Lancaster, New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
Lancaster is a town
in Coos County
, New Hampshire
, USA, on the Connecticut River
named after Lancaster, England
. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 3,507, the second largest in the county after Berlin
. It is the county seat
of Coos County and gateway to the Great North Woods Region
. Lancaster, which includes the villages of Grange and South Lancaster, is home to Weeks State Park and the Lancaster Fair. Part of the White Mountain National Forest
is in the eastern portion. The town is part of the Berlin
, NH–VT
Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
The primary settlement in town, where 1,725 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Lancaster census-designated place
(CDP) and is located at the junctions of U.S. Route 3
and U.S. Route 2
, along the Israel River
.
Governor Benning Wentworth
to Captain David Page of Petersham, Massachusetts
, the town was settled in 1764 by his son, David Page, Jr. and Emmons Stockwell. It was the first settlement north of Haverhill
, 50 miles (80.5 km) to the south, and originally included land in what is now Vermont
. Situated on the northern Connecticut River
, the community endured many Indian
hostilities. It would be named for Lancaster, Massachusetts
, hometown of an early inhabitant. Reverend Joshua Weeks, a grantee of the town, was among the group of explorers who named the mountains of the Presidential Range
. Other grantees were Timothy Nash and Benjamin Sawyer, who discovered Crawford Notch
in 1771, making a shorter route to Portland, Maine
possible.
Many water-powered mills have come and gone, including sawmill
s, several potato starch
mills, one of the largest gristmill
s in the state, and carriage
factories. A granite
quarry operated in the Kilkenny Range
. With fertile meadows beside the Connecticut River, Lancaster was in 1874 the twelfth most productive agricultural town in the state. An extension of the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad shipped products to market, and brought tourists to the grand hotels in the area.
Just south of the village center is Mount Prospect, summer home to Senator
John W. Weeks
, who sponsored congressional legislation creating White Mountain National Forest. In 1910, he purchased several farms to assemble the 420 acres (170 ha) estate. It is now Weeks State Park, which features a fire lookout
and his mansion, open for tours during the summer. A ski
rope tow operates on the slope in winter. Many of the White Mountains
and Green Mountains
can be seen from the stone observation tower
built in 1912 atop the 2059 feet (627.6 m) summit. The Presidential Range
is to the southeast, with the Franconia Range
to the south. Mount Weeks
, elevation 3900 ft (1,188.7 m), is in the Kilkenny Range to the northeast. It is named for the senator, as is the Weeks Medical Center. Weeks Memorial Library, a Beaux Arts landmark
listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 2000, was given by John W. Weeks in memory of his father, William Dennis Weeks.
, the town has a total area of 50.7 square miles (131.3 km²), of which 49.8 square miles (129 km²) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) is water, comprising 1.73% of the town. The town center, or census-designated place
, has a total area of 2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²), of which 2 sq mi (5.2 km²) is land and the remainder (1.44%) is water.
Lancaster is drained by the Israel River
, and is fully within the Connecticut River
watershed
. The town also includes Martin Meadow Pond. The town's highest point is located on a western spur of Mount Cabot
at 3290 feet (1,002.8 m) above sea level
.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 3,280 people, 1,286 households, and 866 families residing in the town. The population density
was 65.5 people per square mile (25.3/km²). There were 1,501 housing units at an average density of 11.6 units/km² (30.0 units/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 98.08% White, 0.06% African American
, 0.27% Native American, 0.21% Asia
n, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 0.64% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 1,286 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples
living together, 10.5% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 32.6% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,305, and the median income for a family was $43,333. Males had a median income of $36,923 versus $21,458 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $19,905. 9.7% of the population and 6.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 10.6% are under the age of 18 and 14.8% are 65 or older.
of 2000, there were 1,695 people, 706 households, and 429 families residing in the main village, or census-designated place
, of Lancaster. The population density
was 825.0 people per square mile (319.2/km²). There were 803 housing units at an average density of 151.2 persons/km² (390.9 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 98.11% White, 0.06% African American
, 0.18% Native American, 0.24% Asia
n, 0.12% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 706 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples
living together, 14.0% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 39.2% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the settlement the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males.
