Contoocook, New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
Contoocook is a village http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/htmlprofiles/hopkinton.html and census-designated place
(CDP) within the town of Hopkinton
in Merrimack County
, New Hampshire
, United States
. The population was 1,444 at the 2010 census.
that runs through it. In previous centuries the area was known as "Contoocookville". It is the birthplace of Civil War
naval
officer George H. Perkins
. His daughter Isabel Weld Perkins
and his son-in-law Larz Anderson
maintained Perkins Manor
as one of several summer homes.
In describing the approach to Perkins Manor one commentator writes:
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP of Contoocook has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), of which 2.3 sq mi (6 km²) is land and 0.1 sq mi (0.258998811 km²) (4.24%) is water.
Contoocook is northwest of Concord
, the state capital, on Interstate 89
.
of 2000, there were 1,444 people, 590 households, and 394 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 637.7 people per square mile (246.7/km²). There were 614 housing units at an average density of 271.2 per square mile (104.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.82% White, 0.28% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races
, and 0.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.
There were 590 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples
living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $49,038, and the median income for a family was $56,848. Males had a median income of $46,429 versus $29,875 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $22,124. About 2.8% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) within the town of Hopkinton
Hopkinton, New Hampshire
Hopkinton is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,589 at the 2010 census. It consists of three villages: Hopkinton, West Hopkinton, and Contoocook...
in Merrimack County
Merrimack County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 136,225 people, 51,843 households, and 35,460 families residing in the county. The population density was 146 people per square mile . There were 56,244 housing units at an average density of 60 per square mile...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,444 at the 2010 census.
History
Contoocook is named after the Contoocook RiverContoocook River
The Contoocook River is a river in New Hampshire. It flows from Pool Pond and Contoocook Lake on the Jaffrey/Rindge border to Penacook , where it empties into the Merrimack River. It is one of only a few rivers in New Hampshire that flow in a predominantly northward direction...
that runs through it. In previous centuries the area was known as "Contoocookville". It is the birthplace of Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
naval
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
officer George H. Perkins
George H. Perkins
Commodore George Hamilton Perkins was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.-Biography:...
. His daughter Isabel Weld Perkins
Isabel Weld Perkins
Isabel Weld Perkins , mostly known as Isabel Anderson or Mrs. Larz Anderson after her marriage, was a Boston-area heiress and author who left a legacy to the public that includes a park and two museums. She is interred in the St...
and his son-in-law Larz Anderson
Larz Anderson
Larz Anderson III was a wealthy American businessman and diplomat who briefly served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan ....
maintained Perkins Manor
Perkins Manor, Contoocook
Perkins Manor is a historic building in Contoocook, New Hampshire. It is the birthplace of Commodore George H. Perkins and later served as one of several homes of his daughter Isabel Weld Perkins and her husband Larz Anderson....
as one of several summer homes.
In describing the approach to Perkins Manor one commentator writes:
"In passing up the Concord and Claremont Railroad from ConcordConcord, New HampshireThe city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
, the observant traveler has doubtless noticed the substantial and comfortable-looking homestead with large and trim front yard, shaded by thickly planted and generous topped maples, on the right-hand side of the road after crossing the bridge that spans 'Contoocook's bright and brimming river' at the pleasant-looking village of Contoocookville in the northern part of HopkintonHopkinton, New HampshireHopkinton is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,589 at the 2010 census. It consists of three villages: Hopkinton, West Hopkinton, and Contoocook...
."
Notable inhabitants
Rose Flanders Bascom, who was born in Contoocook in 1880, joined the circus and became a noted female lion tamer before dying of a lion mauling.Geography
Contoocook is located at 43°13′25"N 71°42′53"W (43.223588, -71.714627).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP of Contoocook has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), of which 2.3 sq mi (6 km²) is land and 0.1 sq mi (0.258998811 km²) (4.24%) is water.
Contoocook is northwest of Concord
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
, the state capital, on Interstate 89
Interstate 89
Interstate 89 is an interstate highway in the New England region of the United States travelling between Bow, New Hampshire and Highgate Springs, Vermont. As with all odd-numbered primary interstates, I-89 is signed as a north–south highway...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,444 people, 590 households, and 394 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 637.7 people per square mile (246.7/km²). There were 614 housing units at an average density of 271.2 per square mile (104.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.82% White, 0.28% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.
There were 590 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $49,038, and the median income for a family was $56,848. Males had a median income of $46,429 versus $29,875 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $22,124. About 2.8% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.