Bristol, New Hampshire
Bristol is a town located in Grafton County, New Hampshire. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 3,033. It is home to Wellington State Park and Sugar Hill State Forest. Surrounded by hills and lakes, Bristol includes the lower two-thirds of Newfound Lake, a resort area.
History
The town was incorporated in 1819. Extensive deposits of fine sand or clay similar to the "Bristol sand" used in Bristol, England to make fine china and pottery gave the town its name. Here the sand was used to make a superior quality brick, marketed as "Bristol brick." With water power from the Pemigewasset River, the town was a center of manufacturing in the early days for goods such as paper, leather, woolens, flannel, bedsteads and piano stools.
The scenic beauty of Newfound Lake, reputedly among the world's cleanest, began attracting summer tourists in the mid-1800s. Farmers at first rented rooms and provided meals, but in the 1870s, hotels and tent colonies were established along the shore to accommodate vacationers. In Bristol, the Hotel Bristol and G.G. Brown Hotel were built. In the 1920s, W.F. Darling created a compound of about 100 cottages for rent, first known as Hiland Park, and later as Bungalo Village. The lake, which is 2 and half miles wide and 7 miles long, is one of New Hampshire's deepest -- up to 180 feet (55 meters).
Notable Inhabitants:
- John Cheever, writer (summer resident)
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 57.7 km² (22.3 mi²). 44.9 km² (17.3 mi²) of it is land and 12.7 km² (4.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 22.10% water. Bristol is drained by the Pemigewasset, Smith and Newfound rivers.
Demographics
This article describes the town of Bristol as a whole. Additional demographic detail is available which describes only the central settlement or village within the town, although those details are included in the aggregate values reported here. See: Bristol (CDP), New Hampshire.
As of the census of 2000, there are 3,033 people, 1,219 households, and 830 families residing in the town. The population density is 67.5/km² (174.9/mi²). There are 2,073 housing units at an average density of 46.2 persons/km² (119.5 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.08% White, 0.26% African American, 0.40% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,219 households out of which 31.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% are married couples living together, 11.0% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 31.9% are non-families. 24.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.47 and the average family size is 2.94.
In the town the population is spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $38,032, and the median income for a family is $44,766. Males have a median income of $31,088 versus $22,406 for females. The per capita income for the town is $19,807. 6.9% of the population and 5.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.6% are under the age of 18 and 8.4% are 65 or older.
Most of the 14-18 year old young adults are enrolled in Newfound Regional High School. However, Newfound is one of many schools in the United States that is haunted by a high drop-out rate.Some are part of a makeshift gang called the KOB, or "Kings of Bristol". Police have had minor encounters in the past with them, most of them very recent, as in the past year or two.
Culture
One of the main places to see some of the 14-18 year old demographic go is Cumberland Farms, also known as "Cumby's". The main attraction is the ability to buy a 32 oz slushie for $0.69.
Another popular place is the skate park behind Newfound Memorial Middle School. This is not very far from the TTCC, or Tapply-Thompson Community Center, formerly called the Bristol Community Center. There have been many events in there, including X-Box parties, karate courses, charity events, and summer camp.
