Swanzey, New Hampshire
From Free net encyclopedia
Swanzey is a town located in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 6,800. Swanzey includes the villages of East Swanzey and West Swanzey.
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History
Image:Post Office, West Swanzey, NH.jpg First granted in 1733 as "Lower Ashuelot," this town was one of the fort towns established by Colonial Governor Jonathan Belcher of Massachusetts, which then held authority over the province of New Hampshire. It was chartered in 1753 by Governor Benning Wentworth, and named "Swanzey" at the suggestion of Governor William Brenton of Rhode Island. Governor Brenton was a large landowner in "Brenton's Farm," now Litchfield, New Hampshire, and Swansea, Massachusetts, named after Swansea in Wales. The town was the site of many battles during the French and Indian War. Situated on the Ashuelot River, West Swanzey would develop as a textile manufacturing center, and East Swanzey would produce wooden buckets for generations.
The town boasts four covered bridges, and was the home of theatrical trouper, Denman Thompson, who gained a national reputation by his portrayal of the Yankee farmer, "Joshua Whitcomb," star of his stage play, "The Old Homestead." Swanzey residents reproduce Thompson's melodrama every summer at a natural outdoor amphitheater.
Historic Sites & Museums:
- Swanzey Historical Museum
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 117.5 km² (45.3 mi²). 116.5 km² (45.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.9 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.79% water. Swanzey is drained by the Ashuelot River.
Demographics
Image:Denman Thompson's Residence.jpg As of the census2 of 2000, there were 6,800 people, 2,666 households, and 1,874 families residing in the town. The population density was 58.4/km² (151.1/mi²). There were 2,818 housing units at an average density of 24.2/km² (62.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.32% White, 0.18% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,666 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.97.
Image:Covered Bridge in West Swanzey, NH.jpg In the town the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $44,819, and the median income for a family was $51,500. Males had a median income of $32,421 versus $25,607 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,150. 5.4% of the population and 3.0% of families were below the poverty line. 2.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
