Hopkinton, New Hampshire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hopkinton, New Hampshire | |||
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| Location in Merrimack County, New Hampshire | |||
| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | New Hampshire | ||
| County | Merrimack County | ||
| Incorporated | 1765 | ||
| Board of Selectmen | Louise Carr, Chairman
Clarke Kidder
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| Area | |||
| - City | 116.8 km² (45.1 sq mi) | ||
| - Land | 112.1 km² (43.3 sq mi) | ||
| - Water | 4.7 km² (1.8 sq mi) 3.99% | ||
| Elevation | 154 m (505 ft) | ||
| Population | |||
| - City (2000) | 5,399 | ||
| - Density | 48.2/km² (124.7/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) | ||
| Website: www.hopkinton-nh.gov | |||
Hopkinton is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 5,399 at the 2000 census. It consists of three villages: Hopkinton, West Hopkinton, and Contoocook. Hopkinton is home to the New Hampshire Highland Games and the Hopkinton State Fair.
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[edit] History
The town was granted by Colonial Governor Jonathan Belcher in 1735 as "Number 5" to settlers from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, who renamed it "New Hopkinton." First settled in 1736, colonists were required to build homes, fence in their acreage, plant it with English grass, and provide a home for a minister, all within seven years. The community would be incorporated in 1765 by Governor Benning Wentworth. Built in 1789, the Congregational Church has a Revere bell. The legislature met in Hopkinton occasionally between 1798 and 1807. In 1808, the town competed for the coveted position of state capitol, but was defeated by nearby Concord.
A substantial portion of the town in the north was named "Contoocook Village" for a tribe of the Pennacook Indians who once lived here. Due to its position along the Contoocook River, it became a center for water-powered industry, particularly lumber and textiles. The covered railroad bridge located in Contoocook Village is a remnant of the Boston & Maine Railroad, and possibly the oldest covered bridge of its kind.
Hopkinton is home to the annual New Hampshire Highland Games, a Scottish heritage festival held at the fairgrounds in Contoocook Village at the end of September. New Hampshire has registered an official tartan with the proper authorities in Scotland; this tartan is worn in kilt form by the State Police while they serve in Hopkinton during the games. The town is also home to the Hopkinton State Fair, an event which attracts thousands of visitors each year during the Labor Day weekend.
[edit] Notable Inhabitants
- John Lynch, Governor of New Hampshire
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 116.8 km² (45.1 mi²). 112.1 km² (43.3 mi²) of it is land and 4.7 km² (1.8 mi²) of it is water, comprising 3.99% of the town. Hopkinton is drained by the Contoocook and Warner rivers. The highest point in town is Shaker Hill, on the border with Henniker, with an elevation of 923 feet (281 meters) above sea level.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 5,399 people, 2,084 households, and 1,544 families residing in the town. The population density was 48.2/km² (124.7/mi²). There were 2,210 housing units at an average density of 19.7/km² (51.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.46% White, 0.13% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.
There were 2,084 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $59,583, and the median income for a family was $69,737. Males had a median income of $50,107 versus $28,974 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,753. About 0.7% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Sites of Interest
[edit] External links
- Hopkinton, NH Official Website
- Hopkinton Town Library
- Hopkinton State Fair
- New Hampshire Highland Games
- New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
