Bow, New Hampshire
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| Bow, New Hampshire | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bow, New Hampshire |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | New Hampshire |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Merrimack |
| Government type | Town meeting |
| Leader title | Select Board |
| Leader name | Paul L. Valhouli (Chair), Christopher Nicolopoulos, Matthew B. Logue |
| Established title | Incorporated |
| Established date | 1727 |
| Area total km2 | 74.8 |
| Area land km2 | 73.8 |
| Area water km2 | 1.0 |
| Area water percent | 1.30 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 8305 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 43, 08, 07, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 03304 |
| Area code | 603 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 33-06500 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0873551 |
| Website | www.bownh.gov |
Bow, New Hampshire is a town in Merrimack County, situated along the Merrimack River just south of the state capital, Concord. Originally part of a land grant from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, it was incorporated in 1727 and named after the shape of the Bow section of London. The town is primarily a residential community with a significant history in early American industry and agriculture, and it is part of the Concord micropolitan area.
History
The area was first part of a 1727 grant called Baker's Town, later renamed by Governor Benning Wentworth in 1728. Early settlement was driven by agriculture, with the first meetinghouse built in 1739. The town played a role in the American Revolutionary War, with local militia mustering for events like the Battle of Bunker Hill. In the 19th century, Bow developed industries including a gristmill and a sawmill powered by the Merrimack River, and was home to the Bow Mills, a significant textile manufacturing village. The arrival of the Concord Railroad in the 1840s facilitated growth, and the town was the birthplace of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 74.8 square kilometers, of which 73.8 square kilometers is land and 1.0 square kilometer is water, primarily consisting of the Merrimack River which forms its western border. The town is bordered by Concord to the north, Dunbarton to the east, Hooksett to the southeast, and Allenstown to the south. The terrain includes rolling hills and several smaller water bodies like Johnson Pond, and the town is traversed by Interstate 93 and New Hampshire Route 3A.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 8,305 people residing in the town. The Census Bureau reported a population density of approximately 112.5 persons per square kilometer. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with smaller populations of Asian, African American, and Hispanic residents. The median household income was significantly above the state average, and a high percentage of adults held a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting its status as an affluent suburb of Concord.
Government
Bow operates under the town meeting form of government, with an elected Select Board serving as the executive body. The town is part of New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district and is represented in the New Hampshire Senate by members from District 7. Local services include a police department, a volunteer fire department, and a public works department. The town is also a member of the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission.
Education
Public education is managed by the Bow School District, which operates Bow Memorial School for elementary grades and Bow High School. The high school's athletic teams, known as the Bow Falcons, compete in the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association. The district is known for high academic performance, consistently ranking among the top in New Hampshire on standardized assessments like the SAT. There are no private schools or institutions of higher education within the town's borders.
Notable people
Notable residents have included religious leader Mary Baker Eddy; U.S. Ambassador and New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Charles H. Blood; American Civil War Union Army officer Gilman Marston; and Major League Baseball player Chris Carpenter. Contemporary figures include state representative and former Select Board member Harry Judd.
Category:Towns in Merrimack County, New Hampshire Category:Towns in New Hampshire Category:1727 establishments in New Hampshire Category:Populated places established in 1727