Thornton, New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
Thornton is a town in Grafton County
, New Hampshire
, United States
. The population was 2,490 at the 2010 census.
, a signer of the Declaration of Independence
.
, the town has a total area of 50.8 square miles (131.6 km²), of which 50.2 square miles (130 km²) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) is water, comprising 1.19% of the town. The highest point in Thornton is 2580 feet (786.4 m) above sea level
on the western ridge of Dickey Mountain, whose 2734 feet (833.3 m) summit lies in the neighboring town of Waterville Valley
.
of 2000, there were 1,843 people, 759 households, and 507 families residing in the town. The population density
was 36.6 people per square mile (14.1/km²). There were 1,487 housing units at an average density of 29.5 per square mile (11.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.61% White, 0.27% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races
, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.
There were 759 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples
living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% 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 2.86.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $38,380, and the median income for a family was $45,172. Males had a median income of $27,750 versus $22,938 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,478. About 6.9% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.5% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
Grafton County, New Hampshire
Grafton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2010 census, the population was 89,118. Its county seat is North Haverhill, which is a village within the town of Haverhill. Until 1972, the county courthouse and other offices were located in downtown Woodsville, a...
, 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 2,490 at the 2010 census.
History
Thornton was incorporated in 1763, and named for Doctor Matthew ThorntonMatthew Thornton
Matthew Thornton , was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Hampshire.- Background and Early Life :He was born in Ireland, the son of James Thornton and Elizabeth Malone...
, a signer of the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of independence
A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state...
.
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 50.8 square miles (131.6 km²), of which 50.2 square miles (130 km²) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) is water, comprising 1.19% of the town. The highest point in Thornton is 2580 feet (786.4 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...
on the western ridge of Dickey Mountain, whose 2734 feet (833.3 m) summit lies in the neighboring town of Waterville Valley
Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
Waterville Valley is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 247 at the 2010 census.Waterville Valley attracts many visitors in the winter months with alpine skiing at Waterville Valley Resort and many miles of trails for cross-country skiing. During the summer,...
.
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 1,843 people, 759 households, and 507 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 36.6 people per square mile (14.1/km²). There were 1,487 housing units at an average density of 29.5 per square mile (11.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.61% White, 0.27% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.33% 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 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.
There were 759 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% 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, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% 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 2.86.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $38,380, and the median income for a family was $45,172. Males had a median income of $27,750 versus $22,938 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 $18,478. About 6.9% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.5% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.