Pittsfield, New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
Pittsfield is a town in Merrimack County
, New Hampshire
, USA. The population was 4,106 at the 2010 census.
The central village in town, where 1,576 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Pittsfield census-designated place
(CDP), and is located on the Suncook River
near the junction of New Hampshire routes 28
and 107
.
of Chichester
. Like Pittsburg
in the north, Pittsfield was named for William Pitt
, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
, and a great friend of the Colonies prior to the American Revolution
. The town was settled in 1768 by several families originally from Hampton
. Founder John Cram built grist and sawmill
s here in the late 18th century. Since 1901, Globe Manufacturing has made protective clothing for firefighter
s here.
The town claimed the Guinness World Record in July, 2001, as the place where the most number of people wore Groucho Marx
glasses at the same time (522). Before Pittsfield's attempt, no other town had tried to set the record.
, the town has a total area of 24.1 square miles (62.4 km²), of which 23.9 sq mi (61.9 km²) is land and 0.3 sq mi (0.776996433 km²) is water, comprising 1.13% of the town. Pittsfield is drained by the Suncook River
. The highest point in town is the summit of Catamount Mountain, at 1331 feet (405.7 m) above sea level
, southeast of the town center.
The town center, or census-designated place
, has a total area of 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 3,931 people, 1,498 households, and 1,056 families residing in the town. The population density
was 166.8 people per square mile (64.4/km²). There were 1,569 housing units at an average density of 25.7 persons/km² (66.6 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 97.38% White, 0.38% African American
, 0.13% Native American, 0.10% Asia
n, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 1.76% from two or more races. 1.14% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 1,498 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples
living together, 13.4% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 29.5% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $38,833, and the median income for a family was $44,233. Males had a median income of $31,726 versus $24,750 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $21,082. 8.8% of the population and 6.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 11.6% are under the age of 18 and 6.6% are 65 or older.
of 2000, there were 1,669 people, 671 households, and 434 families residing in the central village, or census-designated place
. The population density
was 1,029.3 people per square mile (397.8/km²). There were 699 housing units at an average density of 166.6 persons/km² (431.1 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the district was 97.18% White, 0.24% African American
, 0.24% Native American, 0.06% Asia
n, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. 1.68% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 671 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples
living together, 15.4% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 35.3% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the village the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.
The median income for a household in the district was $33,194, and the median income for a family was $43,690. Males had a median income of $28,988 versus $22,250 for females. The per capita income is $17,845. 11.7% of the population and 10.6% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 13.7% are under the age of 18 and 10.8% are 65 or older.
(1911–2000), who spent time with his maternal family members (specifically the family of the Reverend Walter Scott, his grandfather) in Pittsfield during his youth, wrote a fantasy for cello and piano entitled Legend of the Sunkook [sic] Valley (Op. 1, no. 4).
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...
, USA. The population was 4,106 at the 2010 census.
The central village in town, where 1,576 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Pittsfield 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 on the Suncook River
Suncook River
The Suncook River is a river located in central New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Merrimack River, which flows to the Gulf of Maine....
near the junction of New Hampshire routes 28
New Hampshire Route 28
New Hampshire Route 28 is an north–south state highway in southeastern New Hampshire. It connects the town of Ossipee in east-central New Hampshire with Salem on the Massachusetts border....
and 107
New Hampshire Route 107
New Hampshire Route 107 is a long north–south state highway in New Hampshire. It connects Laconia in the Lakes Region with Seabrook on the Atlantic coast....
.
History
For many years prior to its 1782 incorporation, this town was an unnamed parishParish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of Chichester
Chichester, New Hampshire
Chichester is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,523 at the 2010 census.-History:Chichester was granted in 1727, named for Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Earl of Chichester, and England's Secretary of State for the Southern...
. Like Pittsburg
Pittsburg, New Hampshire
Pittsburg is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 869 at the 2010 census. It is the northernmost town in New Hampshire and the largest town by area in the state - and in New England as well - more than twice the size of the next largest town, Lincoln. U.S...
in the north, Pittsfield was named for William Pitt
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham PC was a British Whig statesman who led Britain during the Seven Years' War...
, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
, and a great friend of the Colonies prior to the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. The town was settled in 1768 by several families originally from Hampton
Hampton, New Hampshire
Hampton is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 14,976 at the 2010 census. Located beside the Atlantic Ocean, Hampton is home to Hampton Beach, a summer tourist destination....
. Founder John Cram built grist and 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 here in the late 18th century. Since 1901, Globe Manufacturing has made protective clothing for firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
s here.
The town claimed the Guinness World Record in July, 2001, as the place where the most number of people wore Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx
Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx was an American comedian and film star famed as a master of wit. His rapid-fire delivery of innuendo-laden patter earned him many admirers. He made 13 feature films with his siblings the Marx Brothers, of whom he was the third-born...
glasses at the same time (522). Before Pittsfield's attempt, no other town had tried to set the record.
Notable inhabitants
- Ebenezer KnowltonEbenezer KnowltonEbenezer Knowlton was a U.S. Representative from Maine, Free Will Baptist minister, and co-founder of Bates College in Lewiston, Maine....
, co-founder of Bates CollegeBates CollegeBates College is a highly selective, private liberal arts college located in Lewiston, Maine, in the United States. and was most recently ranked 21st in the nation in the 2011 US News Best Liberal Arts Colleges rankings. The college was founded in 1855 by abolitionists...
, Congressman, Baptist minister, abolitionist - John SwettJohn SwettJohn Swett is considered to be the "Father of the California public school" system and the "Horace Mann of the Pacific".-Biography:...
, founder of the California public school system - Harrison R. ThyngHarrison ThyngBrigadier General Harrison Reed Thyng was a fighter pilot and an officer in the United States Air Force with the rank of general. He is notable as one of only six USAF fighter pilots to be recognized as an ace in two wars...
, United States general and World War II flying ace
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 24.1 square miles (62.4 km²), of which 23.9 sq mi (61.9 km²) is land and 0.3 sq mi (0.776996433 km²) is water, comprising 1.13% of the town. Pittsfield is drained by the Suncook River
Suncook River
The Suncook River is a river located in central New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Merrimack River, which flows to the Gulf of Maine....
. The highest point in town is the summit of Catamount Mountain, at 1331 feet (405.7 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...
, southeast of the town center.
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 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
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 3,931 people, 1,498 households, and 1,056 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 166.8 people per square mile (64.4/km²). There were 1,569 housing units at an average density of 25.7 persons/km² (66.6 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 97.38% White, 0.38% 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...
, 0.13% Native American, 0.10% 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, 0.25% from other races, and 1.76% from two or more races. 1.14% 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 1,498 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% 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, 13.4% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 29.5% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $38,833, and the median income for a family was $44,233. Males had a median income of $31,726 versus $24,750 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 $21,082. 8.8% of the population and 6.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 11.6% are under the age of 18 and 6.6% 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 1,669 people, 671 households, and 434 families residing in the central 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...
. 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 1,029.3 people per square mile (397.8/km²). There were 699 housing units at an average density of 166.6 persons/km² (431.1 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the district was 97.18% White, 0.24% 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...
, 0.24% Native American, 0.06% 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, 0.12% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. 1.68% 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 671 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% 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, 15.4% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 35.3% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the village the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.
The median income for a household in the district was $33,194, and the median income for a family was $43,690. Males had a median income of $28,988 versus $22,250 for females. The per capita income is $17,845. 11.7% of the population and 10.6% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 13.7% are under the age of 18 and 10.8% are 65 or older.
Artistic tributes
In 1934, the American composer Alan HovhanessAlan Hovhaness
Alan Hovhaness was an Armenian-American composer.His music is accessible to the lay listener and often evokes a mood of mystery or contemplation...
(1911–2000), who spent time with his maternal family members (specifically the family of the Reverend Walter Scott, his grandfather) in Pittsfield during his youth, wrote a fantasy for cello and piano entitled Legend of the Sunkook [sic] Valley (Op. 1, no. 4).