Grafton County, New Hampshire | |
|---|---|
 Grafton County Courthouse in Haverhill | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofNew Hampshire | |
| Coordinates:43°53′46″N71°53′41″W / 43.896069°N 71.89463°W /43.896069; -71.89463 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Hampshire |
| Founded | 1769 |
| Named after | Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton |
| Seat | Haverhill |
| Largest city | Lebanon |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,749.7 sq mi (4,532 km2) |
| • Land | 1,708.6 sq mi (4,425 km2) |
| • Water | 41.1 sq mi (106 km2) 2.3% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 91,118 |
• Estimate (2024) | 93,045 |
| • Density | 53.3/sq mi (20.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional districts | 1st,2nd |
| Website | co.grafton.nh.us |
Grafton County is acounty in theU.S. state ofNew Hampshire. As of the2020 census, the population was 91,118.[1] Itscounty seat is the town ofHaverhill.[2] In 1972, the county courthouse and other offices were moved fromWoodsville, a larger village within the town of Haverhill, toNorth Haverhill.
Grafton County is part of theClaremont-Lebanon, NH–VTMicropolitan Statistical Area.
The county is the home ofDartmouth College andPlymouth State University.Progressive Farmer rated Grafton County fourth in its list of the "Best Places to Live in Rural America" in 2006,[3] citing low unemployment (despite slow economic growth), a favorable cost of living, and the presence ofWhite Mountain National Forest, the state's only national forest.
Grafton was one of the five counties originally identified for New Hampshire in 1769. It was named forAugustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton,[4] who had been a supporter of American causes inParliament, and who was serving asBritish Prime Minister at the time. The county was organized atHaverhill in 1771, and originally included the entire northern frontier of New Hampshire, including several towns now inVermont. In 1803, the northern area was removed for the formation ofCoos County. The three counties to the south wereStrafford,Hillsborough andCheshire, and the eastern edge bordered the "District of Maine". In 1797, the county had 50 townships, 17 locations, and a population of 23,093.[5]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,750 square miles (4,500 km2), of which 1,709 square miles (4,430 km2) are land and 41 square miles (110 km2) (2.3%) are water.[6] It is the second-largest county in New Hampshire by area.
Grafton County is heavily rural. About half of its area is in theWhite Mountain National Forest.Squam Lake, featured in the filmOn Golden Pond, and theOld Man of the Mountain landmark are here, as areDartmouth College and theHubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Many of the4,000-foot mountains of New Hampshire are within the county. TheAppalachian Trail passes through parts of at least ten towns in the county.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 13,468 | — | |
| 1800 | 23,093 | 71.5% | |
| 1810 | 28,462 | 23.2% | |
| 1820 | 32,989 | 15.9% | |
| 1830 | 38,682 | 17.3% | |
| 1840 | 42,311 | 9.4% | |
| 1850 | 42,343 | 0.1% | |
| 1860 | 42,260 | −0.2% | |
| 1870 | 39,103 | −7.5% | |
| 1880 | 38,788 | −0.8% | |
| 1890 | 37,217 | −4.1% | |
| 1900 | 40,844 | 9.7% | |
| 1910 | 41,652 | 2.0% | |
| 1920 | 40,572 | −2.6% | |
| 1930 | 42,816 | 5.5% | |
| 1940 | 44,645 | 4.3% | |
| 1950 | 47,923 | 7.3% | |
| 1960 | 48,857 | 1.9% | |
| 1970 | 54,914 | 12.4% | |
| 1980 | 65,806 | 19.8% | |
| 1990 | 74,929 | 13.9% | |
| 2000 | 81,743 | 9.1% | |
| 2010 | 89,118 | 9.0% | |
| 2020 | 91,118 | 2.2% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 93,045 | [7] | 2.1% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010-2018[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 91,118. The median age was 43.7 years. 15.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.6 males age 18 and over.[12]
The racial makeup of the county was 89.2% White, 0.9%Black or African American, 0.2%American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.1%Asian, 0.0%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 5.5% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.8% of the population.[13]
