34-545: Paugus Bay is a 1,227-acre (4.97 km) water body located in Belknap County in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire , United States, in the city of Laconia . A short channel at its north end connects it with Lake Winnipesaukee in the village of Weirs Beach , and a dam on its southern end separates it from Opechee Bay in the village of Lakeport . The bay is named after Chief Paugus , who fought in
68-492: A 95-acre (38 ha) farm which covered most of what is now Meredith Village. After his marriage in 1809, he gradually purchased land on both sides of the Measly Pond Brook, related water rights, and several mills. From 1816 to 1818, Swasey constructed a 600-foot (180 m) rock-lined canal that redirected the flow from Lake Waukewan, and created a 30-foot (9.1 m) drop at a single rock-lined sluiceway at what
102-551: A family was $ 64,875. Males had a median income of $ 46,378 versus $ 34,690 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 28,517. About 5.2% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over. Belknap County has become the most Republican county in New Hampshire : the Republican Party is the majority political party in
136-556: A member of Parliament who opposed taxation on the colonies . Farmers grew corn , wheat, rye and potatoes, but the area became noted for apple orchards. The water rights to the natural Measly Pond Brook (a.k.a. Corliss Brook) was purchased by John Jenness in 1795, and used to power a gristmill and sawmill in Meredith Village, though it was not the best local waterpower source. The brook drained Lake Waukewan into Lake Winnipesauke. In 1800, John Bond Swasey inherited
170-654: A popular ski resort . Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion is a concert venue in Gilford which features major national touring music acts, while the Laconia Motorcycle Week attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every June. Funspot Family Fun Center , located in Weirs Beach , is the largest video game arcade in the world. Belknap County was organized in 1840 by removing parts of northeastern Merrimack County and northwestern Strafford County . It
204-531: A teacher of surveying and navigation who laid out much of the land surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee. In 1748, it was one of the first towns to have a charter granted by the Masonian Proprietors . Many grantees were from Salem, Massachusetts , so Palmer's Town was renamed "New Salem". It was settled in 1766 by Jacob Eaton and Colonel Ebenezer Smith, then regranted in 1768 by Governor John Wentworth and named after Sir William Meredith, 3rd Baronet ,
238-474: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Belknap County, New Hampshire Belknap County ( / ˈ b ɛ l n æ p / ) is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire . As of the 2020 census , the population was 63,705. The county seat is Laconia . It is located in New Hampshire's Lakes Region , slightly southeast of the state's geographic center. Belknap County comprises
272-515: Is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire , United States. The population was 6,662 at the 2020 census . Meredith is situated in the state's Lakes Region and serves as a major resort town . Meredith Village, the commercial center of the town, lies along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee , and several other large lakes lie partially or completely within the town borders. It is home to the Stonedam Island Natural Area and
306-405: Is crossed by U.S. Route 3 , New Hampshire Route 25 , New Hampshire Route 104 , and New Hampshire Route 106 . It is bordered by the towns of Sanbornton to the southwest, New Hampton to the west, Center Harbor to the north, Moultonborough to the northeast across Lake Winnipesaukee, Gilford to the southeast, and Laconia to the south. Like many other towns of the Lakes Region , Meredith
340-464: Is dominated by several large bodies of water. About half of the town's southeastern boundary with its neighbor Laconia is occupied by Lake Winnisquam , while the northern half of town lies within a peninsula, Meredith Neck, that separates Meredith Bay from the main body of Lake Winnipesaukee, giving Meredith an extensive coastline. Bear Island , the second largest on Winnipesaukee, and Stonedam Island , along with dozens of smaller islands are also part of
374-693: Is in the 2nd district, represented by Republican Bob Giuda . On the New Hampshire Executive Council , Meredith is in the 1st district, represented by Republican Joseph Kenney . In the United States House of Representatives , Meredith is in New Hampshire's 1st congressional district , represented by Democrat Chris Pappas . Meredith's Inter-Lakes Middle High School is home to the Inter-Lakes Community Auditorium, which plays host to
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#1732780916820408-576: Is made up of all of the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. In total, there are 18 members from nine different districts. After the 2022 elections, the party distribution and representatives were as follows. There are ten towns and one city in Belknap County. 43°31′N 71°25′W / 43.52°N 71.42°W / 43.52; -71.42 Meredith, New Hampshire Meredith
442-586: Is named for Dr. Jeremy Belknap , a renowned preacher, historian, and author of The History of New Hampshire . The first County Court was held within the town of Meredith , at a village known as Meredith Bridge on the Winnipesaukee River . In 1855, the town of Laconia was separated from Meredith. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 469 square miles (1,210 km ), of which 400 square miles (1,000 km ) are land and 68 square miles (180 km ) (15%) are water. It
476-575: Is now the Mill Falls Marketplace. The new, more powerful waterfall ran sawmills , gristmills , cotton mills , and in 1895, the Meredith Electric Light Company . By 1859 Meredith village had a sawmill , gristmill , shingle mill , blacksmith shop , harness-maker's shop and tannery . Situated at the outlet of Wickwas Lake , Meredith Center had a sawmill, gristmill and blacksmith shop. Connected by
510-437: Is the commercial hub of the town, lying between the northern tip of Meredith Bay (one of several large arms of Lake Winnipesaukee ) and Lake Waukewan . A second village, Meredith Center, is located near the shores of Lake Wickwas closer to the geographic center of the town. Meredith Center has much less commercial development than Meredith Village, being located near several protected state forests and wildlife areas. The town
544-425: Is the second-smallest county in New Hampshire by area. Most of the county's water area is part of Lake Winnipesaukee . As of the census of 2000, there were 56,325 people, 22,459 households, and 15,496 families living in the county. The population density was 140 inhabitants per square mile (54/km ). There were 32,121 housing units at an average density of 80 units per square mile (31/km ). The racial makeup of
