Belmont, New Hampshire
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| Belmont, New Hampshire | |
|---|---|
 Ken Gallager · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source | |
| Name | Belmont |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | New Hampshire |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Belknap |
| Leader title | Board of Selectmen |
| Established title | Incorporated |
| Established date | 1859 |
| Area total km2 | 83.0 |
| Area land km2 | 78.8 |
| Area water km2 | 4.2 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 7363 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 43, 26, 47, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 03220 |
| Area code | 603 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 33-04740 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0873542 |
| Website | www.belmontnh.org |
Belmont, New Hampshire is a town located in Belknap County within the Lakes Region of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. Incorporated in 1859 from portions of Laconia, Gilford, and Sanbornton, it is situated near the southern shore of Lake Winnisquam. The community has evolved from its agricultural and industrial roots into a residential town with a diverse local economy.
History
The area was originally part of a Masonian Grant known as the Meredith Bridge parish, with early settlement in the 1760s by families like the Smiths and Rowes. Its development was spurred by water power from the Tioga River, leading to the establishment of mills by entrepreneurs such as John W. Weeks, who later became a United States Senator and United States Secretary of War. The Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad reached the area in the 1840s, facilitating growth and leading to its incorporation as a separate town. Significant 19th-century industries included the Belmont Mill, a large woolen mill complex, and the H.H. Babcock Company, a major manufacturer of sleighs and carriages. The town was also the site of the Belmont Sanatorium, a notable tuberculosis treatment facility in the early 20th century.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 83.0 square kilometers, of which 78.8 square kilometers is land and 4.2 square kilometers is water, primarily consisting of portions of Lake Winnisquam and the Tioga River. It is bordered by Laconia to the north, Gilford to the northeast, Alton to the southeast, Tilton to the south, and Sanbornton to the west. The terrain includes several hills, such as Durrell Mountain, and is traversed by Route 106 and Route 140. The Winnisquam Dam on the Pemigewasset River regulates the lake's water level.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 7,363, representing growth from the 2010 count of 7,356. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with smaller populations of African American, Native American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The median household income has historically been slightly below the average for New Hampshire, with a small percentage of families living below the poverty line. Housing is primarily single-family homes, with a mix of older properties in the village center and newer developments.
Government
The municipality operates under a Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting form of government. Town services include a police department, a volunteer fire department led by a Fire chief, and a public works department. The town is part of New Hampshire's 1st congressional district for federal representation and belongs to New Hampshire Senate district 2 and New Hampshire House districts Belknap 5 and 9 for the New Hampshire General Court. Local elections are held annually in March.
Education
Public education is managed by the Belmont School District, which operates Belmont Elementary School, Belmont Middle School, and Belmont High School. The high school's athletic teams, the Belmont Red Raiders, compete in NHIAA Division III. The district is part of School Administrative Unit 80, which also includes the neighboring town of Canterbury. Students may also choose to attend the Shaker Regional School District for certain programs or the Huot Technical Center in Laconia for career and technical education.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with the area include John W. Weeks, a United States Senator and United States Secretary of War for whom Weeks State Park in Lancaster is named; Ruth Draper, a renowned monologist who spent summers at her family estate; Harold P. Gilmour, a state legislator born here; and Mike Barnicle, a longtime columnist for The Boston Globe. Sarah Josepha Hale, the author of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and an influential editor of Godey's Lady's Book, also had familial connections to early settlers in the town.
Category:Towns in Belknap County, New Hampshire Category:Towns in New Hampshire Category:1859 establishments in New Hampshire