34.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 65.7% lived in rural areas.[14]
There were 37,683 households in the county, of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]
There were 50,840 housing units, of which 25.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 68.0% were owner-occupied and 32.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%.[12]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[15] | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 77,730 | 82,294 | 80,370 | 95.09% | 92.34% | 88.20% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 419 | 768 | 783 | 0.51% | 0.86% | 0.85% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 240 | 307 | 180 | 0.29% | 0.34% | 0.19% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 1,399 | 2,618 | 2,855 | 1.71% | 2.93% | 3.13% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 21 | 16 | 24 | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 88 | 100 | 368 | 0.10% | 0.11% | 0.40% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 932 | 1,415 | 3,959 | 1.14% | 1.58% | 4.34% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 914 | 1,600 | 2,579 | 1.11% | 1.79% | 2.83% |
| Total | 81,743 | 89,118 | 91,118 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 United States census, there were 89,118 people, 35,986 households, and 22,074 families in the county.[18] The population density was 52.2 inhabitants per square mile (20.2 inhabitants/km2). There were 51,120 housing units at an average density of 29.9 units per square mile (11.5 units/km2).[19] The county's racial makeup was 93.6% white, 3.0% Asian, 0.9% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population.[18] In terms of ancestry, 23.6% wereEnglish, 18.7% wereIrish, 10.9% wereGerman, 6.6% wereItalian, 5.8% wereScottish, 5.8% wereFrench Canadian, and 5.0% wereAmerican.[20]
Of the 35,986 households, 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.7% were non-families, and 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 41.2 years.[18]
The median household income was $53,075 and the median family income was $66,253. Males had a median income of $43,566 versus $33,535 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,170. About 5.1% of families and 9.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.[21]
As of thecensus[23] of 2000, 81,743 people, 31,598 households, and 20,254 families resided in the county. The population density was 48 inhabitants per square mile (19 inhabitants/km2). There were 43,729 housing units at an average density of 26 units per square mile (10/km2). The county's racial makeup was 95.76%White, 1.73%Asian, 0.53%Black orAfrican American, 0.31%Native American, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.39% fromother races, and 1.26% from two or more races. 1.12% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 19.0% were ofEnglish, 12.9%Irish, 11.1%French, 7.8%American, 7.5%German, 6.8%French Canadian and 5.5%Italian ancestry. 95.1% spokeEnglish, 1.5%French and 1.3%Spanish as their first language.
There were 31,598 households, of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% weremarried couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.90% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 18, 13.50% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.
The county's median household income was $41,962, and the median family income was $50,424. Males had a median income of $31,874 versus $25,286 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $22,227. About 5.10% of families and 8.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
In the2000 United States presidential election,Al Gore narrowly carried the county overGeorge W. Bush, taking 47.31% of the vote to Bush's 46.71%. Other candidates got a combined 5.98%. In2004 John Kerry prevailed over Bush by a wider margin: Kerry received 55.74% of the vote, while Bush received 43.17%. In2008,Barack Obama carried Grafton by a landslide, receiving 63.03% of the vote toJohn McCain's 35.45%. It was Obama's highest percentage by county in New Hampshire.[24] In2016,Hillary Clinton won this county with 55.7%, whileDonald Trump received 37.1% of the vote. It was Clinton's highest percentage by county in New Hampshire.[25] In 2024, the county was the only one in the state to vote forNikki Haley rather thanDonald Trump in the state's Republican presidential primary.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 21,909 | 39.20% | 32,993 | 59.03% | 993 | 1.78% |
