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Coos County, New Hampshire

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Article Genealogy
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Coos County, New Hampshire
CountyCoos County
StateNew Hampshire
Founded1803
SeatLancaster
Largest cityBerlin
Area total sq mi1830
Area land sq mi1795
Area water sq mi35
Area percentage1.9%
Population as of2020
Population total31,268
Population density sq mi17.4
Time zoneEastern
District2nd
Named forNative American term

Coos County, New Hampshire is the northernmost and geographically largest county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. Established by the New Hampshire General Court in 1803 from parts of northern Grafton County, its county seat is Lancaster and its most populous city is Berlin. The county is renowned for its vast national forest lands, rugged terrain including the Presidential Range, and its historical significance in the New England timber and paper industries.

History

The region was originally inhabited by the Abenaki people, specifically the Coos people, from whom the county derives its name. European exploration and settlement increased following the 1761 construction of the Coos Road, a military route built during the French and Indian War connecting Old Fort Number 4 in Charlestown to the Connecticut River valley. The county was formally organized in 1803, with its early economy centered on logging and subsistence farming. The arrival of the Grand Trunk Railway and later the Boston and Maine Railroad in the 19th century spurred industrial growth, particularly in Berlin, which became a global leader in pulp and paper production under the Brown Company. The county also played a role in the American Industrial Revolution and witnessed significant labor history, including the 1934 textile workers' strike activism.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,830 square miles, of which 1,795 square miles is land and 35 square miles is water. It is bordered by Essex County, Vermont to the west, Oxford County, Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec to the north. The landscape is dominated by the White Mountains, including notable peaks like Mount Washington in Sargent's Purchase and the Great Gulf Wilderness. Major waterways include the Androscoggin River, which flows through Berlin and Gorham, and the Connecticut River, which forms its western boundary. A significant portion of the county is within the White Mountain National Forest, and it contains the Northeast Kingdom region's southern reaches.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 31,268 people residing in the county, making it the least populous in New Hampshire. The population density was about 17.4 inhabitants per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly non-Hispanic white, with smaller populations of Native American, Asian, and African American residents. The largest ancestry groups reported include French, English, Irish, and German. The median household income has historically been below the state average, reflecting the economic transition from its industrial past. Major population centers are Berlin, Lancaster, and Gorham.

Government and politics

Coos County operates under a three-member Board of Commissioners and a County Administrator. Other elected officials include the Sheriff, Register of Deeds, Treasurer, and Register of Probate. The county is part of the First Executive Council District and is represented in the New Hampshire Senate and the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Federally, it is part of New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Ann McLane Kuster. Historically a Democratic stronghold due to its unionized industrial workforce, it has trended more toward the Republican Party in recent presidential elections, voting for Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020.

Economy

The economy was historically dominated by the paper mill industry, centered in Berlin with companies like the Brown Company and later James River Corporation. The decline of this industry in the late 20th century led to significant economic restructuring. Today, the economy is largely driven by tourism and outdoor recreation, leveraging assets like the White Mountain National Forest, Appalachian Trail, Mount Washington Auto Road, and several ski areas including Bretton Woods Mountain Resort and Cannon Mountain. Other sectors include healthcare, with facilities like Androscoggin Valley Hospital, retail, and corrections, with the Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility in Berlin. Agriculture, particularly dairy farming, and forestry remain present but smaller components.

Communities

The county contains 17 incorporated municipalities, consisting of cities, towns, and one unincorporated township, along with several grants and purchases. The only city is Berlin. Other significant towns include the county seat, Lancaster, and Gorham, Colebrook, and Whitefield. Notable unincorporated civil divisions, often within the White Mountain National Forest, include Bean's Grant, Sargent's Purchase, and Low and Burbank's Grant. These locations are popular for tourism and outdoor activities but have very small permanent populations.

Category:Coos County, New Hampshire Category:New Hampshire counties Category:1803 establishments in New Hampshire