Durham, New Hampshire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Town of Durham | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Strafford |
| Settled | 1635 |
| Incorporated | 1732 |
| Area | |
| - Total | 24.8 sq mi (64.1 km²) |
| - Land | 22.4 sq mi (58.0 km²) |
| - Water | 2.4 sq mi (6.1 km²) 9.57% |
| Elevation | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 12,684 |
| - Density | 565.5/sq mi (218.4/km²) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 03824 |
| Area code(s) | 603 |
| FIPS code | 33-19700 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0873584 |
| Website: www.ci.durham.nh.us | |
Durham is a town in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 12,664 at the 2000 census. Durham is home to the University of New Hampshire.
The primary settlement in town, where over 71% of the population resides, is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Durham census-designated place (CDP) and includes the densely-populated portion of the town centered on the intersection of New Hampshire Route 108 and Main Street and including the university.
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[edit] History
Situated beside Great Bay at the mouth of the Oyster River, Durham was originally called Oyster River Plantation. It was settled in 1635 as a part of Dover.
During King William's War, on July 18, 1694, the English settlement was attacked in the "Oyster River Massacre" by French career soldier Sebastien de Villieu with about 250 Abenaki Indians from Norridgewock under command of their sagamore, Bomazeen (or Bomoseen). In all, 45 inhabitants were killed and 49 taken captive, with half the dwellings, including 5 garrisons, burned to the ground. Crops were destroyed and livestock killed, causing famine and destitution for survivors. The community would rebuild, however, and by 1716 Durham was a separate parish, named after Durham, England. Incorporated in 1732, Durham once included portions of the present-day towns of Madbury, Lee and Newmarket. Because of its arable land, the town would develop as a farming community.
A descendant of an early settler, Benjamin Thompson bequeathed his assets and family estate, Warner Farm, to the state for the establishment of an agricultural college. Originally founded in 1866, at Hanover, the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts moved to Durham in 1893, and became University of New Hampshire in 1923. Thompson Hall, built in 1892 with an iconic clock tower, is named in his honor. Designed in the Romanesque Revival style by the Concord architectural firm of Dow & Randlett, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
[edit] Notable inhabitants
- Daniel Ford, writer
- Joyce Maynard, writer
- Hercules Mooney, Revolutionary War officer
- Don Murray, journalist
- Deron Quint, NHL player
- Alexander Scammel, Col. of the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment
- Daniel C. Stillson [1] (1830-1899), inventor of the Stillson pipe wrench
- John Sullivan, Revolutionary War general
- Benjamin Thompson, farmer, businessman & benefactor of U.N.H.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 24.8 square miles (64 km²), of which 22.4 sq mi (58 km²) is land and 2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²) is water, comprising 9.57% of the town. The town is drained by the Oyster River. The highest point in Durham is Beech Hill, at 290 feet (88 m) above sea level, located on the town's northern border. Durham lies fully within the Piscataqua River (coastal) watershed.[1]
The village area of the town, defined as a census-designated place (CDP), has a total area of 2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²), of which 0.1 sq mi (0.26 km²) (1.85%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,664 people, 2,882 households, and 1,582 families residing in the town. The population density was 565.5 people per square mile (218.4/km²). There were 2,923 housing units at an average density of 130.5/sq mi (50.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.55% White, 0.77% African American, 0.21% Native American, 3.10% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,882 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 4.8% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 45.1% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.03.
The age distribution, heavily influenced by the presence of UNH, is: 12.0% under the age of 18, 56.5% from 18 to 24, 13.3% from 25 to 44, 12.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years, which is also typical for a college town. For every 100 females there are 82.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $51,697, and the median income for a family was $83,609. Males had a median income of $54,519 versus $31,548 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,210. 27.7% of the population and 2.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 5.5% are under the age of 18 and 1.1% are 65 or older.
[edit] Town center
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,024 people, 1,703 households, and 727 families residing in the town center, or CDP. The population density was 3,398.7 people per square mile (1,309.8/km²). There were 1,718 housing units at an average density of 249.4 persons/km² (647.1 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 93.27% White, 0.83% African American, 0.29% Native American, 3.96% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 1.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,703 households out of which 20.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples living together, 4.2% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 57.3% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 2.91.
The age distribution of the village area is: 6.8% under the age of 18, 71.5% from 18 to 24, 9.4% from 25 to 44, 7.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. The distribution and median age are both typical for university towns. For every 100 females there are 79.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.1 males.
The median income for a household is $30,040, and the median income for a family was $70,066. Males had a median income of $48,155 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,088. 39.9% of the population and 5.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 12.3% are under the age of 18 and 1.8% are 65 or older. However, much of the population "living in poverty" consists of students, many of whom are still partially supported by their parents.
[edit] Sites of Interest
[edit] See also
[edit] Photo gallery
 Pettee Hall |
 Taylor Hall |
 Murkland Hall |
 Thompson Hall |
 Dimond Library |
 Church |
 Downtown at Madbury Road and Main Street |
 Babcock Hall |
[edit] References
- ^ Foster, Debra H.; Batorfalvy, Tatianna N.; and Medalie, Laura (1995). Water Use in New Hampshire: An Activities Guide for Teachers. U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey.
[edit] External links
- Town website
- New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile
- University of New Hampshire
- History of the Oyster River Massacre
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