Editing Cheshire County, New Hampshire

{{Short description|County in New Hampshire, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Cheshire County
 | state                = New Hampshire
 | seal                 = CheshireCountyNHseal.png
 | founded date         = 
 | founded year         = 1769
 | seat wl              = Keene
 | largest city wl      = Keene
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 728.9
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 706.7
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 22.2
 | area percentage      = 3.1
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 76458 {{decrease}}
 | pop_est_as_of        = 
 | population_est       = 
 | density_sq_mi        = 108.2
 | web                  = co.cheshire.nh.us
 | ex image             = Cheshire County Courthouse Keene 5.JPG
 | ex image cap         = Cheshire County Courthouse in Keene
 | district             = 2nd
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | named for            = [[Cheshire]], England}}

'''Cheshire County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the southwestern corner of the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Hampshire]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 76,458.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Cheshire County, New Hampshire|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US33005|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 21, 2021}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is the city of [[Keene, New Hampshire|Keene]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503072804/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 3, 2015 }}</ref> Cheshire was one of the five original counties of New Hampshire, and is named for the county of [[Cheshire]] in [[England]]. It was organized in 1771 at Keene. [[Sullivan County, New Hampshire|Sullivan County]] was created from the northern portion of Cheshire County in 1827. Cheshire County comprises the Keene, NH [[micropolitan statistical area]].

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has an area of {{convert|729|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|707|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|22|sqmi}} (3.1%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_33.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227204852/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_33.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 27, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 27, 2014 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files }}</ref> The highest point in Cheshire County is [[Mount Monadnock]], in the northwestern part of [[Jaffrey, New Hampshire|Jaffrey]], at {{convert|3165|ft}}.

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Sullivan County, New Hampshire|Sullivan County]] (north)
* [[Hillsborough County, New Hampshire|Hillsborough County]] (east)
* [[Worcester County, Massachusetts]] (southeast)
* [[Franklin County, Massachusetts]] (southwest)
* [[Windham County, Vermont]] (west)

===Geographical landmarks===
* [[Mount Monadnock]]
* [[Pisgah State Park]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 28753
|1800= 38825
|1810= 40988
|1820= 45376
|1830= 27016
|1840= 26429
|1850= 30144
|1860= 27434
|1870= 27265
|1880= 28734
|1890= 29579
|1900= 31321
|1910= 30659
|1920= 30975
|1930= 33685
|1940= 34953
|1950= 38811
|1960= 43342
|1970= 52364
|1980= 62116
|1990= 70121
|2000= 73825
|2010= 77117
|2020= 76458
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 27, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=December 27, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nh190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 27, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 27, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2018<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/33/33005.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805235634/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/33/33005.html|archive-date=August 5, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 73,825 people, 28,299 households, and 18,790 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|104|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 31,876 housing units at an average density of {{convert|45|/mi2|/km2}}. The county's racial makeup was 97.75% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.37% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.31% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.47% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.18% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 16.2% were of [[English people|English]], 13.1% [[French people|French]], 12.7% [[Irish people|Irish]], 9.3% [[American ancestry|American]], 8.7% [[French Canadian]], 6.7% [[Italian people|Italian]] and 6.5% [[German people|German]] ancestry. 95.5% spoke [[English language|English]], 1.4% [[French language|French]] and 1.2% [[Spanish language|Spanish]] as their first language.

There were 28,299 households, of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.50% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.60% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.96.

