Rye is a town located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 5,182.
The first settlement in New Hampshire, established by David Thompson in 1623 at Odiorne's Point, and named Pannaway. Originally part of Portsmouth, it was incorporated as a parish of New Castle in 1726. The town is named for the borough of Rye, a flourishing English Channel town. Rye's eight-mile length of coastline is dotted with old names such as Wallis Sands, Jenness Beach, Locke's Neck, Ragged Neck, Rye Harbor, and Odiorne Point. In 1876, four of the Isles of Shoals were annexed to the town, the only New Hampshire town with Atlantic islands. The remaining five islands belong to Maine.
From the State Harbor to Jenness & Rye State Parks to Wallis Sands and Odiorne Point, Rye is the classic seacoast town. Jump on a whale watch from the harbor, or take a cruise over to the Isles of Shoals. The rocky shoreline is breathtaking New England scenery at its best.
Geography
Rye, New Hampshire |
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 91.9 km2 (35.5 mi2). 32.7 km2 (12.6 mi2) of it is land and 59.3 km2 (22.9 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 64.45% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 5,182 people, 2,176 households, and 1,462 families residing in the town. The population density is 158.5/km2 (410.7/mi2). There are 2,645 housing units at an av ge density of 80.9/km2 (209.6/mi2). The racial makeup of the town is 98.71% White, 0.14% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.62% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,176 households out of which 26.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% are married couples living together, 7.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% are non-families. 27.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The av ge household size is 2.35 and the av ge family size is 2.87.
In the town the population is spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 44 years. For every 100 females there are 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $63,152, and the median income for a family is $74,956. Males have a median income of $51,131 versus $34,327 for females. The per capita income for the town is $36,746. 3.5% of the population and 1.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.4% of those under the age of 18 and 0.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
