Grafton, New Hampshire

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


image_

imagesize =
image_caption =

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Grafton 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 = Grafton
government_type =
leader_title = Board of Selectmen
leader_name =
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1778
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_km2 = 110.4
area_total_sq_mi = 42.6
area_land_km2 = 108.3
area_land_sq_mi = 41.8
area_water_km2 = 2.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.8
area_water_percent = 1.85
population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
population_total = 1138
population_density_km2 = 10.5
population_density_sq_mi = 27.2
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 43 |latm = 34 |lats = 24 |latNS = N
longd = 71 |longm = 58 |longs = 26 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 265
elevation_ft = 870
website = http://www.townofgrafton.com/
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 03240
area_code = 603
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 33-30820
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0873609
footnotes =

Grafton is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,138 at the 2000 census.

History

Originally granted in 1761, and re-granted in 1769, Grafton takes its name from Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, a relative of colonial governor Benning Wentworth. Grafton was incorporated in 1778.

Notable inhabitants

* John Hancock, founding father and among the recipients of the second grant.
* James Otis, among the recipients of the second grant.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of convert|42.6|sqmi|km2, of which convert|41.8|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is land and convert|0.8|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is water, comprising 1.85% of the town. The highest point in Grafton is the summit of Melvin Mountain, at convert|2177|ft|m above sea level. Grafton Pond is in the western part of town. Grafton lies mostly within the Merrimack River watershed, though the western edge of town is in the Connecticut River 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]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,138 people, 455 households, and 306 families residing in the town. The population density was 27.2 people per square mile (10.5/km²). There were 698 housing units at an average density of 16.7/sq mi (6.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.98% White, 0.26% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.09% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.53% of the population.

There were 455 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 111.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,654, and the median income for a family was $41,875. Males had a median income of $30,074 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,944. About 4.2% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Grafton was the subject of the Free Town Project, a movement meant to encourage libertarian adherents of the Free State Project to move to the town. Prime movers of the Free Town Project, such as Bob Hull, play increasingly influential [http://www.townofgrafton.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=231&Itemid=30 roles] in town politics. Pro-libertarian ideals are espoused in the anti-establishment [http://www.graftongazette.com "Grafton Gazette"] , a recently-begun local publication.

References

External links

* [http://www.townofgrafton.com Town website]
* [http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/htmlprofiles/grafton.html New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile]