Cheshire County, New Hampshire

Coordinates: 42°55′N 72°15′W / 42.92°N 72.25°W / 42.92; -72.25
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Cheshire County
Cheshire County Courthouse in Keene
Cheshire County Courthouse in Keene
Official seal of Cheshire County
Map of New Hampshire highlighting Cheshire County
Location within the U.S. state of New Hampshire
Map of the United States highlighting New Hampshire
New Hampshire's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°54′42″N 72°14′31″W / 42.9118°N 72.242081°W / 42.9118; -72.242081
Country United States
State New Hampshire
Founded1769
Named forCheshire
SeatKeene
Largest cityKeene
Area
 • Total728.9 sq mi (1,888 km2)
 • Land706.7 sq mi (1,830 km2)
 • Water22.2 sq mi (57 km2)  3.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total76,458
 • Density108.2/sq mi (41.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websiteco.cheshire.nh.us

Cheshire County is a county in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2020 census, the population was 76,458.[1] Its county seat is the city of Keene.[2] Cheshire was one of the five original counties of New Hampshire, and is named for the county of Cheshire in England. It was organized in 1771 at Keene. Sullivan County was created from the northern portion of Cheshire County in 1827.

Cheshire County comprises the Keene, NH micropolitan statistical area.

Geography[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 729 square miles (1,890 km2), of which 707 square miles (1,830 km2) is land and 22 square miles (57 km2) (3.1%) is water.[3] The highest point in Cheshire County is Mount Monadnock, in the northwestern part of Jaffrey, at 3,165 feet (965 m).

Adjacent counties[edit]

Geographical landmarks[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
179028,753
180038,82535.0%
181040,9885.6%
182045,37610.7%
183027,016−40.5%
184026,429−2.2%
185030,14414.1%
186027,434−9.0%
187027,265−0.6%
188028,7345.4%
189029,5792.9%
190031,3215.9%
191030,659−2.1%
192030,9751.0%
193033,6858.7%
194034,9533.8%
195038,81111.0%
196043,34211.7%
197052,36420.8%
198062,11618.6%
199070,12112.9%
200073,8255.3%
201077,1174.5%
202076,458−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790-1960[5] 1900-1990[6]
1990-2000[7] 2010-2018[8]

2000 census[edit]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 73,825 people, 28,299 households, and 18,790 families living in the county. The population density was 104 people per square mile (40 people/km2). There were 31,876 housing units at an average density of 45 per square mile (17/km2). The county's racial makeup was 97.75% White, 0.37% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.2% were of English, 13.1% French, 12.7% Irish, 9.3% American, 8.7% French Canadian, 6.7% Italian and 6.5% German ancestry. 95.5% spoke English, 1.4% French and 1.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 28,299 households, of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.50% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.60% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.96.

23.30% of the county's population were under the age of 18, 11.70% were from 18 to 24, 27.00% were from 25 to 44, 24.30% were from 45 to 64, and 13.70% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The county's median household income was $42,382, and the median family income was $51,043. Males had a median income of $33,821 versus $25,328 for females. The county's per capita income was $20,685. About 4.40% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.50% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 77,117 people, 30,204 households, and 19,284 families living in the county.[10] The population density was 109.1 inhabitants per square mile (42.1/km2). There were 34,773 housing units at an average density of 49.2 per square mile (19.0/km2).[11] The county's racial makeup was 96.3% white, 1.2% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 20.7% were English, 19.1% were Irish, 12.0% were German, 8.8% were French Canadian, 8.7% were Italian, 5.0% were Scottish, and 4.7% were American.[12]

Of the 30,204 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.2% were non-families, and 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 40.7 years.[10]

The county's median household income was $53,828 and the median family income was $65,936. Males had a median income of $46,014 versus $35,864 for females. The county's per capita income was $27,045. About 6.0% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Politics and government[edit]

United States presidential election results for Cheshire County, New Hampshire[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 17,898 40.34% 25,522 57.52% 950 2.14%
2016 16,876 40.28% 22,064 52.66% 2,955 7.05%
2012 15,156 36.64% 25,380 61.36% 824 1.99%
2008 15,205 35.51% 26,971 62.98% 647 1.51%
2004 16,463 39.82% 24,438 59.10% 446 1.08%
2000 13,793 41.30% 17,382 52.05% 2,220 6.65%
1996 10,252 34.52% 16,159 54.41% 3,290 11.08%
1992 11,037 34.00% 15,037 46.33% 6,383 19.67%
1988 15,002 54.53% 12,339 44.85% 171 0.62%
1984 15,851 63.55% 8,990 36.05% 100 0.40%
1980 13,242 52.00% 7,835 30.77% 4,390 17.24%
1976 12,554 53.87% 10,388 44.57% 363 1.56%
1972 13,390 58.98% 9,157 40.33% 156 0.69%
1968 10,702 52.64% 9,135 44.93% 495 2.43%
1964 5,958 30.42% 13,626 69.58% 0 0.00%
1960 11,594 57.22% 8,668 42.78% 0 0.00%
1956 12,585 69.26% 5,574 30.68% 11 0.06%
1952 11,897 63.94% 6,710 36.06% 0 0.00%
1948 9,043 58.32% 6,337 40.87% 126 0.81%
1944 8,334 54.00% 7,098 45.99% 2 0.01%
1940 8,302 54.55% 6,916 45.45% 0 0.00%
1936 8,052 55.25% 6,322 43.38% 200 1.37%
1932 7,904 57.73% 5,662 41.35% 126 0.92%
1928 8,673 63.05% 5,025 36.53% 58 0.42%
1924 7,008 69.00% 2,720 26.78% 428 4.21%
1920 6,644 65.83% 3,374 33.43% 74 0.73%
1916 3,337 53.44% 2,779 44.51% 128 2.05%
1912 2,765 43.74% 2,114 33.44% 1,442 22.81%
1908 4,160 64.74% 1,917 29.83% 349 5.43%
1904 4,364 66.63% 2,002 30.56% 184 2.81%
1900 4,435 66.73% 2,120 31.90% 91 1.37%
1896 4,818 75.60% 1,272 19.96% 283 4.44%
1892 4,024 56.34% 2,994 41.92% 124 1.74%
1888 4,118 55.52% 3,165 42.67% 134 1.81%
1884 3,888 54.34% 2,981 41.66% 286 4.00%
1880 4,340 58.61% 2,979 40.23% 86 1.16%
1876 4,162 58.19% 2,984 41.72% 6 0.08%

County Commission[edit]

The executive power of Cheshire 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 John Wozmak (chair) Walpole Democratic
2 Terry Clark (Clerk) Keene Democratic
3 Robert Englund (Vice Chair) Stoddard Democratic

In addition to the County Commission, there are five directly elected officials: they include County Attorney, Register of Deeds, County Sheriff, Register of Probate, and County Treasurer.[15]

Office Name
County Attorney Chris McLaughlin (D)
Register of Deeds Anna Tilton (D)
County Sheriff Eli Rivera (D)
Register of Probate Jeremy LaPlante (D)
County Treasurer Charles Weed (D)

[16]

Legislative branch[edit]

The legislative branch of Cheshire County is made up of all of the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. In total, there are 22 members from 18 different districts. After the 2022 elections, the party distribution and representatives were as follows.

Affiliation Members Voting share
Democratic Party 16 72.7%
Republican Party 6 27.3%
Total 23 100%

Communities[edit]

City[edit]

Towns[edit]

Census-designated places[edit]

Villages[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Cheshire County, New Hampshire". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  4. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  5. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  6. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  7. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  8. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  10. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  11. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  12. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  13. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  15. ^ "Departments".
  16. ^ "General Election Winners - 11/03/2020" (PDF). New Hampshire Secretary of State's Office. November 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2020.

External links[edit]

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42°55′N 72°15′W / 42.92°N 72.25°W / 42.92; -72.25