The median income for a household is $35,147, and the median income for a family was $41,328. Males had a median income of $37,708 versus $20,580 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,464. 9.7% of the population and 6.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 6.9% are under the age of 18 and 20.7% are 65 or older.
and U.S. Route 3
and is the northern terminus of New Hampshire Route 135
, which leads to Dalton
and points beyond. A seldom-used railroad track of the Maine Central Railroad
skirts the Connecticut River
, and a branch at Coos Junction leaves for Jefferson
and Waumbek Junction. The Mount Washington Regional Airport
is located 11 miles (17.7 km) away in adjacent Whitefield
. As of January 2006, Lancaster is also served by The Tri-Town Bus, a public transportation route connecting with Whitefield
and Littleton
.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Coos County
Coos County, New Hampshire
-National protected areas:*Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge *Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge *White Mountain National Forest -Demographics:...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, USA, on the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
named after Lancaster, England
Lancaster, Lancashire
Lancaster is the county town of Lancashire, England. It is situated on the River Lune and has a population of 45,952. Lancaster is a constituent settlement of the wider City of Lancaster, local government district which has a population of 133,914 and encompasses several outlying towns, including...
. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 3,507, the second largest in the county after Berlin
Berlin, New Hampshire
Berlin is a city along the Androscoggin River in Coos County in northern New Hampshire, United States. The population was 10,051 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of Cascade. Located on the edge of the White Mountains, the city's boundaries extend into the White Mountain National Forest...
. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Coos County and gateway to the Great North Woods Region
Great North Woods Region (New Hampshire)
The Great North Woods Region is located at the northern tip of New Hampshire, U.S.A., north of the White Mountains Region. The Great North Woods is a tourism region of New Hampshire and is located in Coos County...
. Lancaster, which includes the villages of Grange and South Lancaster, is home to Weeks State Park and the Lancaster Fair. Part of the White Mountain National Forest
White Mountain National Forest
The White Mountain National Forest is a federally-managed forest contained within the White Mountains in the northeastern United States. It was established in 1918 as a result of the Weeks Act of 1911; federal acquisition of land had already begun in 1914. It has a total area of...
is in the eastern portion. The town is part of the Berlin
Berlin, New Hampshire
Berlin is a city along the Androscoggin River in Coos County in northern New Hampshire, United States. The population was 10,051 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of Cascade. Located on the edge of the White Mountains, the city's boundaries extend into the White Mountain National Forest...
, NH–VT
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Berlin micropolitan area
The Berlin Micropolitan Statistical Area is the core based statistical area centered on the urban cluster associated with the city Berlin, New Hampshire in the United States...
.
The primary settlement in town, where 1,725 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Lancaster census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) and is located at the junctions of U.S. Route 3
U.S. Route 3
U.S. Route 3 is a north–south United States highway that runs from its southern terminus in Cambridge, Massachusetts through New Hampshire to its terminus near Third Connecticut Lake at the Canadian border, where the road continues north as Quebec Route 257.In New Hampshire parts of US 3 are...
and U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2 is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada...
, along the Israel River
Israel River
The Israel River is a river in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It arises in the township of Low and Burbank's Grant and runs 24 miles generally northwest along U.S. Highway 2, traversing the towns of Jefferson and Lancaster, before joining the Connecticut River...
.
History
Granted as Upper Coos in 1763 by ColonialColony
In politics and history, a colony is a territory under the immediate political control of a state. For colonies in antiquity, city-states would often found their own colonies. Some colonies were historically countries, while others were territories without definite statehood from their inception....
Governor Benning Wentworth
Benning Wentworth
Benning Wentworth was the colonial governor of New Hampshire from 1741 to 1766.-Biography:The eldest child of the John Wentworth who had been Lieutenant Governor, he was born and died in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Wentworth graduated from Harvard College in 1715...
to Captain David Page of Petersham, Massachusetts
Petersham, Massachusetts
Petersham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,234 at the 2010 census. Petersham is home to a considerable amount of conservation land, including the Quabbin Reservation, Harvard Forest, the Swift River Reservation, and Federated Women's Club State...
, the town was settled in 1764 by his son, David Page, Jr. and Emmons Stockwell. It was the first settlement north of Haverhill
Haverhill, New Hampshire
Haverhill is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,697 at the 2010 census. Haverhill includes the villages of Woodsville, Pike, and North Haverhill, the historic town center at Haverhill Corner, and the district of Mountain Lakes...
, 50 miles (80.5 km) to the south, and originally included land in what is now Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. Situated on the northern Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, the community endured many Indian
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
hostilities. It would be named for Lancaster, Massachusetts
Lancaster, Massachusetts
Lancaster is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. Incorporated in 1653, Lancaster is the oldest town in Worcester County...
, hometown of an early inhabitant. Reverend Joshua Weeks, a grantee of the town, was among the group of explorers who named the mountains of the Presidential Range
Presidential Range
The Presidential Range is a mountain range located in the White Mountains of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. Containing the highest peaks of the Whites, its most notable summits are named for American Presidents, followed by prominent public figures of the 18th and 19th centuries.Mt...
. Other grantees were Timothy Nash and Benjamin Sawyer, who discovered Crawford Notch
Crawford Notch
Crawford Notch is the steep and narrow gorge of the Saco River in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, located almost entirely within the town of Hart's Location...
in 1771, making a shorter route to Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
possible.
Many water-powered mills have come and gone, including sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
s, several potato starch
Potato starch
Potato starch is starch extracted from potatoes. The cells of the root tubers of the potato plant contain starch grains . To extract the starch, the potatoes are crushed; the starch grains are released from the destroyed cells...
mills, one of the largest gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
s in the state, and carriage
Carriage
A carriage is a wheeled vehicle for people, usually horse-drawn; litters and sedan chairs are excluded, since they are wheelless vehicles. The carriage is especially designed for private passenger use and for comfort or elegance, though some are also used to transport goods. It may be light,...
factories. A granite
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
quarry operated in the Kilkenny Range
Mountain range
A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...
. With fertile meadows beside the Connecticut River, Lancaster was in 1874 the twelfth most productive agricultural town in the state. An extension of the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad shipped products to market, and brought tourists to the grand hotels in the area.
Just south of the village center is Mount Prospect, summer home to Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
John W. Weeks
John W. Weeks
John Wingate Weeks was an American politician in the Republican Party. He served as a United States Representative for Massachusetts from 1905 to 1913, as a United States Senator from 1913 to 1919, and as Secretary of War from 1921 to 1925.-Life and career:Weeks was born and raised in Lancaster,...
, who sponsored congressional legislation creating White Mountain National Forest. In 1910, he purchased several farms to assemble the 420 acres (170 ha) estate. It is now Weeks State Park, which features a fire lookout
Fire lookout
A fire lookout is a person assigned the duty to look for fire from atop a building known as a fire lookout tower. These towers are used in remote areas, normally on mountain tops with high elevation and a good view of the surrounding terrain, to spot smoke caused by a wildfire.Once a possible fire...
and his mansion, open for tours during the summer. A ski
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
rope tow operates on the slope in winter. Many of the White Mountains
White Mountains (New Hampshire)
The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, they are considered the most rugged mountains in New England...
and Green Mountains
Green Mountains
The Green Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Vermont. The range extends approximately .-Peaks:The most notable mountains in the range include:*Mount Mansfield, , the highest point in Vermont*Killington Peak, *Mount Ellen,...
can be seen from the stone observation tower
Observation tower
An observation tower is a structure used to view events from a long distance and to create a full 360 degree range of vision. They are usually at least tall and made from stone, iron, and wood. Many modern towers are also used as TV towers, restaurants, or churches...
built in 1912 atop the 2059 feet (627.6 m) summit. The Presidential Range
Presidential Range
The Presidential Range is a mountain range located in the White Mountains of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. Containing the highest peaks of the Whites, its most notable summits are named for American Presidents, followed by prominent public figures of the 18th and 19th centuries.Mt...
is to the southeast, with the Franconia Range
Franconia Range
The Franconia Range is a mountain range located in the White Mountains of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is the second-highest range of peaks in the White Mountains....
to the south. Mount Weeks
Mount Weeks
Mount Weeks is a mountain located in Coos County, New Hampshire.The mountain is named for United States Senator John W. Weeks of nearby Lancaster, New Hampshire, the sponsor of the Weeks Act of 1911, under which the White Mountain National Forest was established.Mt...
, elevation 3900 ft (1,188.7 m), is in the Kilkenny Range to the northeast. It is named for the senator, as is the Weeks Medical Center. Weeks Memorial Library, a Beaux Arts landmark
Landmark
This is a list of landmarks around the world.Landmarks may be split into two categories - natural phenomena and man-made features, like buildings, bridges, statues, public squares and so forth...
listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 2000, was given by John W. Weeks in memory of his father, William Dennis Weeks.
Notable residents
- GG AllinGG AllinKevin Michael "GG" Allin was an American punk rock singer-songwriter, who performed and recorded with many groups during his career. GG Allin is perhaps best remembered for his notorious live performances, which often featured transgressive acts, including coprophagia, self-mutilation, and...
, punk singer - Jacob BentonJacob BentonJacob Benton was a United States Representative from New Hampshire. He was born in Waterford, Vermont where he attended the common schools, Lyndon Academy, and Randolph Academy, and was graduated from Burr and Burton Seminary at Manchester, Vermont in 1839. He taught school for several years...
, United States Representative - Edward E. CrossEdward E. CrossEdward Ephraim Cross was a newspaperman and an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Journalist:...
, Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
colonel - Irving W. DrewIrving W. DrewIrving Webster Drew was a United States Senator from New Hampshire. Born in Colebrook, he attended Kimball Union Academy and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1870. He moved to Lancaster, New Hampshire, where he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1871 and commenced practice in Lancaster...
, United States Senator - Irving Hinkley, Attorney General of New Hampshire 1923-24
- Chester Bradley Jordan, Governor of New Hampshire
- Ossian RayOssian RayOssian Ray was a United States Representative from New Hampshire.-Early years:Ray was born in Hinesburg, Vermont and his family moved to Irasburg, Vermont when he was young. He attended the public schools and an academy in nearby Derby. He studied law in Irasburg and in Lancaster, New Hampshire,...
, United States Representative - John W. WeeksJohn W. WeeksJohn Wingate Weeks was an American politician in the Republican Party. He served as a United States Representative for Massachusetts from 1905 to 1913, as a United States Senator from 1913 to 1919, and as Secretary of War from 1921 to 1925.-Life and career:Weeks was born and raised in Lancaster,...
, Senator and U.S. Secretary of War - Sinclair WeeksSinclair WeeksCharles Sinclair Weeks , better known as Sinclair Weeks, was United States Secretary of Commerce from January 21, 1953 to November 10, 1958 under Dwight D. Eisenhower...
, Secretary of Commerce during Eisenhower Administration - Jared W. WilliamsJared W. WilliamsJared Warner Williams was an American lawyer and politician from Lancaster, New Hampshire. He graduated from Brown University at Providence, Rhode Island in 1818....
, Governor of New Hampshire
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 50.7 square miles (131.3 km²), of which 49.8 square miles (129 km²) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) is water, comprising 1.73% of the town. The town center, or census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
, has a total area of 2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²), of which 2 sq mi (5.2 km²) is land and the remainder (1.44%) is water.
Lancaster is drained by the Israel River
Israel River
The Israel River is a river in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It arises in the township of Low and Burbank's Grant and runs 24 miles generally northwest along U.S. Highway 2, traversing the towns of Jefferson and Lancaster, before joining the Connecticut River...
, and is fully within the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
. The town also includes Martin Meadow Pond. The town's highest point is located on a western spur of Mount Cabot
Mount Cabot
Mount Cabot is a mountain located in Coos County, New Hampshire. The mountain is the highest peak of the Pilot Range of the White Mountains. Cabot is flanked to the northeast by The Bulge, and to the south of Bunnell Notch by Terrace Mountain....
at 3290 feet (1,002.8 m) above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
.
Climate
Demographics
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,280 people, 1,286 households, and 866 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 65.5 people per square mile (25.3/km²). There were 1,501 housing units at an average density of 11.6 units/km² (30.0 units/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 98.08% White, 0.06% African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.27% Native American, 0.21% Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 0.64% of the population were Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race.
There were 1,286 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.5% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 32.6% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.94.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,305, and the median income for a family was $43,333. Males had a median income of $36,923 versus $21,458 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $19,905. 9.7% of the population and 6.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 10.6% are under the age of 18 and 14.8% are 65 or older.
Town center
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,695 people, 706 households, and 429 families residing in the main village, or census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
, of Lancaster. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 825.0 people per square mile (319.2/km²). There were 803 housing units at an average density of 151.2 persons/km² (390.9 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 98.11% White, 0.06% African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.18% Native American, 0.24% Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n, 0.12% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race.
There were 706 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.0% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 39.2% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the settlement the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males.
The median income for a household is $35,147, and the median income for a family was $41,328. Males had a median income of $37,708 versus $20,580 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $18,464. 9.7% of the population and 6.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 6.9% are under the age of 18 and 20.7% are 65 or older.
Utilities
| Electric Supplier | PSNH | |
| Natural Gas Supplier | No | |
| Water Supplier | Lancaster Water Department | |
| Sanitation | Municipal | |
| Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant | Yes | |
| Solid Waste Disposal | ||
| Curbside Trash Pickup | Private | |
| Pay-As-You-Throw Program | Yes | |
| Recycling Program | Voluntary | |
| Telephone Companies: | Fairpoint | |
| G4 Communications | ||
| Cellular Telephone Access | Cellular service has been expanded in Lancaster, NH by Verizon Wireless. http://www.examiner.com/p-352225~Verizon_Wireless_Expands_3G_Wireless_Network_in_Lancaster__New_Hampshire.html | |
| Cable Television Access | Yes | |
| Public-access television Public-access television Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels... Station |
No | |
| High Speed Internet Service: | ||
| - Business | G4 Communications | |
| - Residential | G4 MetroReach |
Transportation
Lancaster is at the intersection of U.S. Route 2U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2 is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada...
and U.S. Route 3
U.S. Route 3
U.S. Route 3 is a north–south United States highway that runs from its southern terminus in Cambridge, Massachusetts through New Hampshire to its terminus near Third Connecticut Lake at the Canadian border, where the road continues north as Quebec Route 257.In New Hampshire parts of US 3 are...
and is the northern terminus of New Hampshire Route 135
New Hampshire Route 135
New Hampshire Route 135 is a long north–south state highway in New Hampshire. The highway runs north along the Connecticut River from Woodsville to Lancaster....
, which leads to Dalton
Dalton, New Hampshire
Dalton is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 979 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Berlin, NH–VT Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
and points beyond. A seldom-used railroad track of the Maine Central Railroad
Maine Central Railroad
The Maine Central Railroad Company was a railroad in central and southern Maine. It was chartered in 1856 and began operations in 1862. It operated a mainline between South Portland, Maine, east to the Canada-U.S...
skirts the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, and a branch at Coos Junction leaves for Jefferson
Jefferson, New Hampshire
Jefferson is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,107 at the 2010 census. It is home to parts of the White Mountain National Forest in the south and northeast and to two theme parks: Santa's Village and...
and Waumbek Junction. The Mount Washington Regional Airport
Mount Washington Regional Airport
Mount Washington Regional Airport is a public airport located east of downtown Whitefield in Coos County, New Hampshire, USA. The Civil Air Patrol maintains a composite squadron at this location....
is located 11 miles (17.7 km) away in adjacent Whitefield
Whitefield, New Hampshire
Whitefield is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, USA, in the White Mountains Region. The population was 2,306 at the 2010 census. Situated on the northern edge of the White Mountains, Whitefield is home to the Mount Washington Regional Airport and the White Mountains Regional High...
. As of January 2006, Lancaster is also served by The Tri-Town Bus, a public transportation route connecting with Whitefield
Whitefield, New Hampshire
Whitefield is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, USA, in the White Mountains Region. The population was 2,306 at the 2010 census. Situated on the northern edge of the White Mountains, Whitefield is home to the Mount Washington Regional Airport and the White Mountains Regional High...
and Littleton
Littleton, New Hampshire
Littleton is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,928 at the 2010 census. Situated at the edge of the White Mountains, Littleton is bounded on the northwest by the Connecticut River....
.
Sites of interest
- John Wingate Weeks Historic Site & Lodge (1913)
- Lancaster Historical Society Museum
- Wilder-Holton HouseWilder-Holton HouseWilder-Holton House is a historic house at 226 Main Street in Lancaster, New Hampshire.It was built in 1780 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.-External links:*...
(1780)