History
First called the Plantation of Winnacunnet, Hampton was one of four original New Hampshire townships chartered in 1638 by the Gen l Court of Massachusetts, which then held authority over the colony. Winnacunnet was a Pennacook Abenaki word meaning "pleasant pines." "Hampton" would be incorporated in 1639. The town was settled by a group of parishoners led by Reverend Stephen Bachiler, who had formerly preached at the settlement's namesake: Hampton, England. The township once included Seabrook, Kensington, Danville, Kingston, East Kingston, Sandown, North Hampton, South Hampton and Hampton Falls.
Construction of the railroad in the 1850s as well as the Exeter and Hampton Trolley line made Hampton's oceanfront a popular resort.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.8 km2 (14.6 mi2). 33.7 km2 (13.0 mi2) of it is land and 4.0 km2 (1.5 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 10.63% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 14,937 people, 6,465 households, and 4,034 families residing in the town. The population density is 442.6/km2 (1,146.0/mi2). There are 9,349 housing units at an av ge density of 277.0 persons/km2 (717.3 persons/mi2). The racial makeup of the town is 97.57% White, 0.39% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,465 households out of which 26.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% are married couples living together, 8.7% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 37.6% are non-families. 30.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The av ge household size is 2.28 and the av ge family size is 2.86.
The median income for a household in the town is $54,419, and the median income for a family is $66,000. Males have a median income of $46,727 versus $31,695 for females. The per capita income for the town is $29,878. 5.9% of the population and 4.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.5% are under the age of 18 and 7.1% are 65 or older.
Town of Hampton, New Hampshire Official Website
Hampton Historical Society Website
Hampton Public Library Website, with town historical information
