Dunbarton, New Hampshire

Dunbarton is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,005 at the 2020 census,[2] up from 2,758 at the 2010 census.[3]

Dunbarton, New Hampshire
First Congregational Church
First Congregational Church
Location in Merrimack County and the state of New Hampshire
Location in Merrimack County and the state of New Hampshire
Coordinates: 43°06′09″N 71°36′59″W / 43.10250°N 71.61639°W / 43.10250; -71.61639
CountryUnited States
StateNew Hampshire
CountyMerrimack
Incorporated1765
Villages
  • Dunbarton Center
  • Pages Corner
Government
 • Board of Selectmen
  • Michael Kaminski, Chair
  • David Nault
  • Justin Nault
 • Town AdministratorLine Comeau
Area
 • Total31.3 sq mi (81.1 km2)
 • Land30.8 sq mi (79.9 km2)
 • Water0.5 sq mi (1.2 km2)  1.48%
Elevation
825 ft (251 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total3,005
 • Density97/sq mi (37.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
03046
Area code603
FIPS code33-19460
GNIS feature ID0873583
Websitewww.dunbartonnh.org

History edit

Originally granted as "Gorham's-town" in 1735, and re-granted as "Starkstown" in 1748, the town was incorporated in 1765 as Dunbarton. The name came from Dunbartonshire in Scotland, hometown to Archibald Stark, a prominent settler.[4]

Geography edit

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 31.3 square miles (81.1 km2), of which 30.8 square miles (79.9 km2) are land and 0.46 square miles (1.2 km2) are water, comprising 1.48% of the town.[1] The town is drained to the northeast by tributaries of the Turkey River, to the southeast by Black Brook and its tributaries, and to the west by tributaries of the Piscataquog River. The entire town is within the Merrimack River watershed.[5] The highest point in Dunbarton is 925 feet (282 m) above sea level near NH Route 13 north of Dunbarton Center.

The town claims to be the location of the geographic center of New England, based on a Boston University calculation from 2008.[6]

Adjacent municipalities edit

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1790917
18001,22233.3%
18101,2562.8%
18201,45015.4%
18301,067−26.4%
1840950−11.0%
1850915−3.7%
1860901−1.5%
1870778−13.7%
1880708−9.0%
1890524−26.0%
19005515.2%
1910513−6.9%
1920405−21.1%
193057241.2%
1940495−13.5%
19505337.7%
196063218.6%
197082530.5%
19801,17442.3%
19901,75949.8%
20002,22626.5%
20102,75823.9%
20203,0059.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[2][7]

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 2,226 people, 814 households, and 648 families residing in the town. The population density was 72.1 inhabitants per square mile (27.8/km2). There were 858 housing units at an average density of 27.8 per square mile (10.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.43% White, 0.09% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.31% of the population.

There were 814 households, out of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.8% were married couples living together, 3.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% were non-families. 14.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $65,081, and the median income for a family was $67,448. Males had a median income of $46,042 versus $31,641 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,892. About 2.3% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files – New Hampshire". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Dunbarton town, Merrimack County, New Hampshire: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  3. ^ United States Census Bureau, U.S. Census website, 2010 Census figures. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 110.
  5. ^ Foster, Debra H.; Batorfalvy, Tatianna N.; Medalie, Laura (1995). Water Use in New Hampshire: An Activities Guide for Teachers. U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey.
  6. ^ "Lots of Heart but Only One Center". Town of Dunbarton official website. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  7. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

External links edit