = Deborah J. Davis, Chair
Nancy Carlson
Bruce L. Tatro
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1753
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_km2 = 117.5
area_total_sq_mi = 45.3
area_land_km2 = 116.5
area_land_sq_mi = 45.0
area_water_km2 = 0.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.4
area_water_percent = 0.79
population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
population_total = 6800
population_density_km2 = 58.4
population_density_sq_mi = 151.1
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 42 |latm = 52 |lats = 11 |latNS = N
longd = 72 |longm = 16 |longs = 54 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 150
elevation_ft = 492
website = [http://www.town.swanzey.nh.us/ www.town.swanzey.nh.us]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 03446
area_code = 603
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 33-75700
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0873735
footnotes =

Swanzey is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 6,800 at the 2000 census. In addition to the town center, Swanzey includes the villages of East Swanzey, West Swanzey, North Swanzey, and Westport.

History

First granted in 1733 as "Lower Ashuelot", Swanzey was one of the fort towns established by Colonial Governor Jonathan Belcher of Massachusetts, which then held authority over the province of New Hampshire. It was chartered in 1753 by Governor Benning Wentworth, and named "Swanzey" at the suggestion of Governor William Brenton of Rhode Island. Governor Brenton was a large landowner in "Brenton's Farm", now Litchfield, New Hampshire, and Swansea, Massachusetts, named after Swansea in Wales. The town was the site of many battles during King George's War. Situated on the Ashuelot River, West Swanzey would develop as a textile manufacturing center, and East Swanzey would produce wooden buckets for generations.

The town boasts four covered bridges, and was the home of theatrical trouper, Denman Thompson, who gained a national reputation by his portrayal of the Yankee farmer, "Joshua Whitcomb", star of his stage play, "The Old Homestead". Swanzey residents reproduce Thompson's melodrama every summer at a natural outdoor amphitheater called the "Potash Bowl".

Notable inhabitants

*Denman Thompson, playwright

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of convert|45.3|sqmi|km2|lk=on, of which convert|45.0|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is land and convert|0.4|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is water, comprising 0.79% of the town. Swanzey is drained by the Ashuelot River. The town's highest point is the summit of Franklin Mountain at convert|1423|ft|m|lk=on above sea level, on the border with Winchester.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 6,800 people, 2,666 households, and 1,874 families residing in the town. The population density was 151.1 people per square mile (58.4/km²). There were 2,818 housing units at an average density of 62.6/sq mi (24.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.32% White, 0.18% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 2,666 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $44,819, and the median income for a family was $51,500. Males had a median income of $32,421 versus $25,607 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,150. About 3.0% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Educational facilities in Swanzey include Monadnock Regional High School, Cutler Elementary School and Mt. Caesar Elementary School.

Sites of interest

* Swanzey Historical Museum

References

External links

* [http://www.town.swanzey.nh.us Town website]
* [http://mtcaesarunionlibrary.books.officelive.com/default.aspx Mt. Caesar Union Library]
* [http://www.keenenh.com/swanzey/library-stratton.asp Stratton Free Library]
* [http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/htmlprofiles/swanzey.html New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile]