Northfield, New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
Northfield is a town in Merrimack County
, New Hampshire
, United States
. The population was 4,829 at the 2010 census.
. In the late 1770s the residents of the "north fields" of Canterbury petitioned the State Legislature to become their own town, citing the difficulty of traveling to the town center to conduct business. In 1780 their petition was approved and the town of Northfield was created. Northfield has an uneven surface with some hills, the soil on which proved the most productive. Farming became the principal occupation. In 1848, the Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad opened to Northfield, helping it develop symbiotically with Tilton
across the river as a mill town
. The Winnipesaukee River
provided water power for mills
, and by 1859, when the population was 1,332, Northfield had a woolen
factory and a wrapping paper
mill.
, the town has a total area of 29 square miles (75.1 km²), of which 28.8 sq mi (74.6 km²) is land and 0.3 sq mi (0.776996433 km²) is water, comprising 0.89% of the town. It is drained by Williams Brook and the Winnipesaukee River
. The highest point in Northfield is the summit of Bean Hill at 1500 feet (457.2 m) above sea level
, in the southern part of town.
The town is served by Interstate 93 and state routes 132
and 140
.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 4,548 people, 1,706 households, and 1,211 families residing in the town. The population density
was 158.0 people per square mile (61.0/km²). There were 1,782 housing units at an average density of 61.9 per square mile (23.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.18% White, 0.13% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.15% from other races
, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.
There were 1,706 households out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples
living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $44,333, and the median income for a family was $48,787. Males had a median income of $33,051 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,466. About 0.9% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.4% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
Merrimack County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 136,225 people, 51,843 households, and 35,460 families residing in the county. The population density was 146 people per square mile . There were 56,244 housing units at an average density of 60 per square mile...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 4,829 at the 2010 census.
History
The area was settled in 1760 as a part of CanterburyCanterbury, New Hampshire
Canterbury is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,352 at the 2010 census. Canterbury is home to Ayers State Forest and Shaker State Forest. On the last Saturday in July, the town hosts the annual .- History :...
. In the late 1770s the residents of the "north fields" of Canterbury petitioned the State Legislature to become their own town, citing the difficulty of traveling to the town center to conduct business. In 1780 their petition was approved and the town of Northfield was created. Northfield has an uneven surface with some hills, the soil on which proved the most productive. Farming became the principal occupation. In 1848, the Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad opened to Northfield, helping it develop symbiotically with Tilton
Tilton, New Hampshire
Tilton is a town located on the Winnipesaukee River in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,567 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of Lochmere. Tilton is home to the Tilton School, a private preparatory school.-History:...
across the river as a mill town
Mill town
A mill town, also known as factory town or mill village, is typically a settlement that developed around one or more mills or factories .- United Kingdom:...
. The Winnipesaukee River
Winnipesaukee River
The Winnipesaukee River is a river that connects Lake Winnipesaukee with the Pemigewasset and Merrimack rivers in Franklin, New Hampshire. The river is located in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire. The total drainage area of the river is approximately .There are two distinct sections of...
provided water power for mills
Watermill
A watermill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping .- History :...
, and by 1859, when the population was 1,332, Northfield had a woolen
Woolen
Woolen or woollen is a type of yarn made from carded wool. Woolen yarn is soft, light, stretchy, and full of air. It is thus a good insulator, and makes a good knitting yarn...
factory and a wrapping paper
Wrapping Paper
"Wrapping Paper" is a song with music composed by Jack Bruce and lyrics by Pete Brown, performed by Cream and originally released as a single in 1966 with "Cat's Squirrel" as the B side. It is featured on The Very Best of Cream...
mill.
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 29 square miles (75.1 km²), of which 28.8 sq mi (74.6 km²) is land and 0.3 sq mi (0.776996433 km²) is water, comprising 0.89% of the town. It is drained by Williams Brook and the Winnipesaukee River
Winnipesaukee River
The Winnipesaukee River is a river that connects Lake Winnipesaukee with the Pemigewasset and Merrimack rivers in Franklin, New Hampshire. The river is located in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire. The total drainage area of the river is approximately .There are two distinct sections of...
. The highest point in Northfield is the summit of Bean Hill at 1500 feet (457.2 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...
, in the southern part of town.
The town is served by Interstate 93 and state routes 132
New Hampshire Route 132
New Hampshire Route 132 is a long north–south highway in Belknap and Merrimack counties in central New Hampshire. NH 132 runs from Concord north to Ashland in the Lakes Region....
and 140
New Hampshire Route 140
New Hampshire Route 140 is a long east–west state highway in New Hampshire. It runs from Tilton to Alton.The western terminus of NH 140 is in Tilton at U.S. Route 3 and New Hampshire Route 11. The eastern terminus is in Alton at NH 11 and New Hampshire Route 28A . In Alton, the road is named the...
.
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 4,548 people, 1,706 households, and 1,211 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 158.0 people per square mile (61.0/km²). There were 1,782 housing units at an average density of 61.9 per square mile (23.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.18% White, 0.13% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.15% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.
There were 1,706 households out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% 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, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $44,333, and the median income for a family was $48,787. Males had a median income of $33,051 versus $25,000 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 $18,466. About 0.9% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.4% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
Notable inhabitants
- Jillian BeyorJillian BeyorJillian Beyor is an American model. She was named Playboys 2008 Model of the Year and was one of ten finalists for Playboys 2009 Model of the Year.-Early life:...
, model - Joseph Libbey FolsomJoseph Libbey FolsomJoseph Libbey Folsom was a U.S. Army officer and real estate investor in the early days of California's statehood. He is the founder of what is now Folsom, California...
, army officer and real estate investor - Richard S. MolonyRichard S. MolonyRichard Sheppard Molony was a U.S. Representative from Illinois.Born in Northfield, New Hampshire, Molony studied medicine. He graduated from Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire, in 1838 and commenced the practice of his profession in Belvidere, Illinois...
, congressman - Robert Smith, congressman