Dorchester, New Hampshire | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Dorchester Community Church | |
 Seal | |
 Location inGrafton County,New Hampshire | |
| Coordinates:43°45′24″N71°56′55″W / 43.75667°N 71.94861°W /43.75667; -71.94861 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Grafton |
| Incorporated | 1772 |
| Villages | Dorchester Bucks Corner Cheever North Dorchester |
| Government | |
| • Select Board |
|
| Area | |
• Total | 45.2 sq mi (117.1 km2) |
| • Land | 44.6 sq mi (115.5 km2) |
| • Water | 0.62 sq mi (1.6 km2) 1.34% |
| Elevation | 1,391 ft (424 m) |
| Population (2020)[2] | |
• Total | 339 |
| • Density | 7.5/sq mi (2.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP Code | 03266 |
| Area code | 603 |
| FIPS code | 33-18740 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0873579 |
| Website | townofdorchester |
Dorchester is a town inGrafton County,New Hampshire, United States. The population was 339 at the2020 census.[2]
Originally granted by GovernorBenning Wentworth in 1761, Dorchester was named forDorchester inDorset, England. When the recipients failed to take up the grant, it was regranted in 1766, but also without success. Finally, it was regranted by GovernorJohn Wentworth to 72 people on May 1, 1772, and settlement began soon thereafter. The first settlers were Benjamin Rice and Stephen Murch fromHanover, but originally fromConnecticut.[3]
When the first census of Dorchester was taken in 1790, there were 175 residents. By 1859, when the population reached 711, there were elevensawmills, in addition to severalclapboard andshingle mills.Charcoal was also manufactured here.[4]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.2 square miles (117.1 km2), of which 44.6 square miles (115.5 km2) are land and 0.62 square miles (1.6 km2) are water, comprising 1.34% of the town.[1] It is drained by the north-flowingSouth Branch Baker River and the south-flowingMascoma River and its tributary, theIndian River. Cummins Pond and Reservoir Pond are in the west. The northeastern half of town, which drains to the South Branch of the Baker, is part of theMerrimack River watershed, while the southwestern half is part of theConnecticut River watershed.[5] The highest point in Dorchester is on its western boundary, where the elevation reaches 3,190 feet (970 m) abovesea level, just east of the summit ofSmarts Mountain.
The town is crossed byNew Hampshire Route 118.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 175 | — | |
| 1800 | 349 | 99.4% | |
| 1810 | 537 | 53.9% | |
| 1820 | 584 | 8.8% | |
| 1830 | 702 | 20.2% | |
| 1840 | 769 | 9.5% | |
| 1850 | 711 | −7.5% | |
| 1860 | 691 | −2.8% | |
| 1870 | 689 | −0.3% | |
| 1880 | 585 | −15.1% | |
| 1890 | 370 | −36.8% | |
| 1900 | 308 | −16.8% | |
| 1910 | 241 | −21.8% | |
| 1920 | 228 | −5.4% | |
| 1930 | 115 | −49.6% | |
| 1940 | 144 | 25.2% | |
| 1950 | 133 | −7.6% | |
| 1960 | 91 | −31.6% | |
| 1970 | 141 | 54.9% | |
| 1980 | 244 | 73.0% | |
| 1990 | 392 | 60.7% | |
| 2000 | 353 | −9.9% | |
| 2010 | 355 | 0.6% | |
| 2020 | 339 | −4.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[2][6] | |||
At the2000 census there were 353 people, 132 households, and 99 families in the town. The population density was 7.9 people per square mile (3.0/km2). There were 236 housing units at an average density of 5.3 per square mile (2.0/km2). Theracial makeup of the town was 97.17% White, 0.28% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.85% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57%.[7]
Of the 132 households 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 19.7% of households were one person and 6.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.02.
The age distribution was 27.5% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median household income was $40,833 and the median family income was $42,292. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $24,375 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,940. About 8.6% of families and 11.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)Places adjacent to Dorchester, New Hampshire | |
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Municipalities and communities ofGrafton County, New Hampshire,United States | ||
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| City |  | |
| Towns | ||
| Township | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Other villages | ||
