Belknap County, New Hampshire

Belknap County (/ˈbɛlnæp/) is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2010 census, the population was 60,088.[1] The county seat is Laconia.[2] It is located in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, slightly southeast of the state's geographic center. Belknap County comprises the Laconia, NH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn constitutes a portion of the Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT Combined Statistical Area.

Belknap County
U.S. county
Laconia District Court on Academy Square in Laconia
Location within the U.S. state of New Hampshire
New Hampshire's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°30′55″N 71°26′10″W
Country United States
State New Hampshire
Founded1840
Named forJeremy Belknap
SeatLaconia
Largest cityLaconia
Area
 • Total470.0 sq mi (1,217 km2)
 • Land401.8 sq mi (1,041 km2)
 • Water68.2 sq mi (177 km2)  14.5%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total60,088
 • Estimate 
(2019)
61,303
 • Density151.9/sq mi (58.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd
Websitewww.belknapcounty.org

History

Belknap County was organized in 1840 by removing parts of northeastern Merrimack County and northwestern Strafford County.[3] It is named for Dr. Jeremy Belknap, a renowned preacher, historian, and author of The History of New Hampshire. The first County Court was held within the town of Meredith, at a village known as Meredith Bridge on the Winnipesaukee River. In 1855, the town of Laconia was separated from Meredith.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 469 square miles (1,210 km2), of which 400 square miles (1,000 km2) are land and 68 square miles (180 km2) (15%) are water.[4] It is the second-smallest county in New Hampshire by area. Most of the county's water area is part of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
185017,721—
186018,5494.7%
187017,681−4.7%
188017,9481.5%
189020,32113.2%
190019,526−3.9%
191021,3099.1%
192021,178−0.6%
193022,6236.8%
194024,3287.5%
195026,6329.5%
196028,9128.6%
197032,36712.0%
198042,88432.5%
199049,21614.8%
200056,32514.4%
201060,0886.7%
2019 (est.)61,303[5]2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[1]

2000 census

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 56,325 people, 22,459 households, and 15,496 families living in the county. The population density was 140 people per square mile (54/km2). There were 32,121 housing units at an average density of 80 per square mile (31/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.61% White, 0.29% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 0.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.2% were of English, 13.6% Irish, 13.3% French, 12.2% French Canadian, 8.5% American, 6.9% Italian and 5.7% German ancestry. 95.0% spoke English, 2.7% French and 1.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 22,459 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 3% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,605, and the median income for a family was $50,510. Males had a median income of $34,741 versus $25,445 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,758. About 4.50% of families and 6.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.60% of those under age 18 and 4.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 60,088 people, 24,766 households, and 16,609 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 150.1 inhabitants per square mile (58.0/km2). There were 37,386 housing units at an average density of 93.4 per square mile (36.1/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 96.6% white, 1.2% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 20.8% were English, 20.7% were Irish, 8.5% were Italian, 8.0% were German, 7.1% were French Canadian, and 6.6% were American.[13]

Of the 24,766 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.9% were non-families, and 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 44.7 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $54,929 and the median income for a family was $64,875. Males had a median income of $46,378 versus $34,690 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,517. About 5.2% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Politics and government

Belknap County is arguably the most Republican county in New Hampshire: the Republican Party is the majority political party in the county, holding 16 of 18 seats in the General Court as of January 2019. Since 1888, only three Democrats have won Belknap County: Woodrow Wilson in 1912 when the Republican Party was mortally divided between William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt; 1964, when Lyndon B. Johnson swept the Northeast due to Republican Barry Goldwater's conservative views regarding the Civil Rights Movement; and 2008, when Barack Obama swept every county in New England bar one.[15]

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 54.3% 20,899 43.9% 16,894 1.8% 686
2016 55.1% 19,315 38.6% 13,517 6.3% 2,213
2012 51.9% 17,571 46.9% 15,890 1.3% 426
2008 48.8% 16,402 50.0% 16,796 1.2% 416
2004 55.5% 17,920 43.6% 14,080 0.9% 298
2000 55.2% 14,799 40.0% 10,719 4.8% 1,277
1996 45.2% 10,685 43.8% 10,345 11.0% 2,586
1992 42.2% 10,578 33.5% 8,405 24.3% 6,107
1988 67.9% 14,454 31.0% 6,603 1.1% 223
1984 74.6% 14,200 24.9% 4,743 0.4% 84
1980 65.1% 12,077 23.5% 4,365 11.3% 2,104
1976 60.8% 9,876 37.8% 6,143 1.4% 230
1972 70.7% 11,536 28.3% 4,610 1.0% 166
1968 61.4% 8,642 35.1% 4,942 3.5% 487
1964 42.4% 5,908 57.6% 8,024
1960 61.9% 9,156 38.1% 5,630
1956 76.0% 9,902 24.0% 3,131 0.0% 5
1952 71.8% 9,567 28.2% 3,755
1948 64.8% 7,152 34.6% 3,822 0.6% 65
1944 53.7% 6,188 46.2% 5,325 0.0% 2
1940 52.0% 6,115 48.0% 5,653
1936 54.0% 6,219 44.7% 5,150 1.3% 153
1932 55.0% 6,048 44.7% 4,911 0.3% 29
1928 64.6% 6,762 35.3% 3,689 0.1% 11
1924 63.8% 5,996 34.2% 3,217 2.0% 186
1920 61.7% 5,628 38.0% 3,464 0.3% 23
1916 51.6% 2,579 46.2% 2,310 2.2% 112
1912 36.8% 1,741 39.4% 1,862 23.8% 1,125
1908 61.1% 2,916 35.4% 1,692 3.5% 167
1904 60.3% 2,867 37.0% 1,761 2.7% 126
1900 61.3% 3,099 36.0% 1,819 2.7% 136
1896 72.7% 3,465 20.5% 978 6.8% 325
1892 50.6% 2,663 46.9% 2,472 2.5% 132
1888 50.4% 2,687 47.5% 2,537 2.1% 113
1884 48.6% 2,368 48.8% 2,381 2.6% 126
1880 47.8% 2,350 50.5% 2,483 1.7% 82
1876 46.7% 2,028 53.2% 2,308 0.1% 6

County Commission

The executive power of Belknap County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county.[17]

Districts Name Hometown Party
District 1 David DeVoy II Sanbornton, NH Republican
District 2 Glen Waring (Vice Chairman) Gilmanton, NH Republican
District 3 Hunter Taylor (Clerk) Alton, NH Democrat

In addition to the County Commission, there are five directly-elected officials: they include County Attorney, Register of Deeds, County Sheriff, Register of Probate, and County Treasurer.[18]

Office Name
County Attorney Andrew Livernois (R)
Register of Deeds Judith McGrath (R)
County Sheriff Michael Moyer (R)
Register of Probate Alan Glassman (R)
County Treasurer Michael Muzzey (R)

Legislative branch

The legislative branch of Belknap County is made up of all of the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. In total, as of January 2019 there were 18 members from nine different districts.

Affiliation Members Voting share
Democratic Party 2 11.1%
Republican Party 16 88.9%
Total 18 100%

Communities

There are ten towns and one city in Belknap County.

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Villages

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "COUNTY LIST - New Hampshire Genealogy and History AT SEARCHROOTS". searchroots.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on 2014-12-27. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  12. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  13. "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 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  14. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  15. David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  17. http://sos.nh.gov/2016CountyGen.aspx?id=8589963664
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2018-08-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

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