Grafton, New Hampshire

Grafton is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,385 at the 2020 census. a relative of colonial governor Benning Wentworth. Grafton was incorporated in 1778.

Historically, Grafton's economic base consisted of subsistence farming, small-scale industry, and mining. Several mica mines and granite quarries once dotted the town's landscape, most notably Ruggles Mine.

File:United Mica Company Mill, Grafton Center.jpg|The United Mica Company operated this mill between 1909 and 1916. Image

File:Barney's Store, Grafton Village.jpg|In continuous operation since the 1840s, this store is now known as the Grafton Country Store. Image .

File:Grafton Center.jpg|Grafton Center

</gallery>

Geography

The town is in western New Hampshire, on the southern edge of Grafton County. It is bordered to the south by Sullivan County and to the southeast by Merrimack County. U.S. Route 4 is the main road through the town, leading southeast to Andover and Concord and northwest to Canaan and Lebanon. New Hampshire Route 4A crosses the southwest corner of the town.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which are land and are water, comprising 2.20% of the town. The highest point in Grafton is the summit of Melvin Mountain, at above sea level in the northeastern part of town. Grafton Pond is in the western part of town.

Climate

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,340 people, 564 households, and 372 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 839 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 96.7% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% some other race, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.

There were 564 households, out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were headed by married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% consisted of someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38, and the average family size was 2.84. As of 2019, the town of Grafton itself has the 16th highest property tax rate in the state of New Hampshire.

Education

Grafton is in the Mascoma Valley Regional School District.

Free Town Project

In 2004, Grafton became the focus for libertarians as part of the Free Town Project (a single-town version of the Free State Project). One of the goals was to advocate for legal changes. Grafton's appeal as a favorable destination was due to its absence of zoning laws and a then-low property tax rate.

During this time, the town's population grew by about 200 people (about 20%); nearly all of the newcomers were men. Other issues were inconsistent basic public services, such as trash collection.

Notable people

Monroe Heath (1827–1894), mayor of Chicago from 1876 to 1879
Myra Belle Martin (1861–1936), teacher, writer, financier in late 19th century and early 20th century
Cyrus A. Sulloway (1839–1917), congressman