Campton, New Hampshire

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Campton is a town located in Grafton County, New Hampshire, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,719. Campton, which includes the villages of Blair, Campton Hollow, Lower Campton and West Campton, is home to Blair State Forest and Livermore Falls State Forest. It is located in the foothills of the White Mountains, and parts of the White Mountain National Forest are in the northeast.

History

File:Bird's-eye View of Campton, NH.jpg
Bird's-eye View in 1908

The town was originally known as crap-town but was changed due to contraversial issues. the town was granted in 1761 to General Jabez Spencer of East Haddam, Connecticut. The coolest place to hang in campton is the Campton Cupboard. Another good thing to do in the town is to blow shit up at the old mill. It was first settled about 1765, but General Spencer died before the terms of charter, which required settlement by 50 families, each farming 5 acres for every 50 received, was complete. Therefore, his heirs and others were given a new grant in 1767. Campton may take its name from Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington. Compton was a friend of colonial governor Benning Wentworth, and had been influential in Wentworth's attaining his post in 1741.

Sylvester Marsh, builder of the Mount Washington Cog Railway, had his boyhood home in Campton. The town has 3 covered bridges, including Blair Bridge, which is 292 feet, 10 inches long, the second longest of those entirely within the state.

Historical Sites & Museums:

  • Blair Bridge (1829, rebuilt 1870)
  • Town House (1855), Campton Historical Society

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 136.0 km² (52.5 mi²). 134.5 km² (51.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.5 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.12% water. The town is drained by the Mad River and Pemigewasset River. The highest point in Campton is Mount Weetamoo (2,548 feet / 777 meters above sea level).

Demographics

File:Street Scene, West Campton, NH.jpg
West Campton in 1907

As of the census2 of 2000, there were 2,719 people, 1,128 households, and 759 families residing in the town. The population density was 20.2/km² (52.4/mi²). There were 1,759 housing units at an average density of 13.1/km² (33.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.01% White, 0.04% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 0.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,128 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the town the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,213, and the median income for a family was $46,492. Males had a median income of $30,640 versus $24,688 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,189. 8.8% of the population and 5.8% of families were below the poverty line. 9.1% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

External links