578-782: The Battle of Pequawket during Dummer's War . The 19th-century construction of the dam in Lakeport raised the elevation of Paugus Bay to that of Lake Winnipesaukee. Water flowing out of Paugus Bay travels down the Winnipesaukee River to the Merrimack River . The bay is classified as a cold- and warmwater fishery, with observed species including brook trout , rainbow trout , lake trout , land-locked salmon , lake whitefish , smallmouth and largemouth bass , chain pickerel , white perch , black crappie , bluegill , and horned pout . This New Hampshire state location article
612-614: The Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad in March 1849, the town became a summer resort. Passengers also arrived from the Alton Bay depot aboard steamboats , the most famous of which was the original SS Mount Washington , launched in 1872. Meredith remains a popular tourist destination. In 1974, the Swasey family donated land to create Swasey Park on Lake Waukewan near the beginning of
646-632: The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad , and it serves as one of the ports of call for the MS ; Mount Washington . Meredith Village, where 2,527 people resided at the 2020 census, is defined as the Meredith census-designated place , and is located at the junction of U.S. Route 3 and New Hampshire Route 25 at the head of Meredith Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee. Meredith was first known as "Palmer's Town" in honor of Samuel Palmer,
680-405: The 2,941 households, 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were headed by married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. Of all households, 27.5% were made up of individuals, and 11.6% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27, and the average family size
714-592: The Laconia, NH Micropolitan Statistical Area , which in turn constitutes a portion of the Boston - Worcester - Providence , MA - RI -NH- CT Combined Statistical Area . The southwestern half of Lake Winnipesaukee lies in Belknap County, while several other major lakes such as Squam Lake and Lake Winnisquam lie partially or wholly within the county. The Belknap Mountains lie along the shore of Winnipesaukee east of Laconia and feature Mount Major , known for its numerous hiking trails and Gunstock Mountain , home of
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#1732780916820748-406: The age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.9% were non-families, and 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 44.7 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 54,929 and the median income for
782-422: The age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 3% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.91. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under
816-468: The age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.10 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 43,605, and the median income for a family was $ 50,510. Males had a median income of $ 34,741 versus $ 25,445 for females. The per capita income for
850-549: The canal. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 54.6 square miles (141.3 km ), of which 40.1 square miles (103.8 km ) are land and 14.5 square miles (37.5 km ), or 26.37%, are water. The highest point in Meredith is the summit of Leavitt Mountain, elevation 1,414 feet (431 m) above sea level , in the southwestern part of town. Meredith village
884-508: The county was $ 22,758. About 4.50% of families and 6.10% of the population were below the poverty line , including 7.60% of those under age 18 and 4.90% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 60,088 people, 24,766 households, and 16,609 families living in the county. The population density was 150.1 inhabitants per square mile (58.0/km ). There were 37,386 housing units at an average density of 93.4 per square mile (36.1/km ). The racial makeup of
918-436: The county was 96.6% white, 1.2% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.8% were English , 20.7% were Irish , 8.5% were Italian , 8.0% were German , 7.1% were French Canadian , and 6.6% were American . Of the 24,766 households, 28.5% had children under
952-550: The county was 97.61% White , 0.29% Black or African American , 0.30% Native American , 0.55% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.16% from other races , and 1.06% from two or more races. 0.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.2% were of English , 13.6% Irish , 13.3% French , 12.2% French Canadian , 8.5% American , 6.9% Italian and 5.7% German ancestry. 95.0% spoke English , 2.7% French and 1.2% Spanish as their first language. There were 22,459 households, out of which 30.4% had children under
986-852: The county, holding 15 of 18 seats in the General Court as of January 2021. Since 1888 , only three Democrats have won Belknap County: Woodrow Wilson in 1912 when the Republican Party was mortally divided between William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt ; 1964 , when Lyndon B. Johnson swept the Northeast due to Republican Barry Goldwater 's conservative views regarding the Civil Rights Movement ; and 2008 , when Barack Obama swept every county in New England bar one. In 2020, Senator Jeanne Shaheen became
1020-552: The first Democrat to win Belknap County in a Senate race in over 50 years. The executive power of Belknap County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county. 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. The legislative branch of Belknap County
1054-508: The town. Several smaller lakes lie between Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam, including Wickwas Lake and Pemigewasset Lake . Lake Waukewan forms the western edge of the Meredith Village CDP and extends into neighboring New Hampton. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is " Dfb " (Humid Continental Climate). As of the 2010 census , there were 6,241 people, 2,708 households, and 1,777 families residing in
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1088-416: The town. There were 4,728 housing units, of which 2,020, or 42.7%, were vacant. Of the vacant units, 1,710 were for seasonal or recreational use. The racial makeup of the town was 97.3% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.3% some other race, and 1.0% from two or more races. Of the population, 1.1% were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of
1122-479: Was $ 63,028, and the median income for a family was $ 80,076. Male full-time workers had a median income of $ 62,944 versus $ 42,734 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 36,510; 12.4% of the population and 8.7% of families were below the poverty line. Of the population, 22.5% under the age of 18 and 7.1% of those 65 or older were living in poverty. In the New Hampshire Senate , Meredith
1156-402: Was 2.71. In the town, 18.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.8% were from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 34.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males. For the period 2011–2015, the estimated median annual income for a household
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