23.30% of the county's population were under the age of 18, 11.70% were from 18 to 24, 27.00% were from 25 to 44, 24.30% were from 45 to 64, and 13.70% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The county's median household income was $42,382, and the median family income was $51,043. Males had a median income of $33,821 versus $25,328 for females. The county's [[per capita income]] was $20,685. About 4.40% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.50% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 77,117&nbsp;people, 30,204&nbsp;households, and 19,284&nbsp;families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US33005
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=January 12, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213013333/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US33005
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|109.1|PD/sqmi}}. There were 34,773 housing units at an average density of {{convert|49.2|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US33005
  |access-date=January 12, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213184107/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US33005
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The county's racial makeup was 96.3% white, 1.2% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 20.7% were [[English people|English]], 19.1% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 12.0% were [[Germans|German]], 8.8% were [[French Canadian]], 8.7% were [[Italians|Italian]], 5.0% were [[Scottish people|Scottish]], and 4.7% were [[American ancestry|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US33005
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 12, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213020714/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US33005
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 30,204&nbsp;households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.2% were non-families, and 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 40.7 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The county's median household income was $53,828 and the median family income was $65,936. Males had a median income of $46,014 versus $35,864 for females. The county's per capita income was $27,045. About 6.0% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US33005
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 12, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213033057/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US33005
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Politics and government==
{{PresHead|place=Cheshire County, New Hampshire|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 11, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|20,083|24,579|727|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|17,898|25,522|950|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|16,876|22,064|2,955|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|15,156|25,380|824|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|15,205|26,971|647|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|16,463|24,438|446|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|13,793|17,382|2,220|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|10,252|16,159|3,290|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|11,037|15,037|6,383|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|15,002|12,339|171|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|15,851|8,990|100|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|13,242|7,835|4,390|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|12,554|10,388|363|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|13,390|9,157|156|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|10,702|9,135|495|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|5,958|13,626|0|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|11,594|8,668|0|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|12,585|5,574|11|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|11,897|6,710|0|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|9,043|6,337|126|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|8,334|7,098|2|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|8,302|6,916|0|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|8,052|6,322|200|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|7,904|5,662|126|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|8,673|5,025|58|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|7,008|2,720|428|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|6,644|3,374|74|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|3,337|2,779|128|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1912|Republican|2,765|2,114|1,442|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|4,160|1,917|349|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|4,364|2,002|184|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|4,435|2,120|91|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|4,818|1,272|283|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1892|Republican|4,024|2,994|124|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|4,118|3,165|134|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1884|Republican|3,888|2,981|286|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1880|Republican|4,340|2,979|86|New Hampshire}}
{{PresRow|1876|Republican|4,162|2,984|6|New Hampshire}}
|}

===County Commission===
The executive power of Cheshire County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county.
{| class=wikitable
|- valign=bottom
! District
! Commissioner
! Hometown
! Party
|-
| 1
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | John Wozmak (chair)
| [[Walpole, New Hampshire|Walpole]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|-
| 2
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Terry Clark (Clerk)
| [[Keene, New Hampshire|Keene]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|-
| 3
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Robert Englund (Vice Chair)
| [[Stoddard, New Hampshire|Stoddard]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|}

In addition to the County Commission, there are five directly elected officials: they include County Attorney, Register of Deeds, County Sheriff, Register of Probate, and County Treasurer.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.co.cheshire.nh.us/departments/ | title=Departments }}</ref>

{| class=wikitable
|- valign=bottom
! Office
! Name
|-
| County Attorney
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Chris McLaughlin (D)
|-
| Register of Deeds
|  {{party shading/Democratic}}| Anna Tilton (D)
|-
| County Sheriff
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Eli Rivera (D)
|-
| Register of Probate
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Jeremy LaPlante (D)
|-
| County Treasurer
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Charles Weed (D)
|} <ref>{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2020 |title=General Election Winners - 11/03/2020 |url= https://sos.nh.gov/media/l4odlvyb/general-election-winners.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525000223/https://sos.nh.gov/media/l4odlvyb/general-election-winners.pdf |archive-date=May 25, 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=December 8, 2020 |website=New Hampshire Secretary of State's Office}}</ref>

===Legislative branch===
The legislative branch of Cheshire County is made up of all of the members of the [[New Hampshire House of Representatives]] from the county. In total, there are 22 members from 18 different districts. After the 2022 elections, the party distribution and representatives were as follows.
{| class=wikitable
|- valign=bottom
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Affiliation
! Members
! Voting share
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]
| align=center | 16
| align=center | 72.7%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]
| align=center | 6
| align=center | 27.3%
|-
! colspan=2 | Total
! 23
! 100%
|}

