Grafton County, New Hampshire

Last updated

Grafton County
County
Grafton County Courthouse 5.JPG
Grafton County Courthouse in Haverhill
GraftonCountyNHseal.png
Seal
Map of New Hampshire highlighting Grafton County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of New Hampshire
New Hampshire in United States.svg
New Hampshire's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°53′46″N71°53′41″W / 43.896069°N 71.89463°W / 43.896069; -71.89463
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of New Hampshire.svg New Hampshire
Founded1769
Named after Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton
Seat Haverhill
Largest city Lebanon
Area
 • Total
1,749.7 sq mi (4,532 km2)
 • Land1,708.6 sq mi (4,425 km2)
 • Water41.1 sq mi (106 km2)  2.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
91,118
 • Estimate 
(2022)
91,126 Increase2.svg
 • Density53.3/sq mi (20.6/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts 1st, 2nd
Website co.grafton.nh.us

Grafton County is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2020 census, the population was 91,118. [1] Its county seat is the town of Haverhill. [2] In 1972, the county courthouse and other offices were moved from Woodsville, a larger village within the town of Haverhill, to North Haverhill.

Contents

Grafton County is part of the Claremont-Lebanon, NH–VT Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The county is the home of Dartmouth College and Plymouth State University. Progressive Farmer rated Grafton County fourth in its list of the "Best Places to Live in Rural America" in 2006, [3] citing low unemployment (despite slow economic growth), a favorable cost of living, and the presence of White Mountain National Forest, the state's only national forest.

History

Grafton was one of the five counties originally identified for New Hampshire in 1769. It was named for Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, [4] who had been a supporter of American causes in Parliament, and who was serving as British Prime Minister at the time. The county was organized at Haverhill in 1771, and originally included the entire northern frontier of New Hampshire, including several towns now in Vermont. In 1803, the northern area was removed for the formation of Coos County. The three counties to the south were Strafford, Hillsborough and Cheshire, and the eastern edge bordered the "District of Maine". In 1797, the county had 50 townships, 17 locations, and a population of 23,093. [5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,750 square miles (4,500 km2), of which 1,709 square miles (4,430 km2) are land and 41 square miles (110 km2) (2.3%) are water. [6] It is the second-largest county in New Hampshire by area.

Grafton County is heavily rural. About half of its area is in the White Mountain National Forest. Squam Lake, featured in the film On Golden Pond , and the Old Man of the Mountain landmark are here, as are Dartmouth College and the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Many of the 4,000-foot mountains of New Hampshire are within the county. The Appalachian Trail passes through parts of at least ten towns in the county.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1790 13,468—
1800 23,09371.5%
1810 28,46223.2%
1820 32,98915.9%
1830 38,68217.3%
1840 42,3119.4%
1850 42,3430.1%
1860 42,260−0.2%
1870 39,103−7.5%
1880 38,788−0.8%
1890 37,217−4.1%
1900 40,8449.7%
1910 41,6522.0%
1920 40,572−2.6%
1930 42,8165.5%
1940 44,6454.3%
1950 47,9237.3%
1960 48,8571.9%
1970 54,91412.4%
1980 65,80619.8%
1990 74,92913.9%
2000 81,7439.1%
2010 89,1189.0%
2020 91,1182.2%
2022 (est.)91,126 [7] 0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [8]
1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10]
1990-2000 [11] 2010-2018 [1]

2000 census

As of the census [12] of 2000, 81,743 people, 31,598 households, and 20,254 families resided in the county. The population density was 48 inhabitants per square mile (19 inhabitants/km2). There were 43,729 housing units at an average density of 26 units per square mile (10/km2). The county's racial makeup was 95.76% White, 1.73% Asian, 0.53% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. 1.12% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.0% were of English, 12.9% Irish, 11.1% French, 7.8% American, 7.5% German, 6.8% French Canadian and 5.5% Italian ancestry. 95.1% spoke English, 1.5% French and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 31,598 households, of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.90% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 18, 13.50% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.

The county's median household income was $41,962, and the median family income was $50,424. Males had a median income of $31,874 versus $25,286 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,227. About 5.10% of families and 8.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 89,118 people, 35,986 households, and 22,074 families in the county. [13] The population density was 52.2 inhabitants per square mile (20.2 inhabitants/km2). There were 51,120 housing units at an average density of 29.9 units per square mile (11.5 units/km2). [14] The county's racial makeup was 93.6% white, 3.0% Asian, 0.9% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population. [13] In terms of ancestry, 23.6% were English, 18.7% were Irish, 10.9% were German, 6.6% were Italian, 5.8% were Scottish, 5.8% were French Canadian, and 5.0% were American. [15]

Of the 35,986 households, 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.7% were non-families, and 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 41.2 years. [13]

The median household income was $53,075 and the median family income was $66,253. Males had a median income of $43,566 versus $33,535 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,170. About 5.1% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over. [16]

Population density of Grafton County by census block (2020) Grafton County population density.png
Population density of Grafton County by census block (2020)

Politics and government

In the 2000 United States presidential election, Al Gore narrowly carried the county over George W. Bush, taking 47.31% of the vote to Bush's 46.71%. Other candidates got a combined 5.98%. In 2004 John Kerry prevailed over Bush by a wider margin: Kerry received 55.74% of the vote, while Bush received 43.17%. In 2008, Barack Obama carried Grafton by a landslide, receiving 63.03% of the vote to John McCain's 35.45%. It was Obama's highest percentage by county in New Hampshire. [18] In 2016, Hillary Clinton won this county with 55.7%, while Donald Trump received 37.1% of the vote. It was Clinton's highest percentage by county in New Hampshire. [19] In 2024, the county was the only one in the state to vote for Nikki Haley rather than Donald Trump in the state's Republican presidential primary.

