Campton, New Hampshire | |
|---|---|
Town | |
NH 175 in Campton Upper Village | |
Location inGrafton County,New Hampshire | |
| Coordinates:43°51′53″N71°38′12″W / 43.86472°N 71.63667°W /43.86472; -71.63667 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Grafton |
| Incorporated | 1767 |
| Villages |
|
| Government | |
| • Board of Selectmen |
|
| • Town Administrator | Kate O'Connor |
| Area | |
• Total | 52.5 sq mi (136.1 km2) |
| • Land | 51.9 sq mi (134.3 km2) |
| • Water | 0.69 sq mi (1.8 km2) 1.33% |
| Elevation | 676 ft (206 m) |
| Population (2020)[2] | |
• Total | 3,343 |
| • Density | 64/sq mi (24.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP code | 03223 |
| Area code | 603 |
| FIPS code | 33-08660 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0873556 |
| Website | www |
Campton is atown inGrafton County,New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,343 at the2020 census.[2] Campton, which includes the villages of Blair, Campton Hollow, Lower Campton and West Campton, is home to Blair State Forest and Livermore Falls State Forest. It is located in thefoothills of theWhite Mountains, and parts of theWhite Mountain National Forest are in the northeast and northwest.
Both Campton and adjacentRumney were granted by GovernorBenning Wentworth in 1761 to Jabez Spencer ofEast Haddam, Connecticut, then settled about 1765. But Captain Spencer died before terms of the charter, which required settlement by 50 families, each farming 5 acres (20,000 m2) for every 50 received, were fulfilled. Two families, named Fox and Taylor, first settled here in 1765.[3] In 1767, GovernorJohn Wentworth issued the heirs and others a new grant. Campton got its name when the first proprietors built acamp here tosurvey the two towns.[4]
Although the surface is mountainous and ledgy, farmers found good soil forcultivation in the intervales along the rivers. By 1859, when the population was 1,439, industries included onesawmill, onegristmill, onetannery and acarriage shop.[4] The town has threecovered bridges, includingBlair Bridge, which is 292 feet (89 m), 10 inches long, making it the second longest of those entirely within the state.[5]

According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 52.5 square miles (136.1 km2), of which 51.9 square miles (134.3 km2) are land and 0.69 square miles (1.8 km2) are water, comprising 1.33% of the town.[1] The highest point in Campton is Mount Weetamoo, at 2,548 feet (777 m) abovesea level. The town is drained by thePemigewasset River and its tributaries theMad River,Beebe River, West Branch Brook, and Bog Brook. Campton lies fully within theMerrimack Riverwatershed.[6]
The town is crossed byInterstate 93,U.S. Route 3,New Hampshire Route 49 andNew Hampshire Route 175. Starting with the 2012 election, Campton was redistricted from NH's 2nd Congressional District to New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District; it was the only town in Grafton County to be redistricted.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 395 | — | |
| 1800 | 635 | 60.8% | |
| 1810 | 873 | 37.5% | |
| 1820 | 1,047 | 19.9% | |
| 1830 | 1,313 | 25.4% | |
| 1840 | 1,513 | 15.2% | |
| 1850 | 1,439 | −4.9% | |
| 1860 | 1,320 | −8.3% | |
| 1870 | 1,226 | −7.1% | |
| 1880 | 1,163 | −5.1% | |
| 1890 | 982 | −15.6% | |
| 1900 | 999 | 1.7% | |
| 1910 | 845 | −15.4% | |
| 1920 | 1,028 | 21.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,184 | 15.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,130 | −4.6% | |
| 1950 | 1,149 | 1.7% | |
| 1960 | 1,058 | −7.9% | |
| 1970 | 1,171 | 10.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,694 | 44.7% | |
| 1990 | 2,377 | 40.3% | |
| 2000 | 2,719 | 14.4% | |
| 2010 | 3,333 | 22.6% | |
| 2020 | 3,343 | 0.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[2][7] | |||
As of thecensus[8] of 2000, there were 2,719 people, 1,128 households, and 759 families residing in the town. The population density was 52.4 inhabitants per square mile (20.2/km2). There were 1,759 housing units at an average density of 33.9 per square mile (13.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.01%White, 0.04%African American, 0.04%Native American, 0.70%Asian, 0.15%Pacific Islander, and 1.07% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.40% of the population.
There were 1,128 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% weremarried couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $39,213, and the median income for a family was $46,492. Males had a median income of $30,640 versus $24,688 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $20,189. About 5.8% of families and 8.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.