Cheshire County is a county located in the state of New Hampshire. As of 2000, the population is 73,825. Its county seat is Keene⁶.

Cheshire was one of the five original counties identified for New Hampshire in 1769, and is named for Cheshire in England. It was organized in 1771 at Keene.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,888 km² (729 mi²). 1,832 km² (707 mi²) of it is land and 56 km² (22 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.98% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 73,825 people, 28,299 households, and 18,790 families residing in the county. The population density is 40/km² (104/mi²). There are 31,876 housing units at an average density of 17/km² (45/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 97.75% White, 0.37% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 28,299 households out of which 30.60% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.50% are married couples living together, 9.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.60% are non-families. 25.50% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.60% 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 2.96.

In the county the population is spread out with 23.30% under the age of 18, 11.70% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $42,382, and the median income for a family is $51,043. Males have a median income of $33,821 versus $25,328 for females. The per capita income for the county is $20,685. 8.00% of the population and 4.40% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.50% of those under the age of 18 and 6.30% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• Alstead
• Chesterfield
• Dublin
• Fitzwilliam
• Gilsum
• Harrisville
• Hinsdale
• Jaffrey
• Keene
• Marlborough
• Marlow
• Nelson
• Richmond
• Rindge
• Roxbury
• Stoddard
• Sullivan
• Surry
• Swanzey
• Troy
• Walpole
• West Swanzey
• Westmoreland
• Winchester

External links

• Official Cheshire County web site
• Cheshire information pages at the University of New Hampshire
• National Register of Historic Places listing for Cheshire Coounty