Belknap County, New Hampshire
According to countryaah, Belknap County is located in the heart of New Hampshire, and borders on five other counties. The county is bordered to the north by Carroll County, to the east by Strafford County, to the south by Merrimack County, and to the west by Grafton and Sullivan Counties. Belknap County covers an area of 488 square miles and is home to a population of 61,821 people as of 2020.
The county seat of Belknap County is Laconia and it is also home to the largest city in the county; Gilford. Other cities in Belknap include Alton, Center Harbor, Meredith, Tilton, Sanbornton and Barnstead. The county has many small towns such as Ashland, Bristol, Gilmanton Iron Works and New Hampton that add to its rural character.
The landscape of Belknap County features rolling hills that are dotted with natural lakes such as Lake Winnipesaukee which is one of the most popular attractions in New Hampshire. The lake has a shoreline that stretches over 110 miles and includes several islands including Bear Island which offers camping sites for visitors. Other popular lakes in Belknap include Lake Winnisquam which offers great fishing opportunities; Squam Lake which is home to some beautiful beaches; and Silver Lake which provides excellent swimming spots for visitors during summer months.
Belknap also has several mountains including Mount Major which stands at 2175 feet above sea level; Mount Kearsarge at 2649 feet; Mount Cardigan at 3155 feet; and Mount Sunapee at 2483 feet above sea level. These mountains provide excellent opportunities for hiking trails with stunning views from their peaks!
Overall, Belknap County provides a scenic landscape full of natural beauty from its rolling hills dotted with lakes all surrounded by majestic mountains! It’s a great place for outdoor activities such as camping, fishing or skiing while also offering plenty of cultural activities such as shopping or dining out in one of its many towns or cities!
Demographics of Belknap County, New Hampshire
Belknap County, New Hampshire is home to a population of 61,821 people as of 2020. The county has a median age of 44.3 years with 35.5% of the population being under the age of 18 and 18.7% being 65 or older. The gender makeup is almost equal with 49.7% female and 50.3% male population.
The racial demographics of Belknap County are predominantly white, with 94.1% of the population identifying as such, followed by Hispanic or Latino at 1%, Asian at 1%, African American at less than 1%, and other ethnicities making up the remaining 3%.
In terms of educational attainment, 81.9 % of residents 25 and over have obtained a high school diploma or higher, while 24% have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median household income in Belknap County is $62,252, with 16.2% living below the poverty line.
Belknap County has an economy that is primarily based on tourism and seasonal industries such as skiing and fishing thanks to its many natural attractions like Lake Winnipesaukee and Mount Major which draw in visitors from all over the region throughout the year! Additionally, manufacturing is also an important industry in Belknap County providing jobs for many local residents through companies like BAE Systems in Laconia who specialize in defense products for both commercial and military customers!
Overall, Belknap County provides a diverse landscape full of natural beauty from its rolling hills dotted with lakes all surrounded by majestic mountains! It is home to an equally diverse population that enjoys many opportunities for employment while also taking advantage of its outdoor activities such as camping, fishing or skiing!
Places of Interest in Belknap County, New Hampshire
Belknap County, New Hampshire is home to a variety of places of interest that draw tourists and locals alike throughout the year. One of the most popular attractions is Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in New Hampshire, which offers plenty of opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating and more. The nearby town of Wolfeboro is also a popular destination with its charming shops and restaurants.
Mount Major is another popular destination in Belknap County and offers beautiful views from its summit as well as plenty of trails for hiking or biking. The nearby town of Alton Bay also has plenty to offer with its beaches, marinas, and other outdoor activities like kayaking or paddleboarding.
The city of Laconia is another popular destination in Belknap County with its many shops and restaurants as well as attractions like Funspot Family Entertainment Center which features over 250 arcade games and mini golf courses! The nearby Weirs Beach also provides plenty of fun with its boardwalk full of arcades, rides, concessions stands and more!
For those looking for a more cultural experience, Belknap County has plenty to offer with museums such as the Winnipesaukee Museum in Laconia which features exhibits on local history or the New Hampshire Boat Museum located in Wolfeboro which showcases various boats from all over the world! Additionally there are plenty of art galleries throughout the county featuring local artists’ work or theaters offering plays or concerts throughout the year.
