HAMPTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE

'Hampton' is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 14,937 at the 2000 census. Located beside the Atlantic Ocean, Hampton is home to ''Hampton Beach State Park'' at Hampton Beach, a summer tourist destination.

Contents

History

Notable Inhabitants

Geography

Demographics

Sites of Interest

References

External links

History

First called the ''Plantation of Winnacunnet'', Hampton was one of four original New Hampshire townships chartered by the General Court of Massachusetts, which then held authority over the colony. ''Winnacunnet'' is an Algonquian Abenaki word meaning "pleasant pines." The town was settled in 1638 by a group of parishioners led by Reverend Stephen Bachiler, who had formerly preached at the settlement's namesake: Hampton, England. Incorporated in 1639, the township once included Seabrook, Kensington, Danville, Kingston, East Kingston, Sandown, North Hampton and Hampton Falls.
Construction of the railroad in the 1850s, as well as the Exeter and Hampton Trolley line, made Hampton's oceanfront a popular resort. Hampton Beach remains a tourist destination, offering shops, restaurants, beaches, and summer seasonal housing.

Notable Inhabitants

★ Rev. Stephen Bachiler, town founder

★ Eunice "Goody" Cole, accused witch

★ Henry Dearborn, physician & general

★ Abraham Drake, Revolutionary War officer and politician

★ Stephen Merrill, governor of New Hampshire

★ Jonathan Moulton, general

★ Tristram Shaw, United States Representative from New Hampshire

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.8 km² (14.6 mi²). 33.7 km² (13.0 mi²) of it is land and 4.0 km² (1.5 mi²) of it is water, comprising 10.63% of the town. Hampton is drained by the Hampton and Drakes rivers. The highest point in town is ''Bride Hill'' (approximately 150 feet / 46 meters above sea level), near the town of Exeter. Hampton lies fully within the Piscataqua River (Coastal) watershed. Water Use in New Hampshire: An Activities Guide for Teachers, , Debra H., Foster, U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey, 1995,

Demographics

This article describes the town as a whole. Additional demographic detail is available that describes only the more densely populated central settlement, but the area and population in that detail are also included in the aggregate numbers reported here. ''See also: Hampton (CDP), New Hampshire.''

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,937 people, 6,465 households, and 4,034 families residing in the town. The population density was 442.6/km² (1,146.0/mi²). There were 9,349 housing units at an average density of 277.0 persons/km² (717.3 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.57% White, 0.39% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,465 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 8.7% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 37.6% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the town the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $54,419, and the median income for a family was $66,000. Males had a median income of $46,727 versus $31,695 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,878. 5.9% of the population and 4.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.5% are under the age of 18 and 7.1% are 65 or older.

Sites of Interest

★ Hampton Beach

★ James House (1723)

★ Tuck Museum

References

External links

★ Hampton, NH ''Official Website''

★ Hampton Beach State Park

★ Hampton Historical Society

★ Lane Memorial Library, Hampton's public library (with town historical information)

★ New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile

★ Hampton Beach, New Hampshire Photographs