Westmoreland, New Hampshire | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Union Churchc. 1915 | |
 Seal | |
 Location inCheshire County,New Hampshire | |
| Coordinates:42°57′43″N72°26′32″W / 42.96194°N 72.44222°W /42.96194; -72.44222 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Cheshire |
| Incorporated | 1752 |
| Villages |
|
| Government | |
| • Board of Selectmen |
|
| • Town Administrator | Jodi Scanlan |
| Area | |
• Total | 36.8 sq mi (95.4 km2) |
| • Land | 35.8 sq mi (92.7 km2) |
| • Water | 1.0 sq mi (2.7 km2) 2.80% |
| Elevation | 417 ft (127 m) |
| Population (2020)[2] | |
• Total | 1,706 |
| • Density | 48/sq mi (18.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP code | 03467 |
| Area code | 603 |
| FIPS code | 33-82660 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0873753 |
| Website | www |
Westmoreland is atown inCheshire County,New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,706 at the2020 census,[2] down from 1,874 at the2010 census.[3] Westmoreland is historically anagricultural town, with mucharable farmland.
Prior toEuropean colonization, present-day Westmoreland was inhabited by numerousindigenous tribes. The upperConnecticut River valley was a popular region for short-term Indigenous villages mostly used for hunting and fishing.[4] Tribes such as thePennacook Confederation and theAbenaki were frequent visitors to the area. In the 1670s,King Philip's War led to the migration of most indigenous tribes to Canada.[4] Indigenous peoples did not understand the concept of individual land ownership, which resulted in numerous misunderstandings and conflict between them and English settlers.[4] The English settlers purchase of land and construction of permanent settlements disrupted the hunting and fishing traditions of the indigenous tribes.
While Indigenous activity was common in Westmoreland, not many aboriginal sites have been found. A "Pow-wow Rock" can be located off Poocham Road in Westmoreland across from the Thompson place (1970).[4] The namePoocham is anAbenaki word for "gathering place".[5] The Pow-wow Rock is a large boulder that was deposited by glaciers and is measured at 12 by 14 by 8 feet (3.7 by 4.3 by 2.4 m) in height. At this location, records describe the hosting of Indigenous pow-wows and the exchanging of prisoners.[5]
Once known as "Great Meadow", the town was first granted in 1735 by GovernorJonathan Belcher ofMassachusetts as "Number 2", second in a line ofConnecticut River fort towns designed to protect the colonies fromIndian attack. This part of the river was a favorite Indian campsite, and the settlers who came beginning in 1741 were several times victims of attack. When the border between Massachusetts and theProvince of New Hampshire was fixed (with Number 2 on the New Hampshire side), the town was regranted in 1752 by GovernorBenning Wentworth as Westmoreland, named forJohn Fane,7th Earl of Westmorland.[6]
ThePark Hill Meetinghouse, built in 1762, has aPaul Revere bell. Considered one of the most beautiful churches inNew England, it was moved to its present site byoxen in 1779 and renovated in 1826.[7]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.8 square miles (95.4 km2), of which 35.8 square miles (92.7 km2) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.7 km2), or 2.80%, is water. Westmoreland is bounded on the west by theConnecticut River, which is the state border withVermont. Hyland Hill, elevation 1,510 feet (460 m) and the highest point in town, is on the eastern border and although it is now private land, it is a local hiking and hunting destination.
Westmoreland is served by state routes12 and63.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 2,018 | — | |
| 1800 | 2,066 | 2.4% | |
| 1810 | 1,937 | −6.2% | |
| 1820 | 2,029 | 4.7% | |
| 1830 | 1,647 | −18.8% | |
| 1840 | 1,546 | −6.1% | |
| 1850 | 1,678 | 8.5% | |
| 1860 | 1,285 | −23.4% | |
| 1870 | 1,256 | −2.3% | |
| 1880 | 1,095 | −12.8% | |
| 1890 | 830 | −24.2% | |
| 1900 | 875 | 5.4% | |
| 1910 | 758 | −13.4% | |
| 1920 | 615 | −18.9% | |
| 1930 | 745 | 21.1% | |
| 1940 | 755 | 1.3% | |
| 1950 | 789 | 4.5% | |
| 1960 | 921 | 16.7% | |
| 1970 | 998 | 8.4% | |
| 1980 | 1,452 | 45.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,596 | 9.9% | |
| 2000 | 1,747 | 9.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,874 | 7.3% | |
| 2020 | 1,706 | −9.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] | |||
At the2000 census there were 1,747 people, 576 households, and 445 families living in the town. The population density was 48.7 inhabitants per square mile (18.8/km2). There were 618 housing units at an average density of 17.2 per square mile (6.7/km2). Theracial makeup of the town was 97.82% White, 0.34% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.34% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92%.[9]
Of the 576 households 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.6% were married couples living together, 3.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 17.4% of households were one person and 7.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.92.
The age distribution was 19.9% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.6 males.
The median household income was $55,875 and the median family income was $62,857. Males had a median income of $40,515 versus $28,456 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,488. About 0.4% of families and 2.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859.
Places adjacent to Westmoreland, New Hampshire | |
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Municipalities and communities ofCheshire County, New Hampshire,United States | ||
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| Towns | ||
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| Other villages | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
