Hopkinton, New Hampshire

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


image_

imagesize =
image_caption =

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Merrimack 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 = Merrimack
government_type =
leader_title = Board of Selectmen
leader_name = Louise Carr, Chairman
Clarke Kidder
Peter Russell
Donald Lane
George Langwasser
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1765
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_km2 = 116.8
area_total_sq_mi = 45.1
area_land_km2 = 112.1
area_land_sq_mi = 43.3
area_water_km2 = 4.7
area_water_sq_mi = 1.8
area_water_percent = 3.99
population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
population_total = 5399
population_density_km2 = 48.2
population_density_sq_mi = 124.7
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 43 |latm = 11 |lats = 29 |latNS = N
longd = 71 |longm = 40 |longs = 31 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 154
elevation_ft = 505
website = [http://www.hopkinton-nh.gov/ www.hopkinton-nh.gov]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 03229
area_code = 603
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 33-37540
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0873630
footnotes =

Hopkinton is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,399 at the 2000 census. It consists of three villages: Hopkinton, West Hopkinton, and Contoocook. Hopkinton is home to the Hopkinton State Fair.

History

The town was granted by Colonial Governor Jonathan Belcher in 1735 as "Number 5" to settlers from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, who renamed it "New Hopkinton." First settled in 1736, colonists were required to build homes, fence in their land, plant it with English grass, and provide a home for a minister, all within seven years. The community would be incorporated in 1765 by Governor Benning Wentworth. Built in 1789, the Congregational Church has a Revere bell. The legislature met in Hopkinton occasionally between 1798 and 1807. In 1808, the town competed for the coveted position of state capitol, but was defeated by nearby Concord.

A substantial portion of the town in the north was named "Contoocook Village" for a tribe of the Pennacook Indians who once lived there. Due to its position along the Contoocook River, it became a center for water-powered industry, particularly lumber and textiles. The covered railroad bridge located in Contoocook Village is a remnant of the Boston & Maine Railroad, and is the oldest covered bridge of its kind still standing in the United States. [cite web |url=http://www.nh.gov/nhdhr/bridges/p21.html |title="RAILROAD BRIDGE, Hopkinton, New Hampshire" |publisher=New Hampshire Division of Historic Resources |accessdate=2008-01-10]

Since 1915, Hopkinton has been home to the Hopkinton State Fair, an event which attracts thousands of visitors each year during the Labor Day weekend.The high school teams are nicknamed the Hawks.

Notable Inhabitants

* John Lynch, Governor of New Hampshire

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of convert|45.1|sqmi|km2, of which convert|43.3|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is land and convert|1.8|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is water, comprising 3.99% of the town. Hopkinton is drained by the Contoocook and Warner rivers. The highest point in town is Shaker Hill, on the border with Henniker, with an elevation of convert|923|ft|m above sea level. Hopkinton lies fully within the Merrimack 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 5,399 people, 2,084 households, and 1,544 families residing in the town. The population density was 124.7 people per square mile (48.2/km²). There were 2,210 housing units at an average density of 51.1/sq mi (19.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.46% White, 0.13% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.

There were 2,084 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $59,583, and the median income for a family was $69,737. Males had a median income of $50,107 versus $28,974 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,753. About 0.7% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.

Sites of interest

* [http://www.littlenaturemuseum.org/ Little Nature Museum]
* [http://www.nhantiquarian.org/ New Hampshire Antiquarian Society]
* [http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?2007081622515524245.jpgContoocook Depot and Restored Pullman Passenger Coach]

References

External links

* [http://www.hopkinton-nh.gov Town website]
* [http://www.hopkintontownlibrary.org/ Hopkinton Town Library]
* [http://www.hsfair.org/ Hopkinton State Fair]
* [http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/htmlprofiles/hopkinton.html New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile]