Center Harbor, New Hampshire
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Center Harbor is a town located in Belknap County, New Hampshire. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 996, a number which multiplies severalfold during the summer months. Center Harbor separated from the town of New Hampton, and was first incorporated in 1797.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 42.8 km² (16.5 mi²). 34.7 km² (13.4 mi²) of it is land and 8.1 km² (3.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 18.90% water. It has several miles of shoreline on Squam Lake and another mile on Lake Winnipesaukee, where its main "harbor" lies. The town center sits eccentrically near Center Harbor's northeast border, where it rises gently from the shore at the junction of NH Routes 25 and 25B.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 996 people, 414 households, and 293 families residing in the town. The population density is 28.7/km² (74.4/mi²). There are 653 housing units at an average density of 18.8/km² (48.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.80% White, 1.00% Hispanic or Latino and 0.80% Asian.
There are 414 households out of which 28.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% are married couples living together, 9.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% are non-families. 22.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 2.75.
In the town the population is spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 45 years. For every 100 females there are 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 101.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $51,806, and the median income for a family is $55,938. Males have a median income of $35,526 versus $24,231 for females. The per capita income for the town is $25,627. 6.7% of the population and 4.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.4% of those under the age of 18 and 5.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Center Harbor today
Aside from small dairy and truck farms, the town's main industry is the tourist trade. Restaurants and motels dot Center Harbor's shorelines, and there is a busy beach and playground on the Winnipesaukee shore in the town's center which is shared with residents of the nearby town of Moultonborough. Center Harbor is also the winter home of the M/S Mount Washington, the largest boat on Lake Winnipesaukee. Center Harbor's economy is booming, as the venerable E.M Heath store grocery store has tripled its size, and new businesses, such as Wild Meadow canoe and kayak outfitter, Yikes art gallery, and Keepsakes Quilters, have opened and thrived. The town is also home to several upscale restaurants including Canoe and the Coe House, housed in one of the most famous buildings in town.
Center Harbor hosts a busy Fourth of July celebration, featuring a road race (including children's race around the town library), parade, band concert, and fireworks over the lake. The town is also a favorite stop for snowmobile enthusiasts in the winter.
Center Harbor's one-room schoolhouse closed in the 1970s, and students now attend Inter-Lakes Elementary and Inter-Lakes Junior-Senior High in Meredith, along with students from Meredith and Sandwich.