| 2020 | 19,905 | 36.77% | 33,180 | 61.29% | 1,047 | 1.93% |
| 2016 | 19,010 | 37.14% | 28,510 | 55.69% | 3,671 | 7.17% |
| 2012 | 18,208 | 37.15% | 29,826 | 60.85% | 980 | 2.00% |
| 2008 | 17,687 | 35.45% | 31,446 | 63.03% | 757 | 1.52% |
| 2004 | 20,277 | 43.17% | 26,180 | 55.74% | 514 | 1.09% |
| 2000 | 18,092 | 46.71% | 18,326 | 47.31% | 2,315 | 5.98% |
| 1996 | 13,543 | 38.95% | 17,476 | 50.26% | 3,753 | 10.79% |
| 1992 | 13,450 | 37.01% | 15,389 | 42.34% | 7,504 | 20.65% |
| 1988 | 19,033 | 62.00% | 11,484 | 37.41% | 182 | 0.59% |
| 1984 | 18,451 | 67.59% | 8,757 | 32.08% | 92 | 0.34% |
| 1980 | 15,273 | 56.25% | 7,282 | 26.82% | 4,596 | 16.93% |
| 1976 | 14,430 | 60.34% | 8,996 | 37.62% | 488 | 2.04% |
| 1972 | 16,605 | 65.58% | 8,388 | 33.13% | 326 | 1.29% |
| 1968 | 12,881 | 59.76% | 7,813 | 36.25% | 860 | 3.99% |
| 1964 | 8,461 | 40.24% | 12,566 | 59.76% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 14,454 | 64.89% | 7,821 | 35.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 15,609 | 74.04% | 5,466 | 25.93% | 6 | 0.03% |
| 1952 | 15,937 | 72.24% | 6,124 | 27.76% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 12,248 | 63.52% | 6,841 | 35.48% | 192 | 1.00% |
| 1944 | 10,947 | 55.58% | 8,743 | 44.39% | 7 | 0.04% |
| 1940 | 11,478 | 54.04% | 9,761 | 45.96% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 11,336 | 56.63% | 8,520 | 42.57% | 160 | 0.80% |
| 1932 | 10,810 | 55.94% | 8,342 | 43.17% | 171 | 0.88% |
| 1928 | 12,566 | 66.99% | 6,035 | 32.17% | 158 | 0.84% |
| 1924 | 10,493 | 64.12% | 5,360 | 32.75% | 511 | 3.12% |
| 1920 | 9,650 | 61.10% | 6,102 | 38.63% | 42 | 0.27% |
| 1916 | 4,795 | 50.38% | 4,644 | 48.80% | 78 | 0.82% |
| 1912 | 3,520 | 36.70% | 3,752 | 39.12% | 2,318 | 24.17% |
| 1908 | 6,323 | 62.60% | 3,582 | 35.46% | 196 | 1.94% |
| 1904 | 6,100 | 62.55% | 3,496 | 35.85% | 156 | 1.60% |
| 1900 | 6,177 | 61.71% | 3,619 | 36.15% | 214 | 2.14% |
| 1896 | 6,199 | 68.15% | 2,306 | 25.35% | 591 | 6.50% |
| 1892 | 4,828 | 49.25% | 4,794 | 48.90% | 182 | 1.86% |
| 1888 | 5,209 | 49.28% | 5,170 | 48.91% | 191 | 1.81% |
| 1884 | 5,171 | 50.30% | 4,917 | 47.83% | 193 | 1.88% |
| 1880 | 4,964 | 47.71% | 5,300 | 50.94% | 140 | 1.35% |
| 1876 | 4,763 | 48.33% | 5,092 | 51.66% | 1 | 0.01% |
The executive power of Grafton County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county.
| District | Commissioner | Hometown | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wendy Piper | Enfield | Republican |
| 2 | Martha Stroup McLeod | Franconia | Democratic |
| 3 | Omer Ahern Jr. | Wentworth | Republican |
In addition to the County Commission, there are also five directly elected officials: they include County Attorney, Register of Deeds, County Sheriff, Register of Probate, and County Treasurer.
| Office | Name |
|---|---|
| County Attorney | Martha Ann Hornick (D) |
| Register of Deeds | Kelley Monahan (R)[27] |
| County Sheriff | Jeff Stiegler (D) |
| Register of Probate | Charles Townsend (D) |
| County Treasurer | Karen Liot Hill (D) |
The general court delegation of Grafton County is made up of all of the members of theNew Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. There are 26 members from 18 different districts. After the 2022 elections, the party distribution of representatives was as follows.
| Affiliation | Members | Voting share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 18 | 69.2% | |
| Republican Party | 8 | 30.8% | |
| Total | 27 | 100% | |
(Compiled fromRadiostationworld.com)
School districts include:
Unified (K-12):[29]
Secondary:[29]
Elementary:[29]
Places adjacent to Grafton County, New Hampshire | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofGrafton County, New Hampshire,United States | ||
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