United States presidential election results for Grafton County, New Hampshire [20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 21,90939.20%32,99359.03%9931.78%
2020 19,90536.77%33,18061.29%1,0471.93%
2016 19,01037.14%28,51055.69%3,6717.17%
2012 18,20837.15%29,82660.85%9802.00%
2008 17,68735.45%31,44663.03%7571.52%
2004 20,27743.17%26,18055.74%5141.09%
2000 18,09246.71%18,32647.31%2,3155.98%
1996 13,54338.95%17,47650.26%3,75310.79%
1992 13,45037.01%15,38942.34%7,50420.65%
1988 19,03362.00%11,48437.41%1820.59%
1984 18,45167.59%8,75732.08%920.34%
1980 15,27356.25%7,28226.82%4,59616.93%
1976 14,43060.34%8,99637.62%4882.04%
1972 16,60565.58%8,38833.13%3261.29%
1968 12,88159.76%7,81336.25%8603.99%
1964 8,46140.24%12,56659.76%00.00%
1960 14,45464.89%7,82135.11%00.00%
1956 15,60974.04%5,46625.93%60.03%
1952 15,93772.24%6,12427.76%00.00%
1948 12,24863.52%6,84135.48%1921.00%
1944 10,94755.58%8,74344.39%70.04%
1940 11,47854.04%9,76145.96%00.00%
1936 11,33656.63%8,52042.57%1600.80%
1932 10,81055.94%8,34243.17%1710.88%
1928 12,56666.99%6,03532.17%1580.84%
1924 10,49364.12%5,36032.75%5113.12%
1920 9,65061.10%6,10238.63%420.27%
1916 4,79550.38%4,64448.80%780.82%
1912 3,52036.70%3,75239.12%2,31824.17%
1908 6,32362.60%3,58235.46%1961.94%
1904 6,10062.55%3,49635.85%1561.60%
1900 6,17761.71%3,61936.15%2142.14%
1896 6,19968.15%2,30625.35%5916.50%
1892 4,82849.25%4,79448.90%1821.86%
1888 5,20949.28%5,17048.91%1911.81%
1884 5,17150.30%4,91747.83%1931.88%
1880 4,96447.71%5,30050.94%1401.35%
1876 4,76348.33%5,09251.66%10.01%

County Commission

The executive power of Grafton County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county.

DistrictCommissionerHometownParty
1Wendy Piper Enfield Republican
2Martha Stroup McLeod Franconia Democratic
3Omer Ahern Jr. Wentworth Republican

In addition to the County Commission, there are also five directly elected officials: they include County Attorney, Register of Deeds, County Sheriff, Register of Probate, and County Treasurer.

OfficeName
County AttorneyMartha Ann Hornick (D)
Register of DeedsKelley Monahan (R) [21]
County SheriffJeff Stiegler (D)
Register of ProbateCharles Townsend (D)
County TreasurerKaren Liot Hill (D)

[22]

General court

The general court delegation of Grafton County is made up of all of the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. There are 26 members from 18 different districts. After the 2022 elections, the party distribution of representatives was as follows.

AffiliationMembersVoting share
Democratic Party 1869.2%
Republican Party 830.8%
Total27100%

Media

(Compiled from Radiostationworld.com)

Communities

City

Towns

Township

Census-designated places

Villages

Education

School districts include:

Unified (K-12): [23]

Secondary: [23]

Elementary: [23]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Progressive Farmer's top counties for country living - Feb. 2, 2006". money.cnn.com. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  4. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p.  140.
  5. ↑ Morse, Jedidiah: "The American Gazetteer", Thomas & Andrews, 1810
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022" . Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  12. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  15. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  16. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  17. ↑ TIGER/Line Shapefile, 2020, State, New Hampshire, 2020 Census Block, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division, Spatial Data Collection and Products Branch (Point of Contact), retrieved May 22, 2025
  18. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". www.uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Website Maintenance | Department of Information Technology".
  20. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Two Grafton County elected officials leave Democratic Party citing concerns about class". Valley News. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  22. ↑ "General Election Winners - 11/03/2020" (PDF). New Hampshire Secretary of State's Office. November 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  23. 1 2 3 Geography Division (January 15, 2021). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Grafton County, NH (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved April 28, 2024. - Text list

43°56′N71°50′W / 43.93°N 71.84°W / 43.93; -71.84

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