==Communities==

===City===
* [[Keene, New Hampshire|Keene]] (county seat)

===Towns===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Alstead, New Hampshire|Alstead]]
* [[Chesterfield, New Hampshire|Chesterfield]]
* [[Dublin, New Hampshire|Dublin]]
* [[Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire|Fitzwilliam]]
* [[Gilsum, New Hampshire|Gilsum]]
* [[Harrisville, New Hampshire|Harrisville]]
* [[Hinsdale, New Hampshire|Hinsdale]]
* [[Jaffrey, New Hampshire|Jaffrey]]
* [[Marlborough, New Hampshire|Marlborough]]
* [[Marlow, New Hampshire|Marlow]]
* [[Nelson, New Hampshire|Nelson]]
* [[Richmond, New Hampshire|Richmond]]
* [[Rindge, New Hampshire|Rindge]]
* [[Roxbury, New Hampshire|Roxbury]]
* [[Stoddard, New Hampshire|Stoddard]]
* [[Sullivan, New Hampshire|Sullivan]]
* [[Surry, New Hampshire|Surry]]
* [[Swanzey, New Hampshire|Swanzey]]
* [[Troy, New Hampshire|Troy]]
* [[Walpole, New Hampshire|Walpole]]
* [[Westmoreland, New Hampshire|Westmoreland]]
* [[Winchester, New Hampshire|Winchester]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
{{div col}}
* [[Hinsdale (CDP), New Hampshire|Hinsdale]]
* [[Jaffrey (CDP), New Hampshire|Jaffrey]]
* [[Marlborough (CDP), New Hampshire|Marlborough]]
* [[North Walpole, New Hampshire|North Walpole]]
* [[Troy (CDP), New Hampshire|Troy]]
* [[Walpole (CDP), New Hampshire|Walpole]]
* [[West Swanzey, New Hampshire|West Swanzey]]
* [[Winchester (CDP), New Hampshire|Winchester]]
{{div col end}}

===Villages===
{{div col}}
* [[Ashuelot, New Hampshire|Ashuelot]]
* [[Chesham, New Hampshire|Chesham]]
* [[Drewsville, New Hampshire|Drewsville]]
* [[East Swanzey, New Hampshire|East Swanzey]]
* [[Jaffrey, New Hampshire|Jaffrey Center]]
* [[Munsonville, New Hampshire|Munsonville]]
* [[Poocham, New Hampshire|Poocham]]
* [[Spofford, New Hampshire|Spofford]]
* [[West Chesterfield, New Hampshire|West Chesterfield]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Cheshire County, New Hampshire]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Attached KML}}
* [http://co.cheshire.nh.us/ Official Cheshire County web site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040605163053/http://ceinfo.unh.edu/Counties/Cheshire.htm Cheshire information pages at the University of New Hampshire]
* [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NH/Cheshire/districts.html National Register of Historic Places listing for Cheshire County]
* [http://www.pumpkinfestival.org/ Keene Pumpkin Festival]
* [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1BJveI2fvmZw1_o43_-eNCCAgHBI&usp=sharing Map of fire stations in Cheshire County]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Cheshire County, New Hampshire
|North     = [[Sullivan County, New Hampshire|Sullivan County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Hillsborough County, New Hampshire|Hillsborough County]]
|Southeast = [[Worcester County, Massachusetts]]
|South     =
|Southwest = [[Franklin County, Massachusetts]]
|West      = [[Windham County, Vermont]]
|Northwest =
}}

{{Cheshire County, New Hampshire}}
{{New Hampshire}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|42.92|-72.25|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NH_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Cheshire County, New Hampshire| ]]
[[Category:1769 establishments in New Hampshire]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1769]]