According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 992 square miles (2,570 km2), of which 931 square miles (2,410 km2) is land and 61 square miles (160 km2) (6.2%) is water.[5] It is the third-largest county in New Hampshire by total area. Northern Carroll County is known for being mountainous. Several ski areas, includingCranmore Mountain,Attitash,King Pine, andBlack Mountain, are located here. Asalient along the northwestern margin of the county runs throughCrawford Notch; the northern portion of the salient is withinCrawford Notch State Park.
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 50,107. The median age was 54.9 years. 15.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 30.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.9 males age 18 and over.[11]
10.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 89.5% lived in rural areas.[13]
There were 22,667 households in the county, of which 19.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]
There were 39,670 housing units, of which 42.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 81.9% were owner-occupied and 18.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.7%.[11]
Carroll County, New Hampshire – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the2010 United States census, there were 47,818 people, 21,052 households, and 13,569 families living in the county.[17] The population density was 51.4 inhabitants per square mile (19.8/km2). There were 39,813 housing units at an average density of 42.8 per square mile (16.5/km2).[18] The racial makeup of the county was 97.5% white, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population.[17] In terms of ancestry,[19]
The largest ancestry group in Carroll County are people ofEnglish ancestry, who make up 29.3% of people in the county. The second largest ancestry group in the county are people ofIrish ancestry who make up 24.7%. The third largest group is people ofFrench ancestry who make up 13.8% of people in the county.[20]
Of the 21,052 households, 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.5% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.72. The median age was 48.3 years.[17]
The median income for a household in the county was $49,897 and the median income for a family was $60,086. Males had a median income of $41,634 versus $32,402 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,411. About 6.1% of families and 9.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.[21]
Population density of Carroll County by census block (2020)[22]
There were 18,351 households, out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% weremarried couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.60% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 27.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,990, and the median income for a family was $46,922. Males had a median income of $31,811 versus $23,922 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $21,931. About 5.50% of families and 7.90% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 10.00% of those under age 18 and 6.70% of those age 65 or over.
The county is historically Republican and was the only county in all ofNew England to vote forBarry Goldwater in 1964. In 2008Barack Obama received 52.39% of the county's vote,[24] making him the first Democratic presidential nominee to win the county since 1912 and the first Democratic presidential nominee to win an absolute majority in the county since 1884. Joe Biden later repeated this feat in 2020. However, despite the recent Democratic trend, the county has not voted more Democratic than the nation since 1888 in terms of two-party vote.
The county is politically divided between the more conservative southern half, home to several seasonal communities along the north shore ofLake Winnipesaukee includingMoultonborough,Tuftonboro, andWolfeboro, and the more liberal northern half, with several ski towns and resort towns such asBartlett andConway. In both the 2012 Presidential and gubernatorial elections in New Hampshire, Democratic candidates easily won the northern half of the county, and Republican candidates easily won the southern half of the county.[25]
Carroll County is one of only thirteen counties to have voted for Obama in 2008, Romney in 2012, Trump in 2016, and Biden in 2020.[a]
United States presidential election results for Carroll County, New Hampshire[26]
The executive power of Carroll County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county.
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.[27]
The legislative branch of Carroll County is made up of all of the members of theNew Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. In total, as of January 2021 there are 15 members from 8 different districts.