Overall, Belknap County provides something for everyone whether it be outdoor activities such as camping, fishing or skiing while also offering plenty of cultural activities such as shopping or dining out in one of its many towns or cities!
Communities in Belknap County, New Hampshire
Belknap County, New Hampshire is home to a variety of communities that offer something for everyone. The largest city in the county is Laconia which features plenty of shopping and dining options as well as attractions like Funspot Family Entertainment Center and the Winnipesaukee Museum. Other cities like Gilford, Alton, and Meredith also have plenty to offer with their own unique attractions like the Gilford Town Beach or the Alton Bay Town Dock.
The towns in Belknap County are also filled with plenty of activities and attractions. Wolfeboro is one of the oldest towns in America and offers plenty of charm with its shops, restaurants, and nearby Lake Winnipesaukee. The nearby town of Moultonborough is a great spot for outdoor activities such as camping or fishing at Castle in the Clouds or kayaking on Lake Winnisquam.
The village of Center Harbor has a quaint downtown area featuring shops, restaurants and galleries while also providing easy access to nearby Squam Lake which offers opportunities for swimming or boating. The village of Sanbornton also has plenty to offer with its historic buildings such as Sanbornton Bridge which was built in 1835!
Overall, Belknap County has plenty to offer its residents whether it be big cities like Laconia or small villages like Sanbornton each offering their own unique attractions! From outdoor activities such as hiking or skiing to cultural experiences such as shopping or dining out there’s something for everyone throughout Belknap County!
Notable People of Belknap County, New Hampshire
Belknap County, New Hampshire has produced a number of notable people who have achieved success in various fields. One of the most prominent is former Governor and Senator Judd Gregg who served as Governor from 1989-1993 and then as Senator from 1993-2011. He was also the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was heavily involved in budget negotiations during his time in Congress.
The author Dan Brown is another famous person from Belknap County who is best known for his novel The Da Vinci Code which has been adapted into a feature film. Brown also wrote Angels & Demons, The Lost Symbol, Inferno, and Origin which are all best-sellers.
Actor Dean Cain is also from Belknap County and is best known for his role as Superman on the TV show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. He has since gone on to appear in a number of films and TV shows including Las Vegas, Hit The Floor, Supergirl, and God’s Not Dead 2.
Belknap County is also home to successful businessmen like William “Bill” Binnie who founded Binnie Media which owns several radio stations throughout New England as well as television stations throughout New Hampshire. Binnie was also the Republican nominee for US Senate in 2010 but lost to current Senator Jeanne Shaheen in the general election.
In addition to these well-known individuals there are many other successful people who hail from Belknap County such as Olympic gold medalist Hannah Kearney or former NFL player Aaron Francisco among others! Overall, Belknap County has produced many successful people over the years who have achieved success in various fields ranging from politics to business to entertainment!
Bordering States of New Hampshire
According to abbreviationfinder, New Hampshire is bordered by five states: Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Quebec, and New York. The border between New Hampshire and Massachusetts measures approximately 130 miles in total length as it stretches from the southeastern corner of New Hampshire near Salisbury up to its northwesternmost point near Canaan. Additionally, New Hampshire shares a lengthy border with Vermont that measures about 250 miles in total length. It extends from the southwesternmost point near Westminster up to its northeasternmost point near Pittsburg.
To the north, New Hampshire has a relatively short border with Maine that measures only 90 miles in total length as it runs along Maine’s western edge from Nashua up to its northwesternmost point near Gilead. Additionally, New Hampshire also has a border with Quebec that measures about 70 miles in length as it extends from Pittsburg on the Connecticut River up to its northwestern tip near Norton.
To the west, New Hampshire has borders with both New York and Massachusetts that measure about 30 miles each in total length as they run along New York’s southwestern edge and Massachusetts’ northeastern edge from Colebrook up to their northwesternmost points near Troy and Ashfield respectively. Finally, New Hampshire also has a small border with Vermont that measure only 5 miles in total length as it extends from Hinsdale on the Connecticut River up to its northwesternmost point near Somerset on the Missisquoi River Valley.