Milford is a town located in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. As of the 2000 census, it had a population of 13,575.

Straddling the Souhegan River, Milford separated from neighboring Amherst in 1794. Like most towns named Milford in the United States, its name comes from the fact that it grew around a mill built on a ford on the river.

Milford first grew to fame for its granite quarries, which produced a stone that was used, among other things, to make the pillars for the Treasury building in Washington, D.C. - pillars that can still be seen on the American $10 bill. Its nickname is still The Granite Town, although only one small quarry is in operation as of 2004. Like many New England riverside towns, it developed several thriving textile mills in the 19th century.

Both those industries departed by World War II, but Milford remains the commercial and retail center for surrounding towns, known as the Souhegan Valley. Major employers included the casting company Hitchiner Manufacturing and manufacturer Hendrix Wire and Cable .

Like many New England towns, Milford was a stop on the underground railroad for escaped slaves.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 65.5 km² (25.3 mi²). 65.3 km² (25.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.24% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 13,535 people, 5,201 households, and 3,547 families residing in the town. The population density is 207.1/km² (536.5/mi²). There are 5,316 housing units at an average density of 81.4/km² (210.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.76% White, 0.90% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 1.17% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 5,201 households out of which 37.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% are married couples living together, 9.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% are non-families. 25.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.58 and the average family size is 3.11.

In the town the population is spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 34.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $52,343, and the median income for a family is $61,682. Males have a median income of $42,244 versus $28,220 for females. The per capita income for the town is $24,425. 5.2% of the population and 3.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.0% of those under the age of 18 and 8.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

See also: Milford (CDP), New Hampshire

External link

• Official town Web site
• Milford Public Library
• NH State Page for Milford, NH