Town of Alton Board of Selectmen PO Box 659 Alton, NH 03809
Telephone:
(603)875-2161
Fax:
(603) 875-3894
E-mail:
alton@worldpath.net
Web Site:
not available
City/Town Office Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
County:
Belknap
Labor Market Area:
Laconia
Planning Commission:
Lakes Region
Tourism Region:
Lakes
Demographics, 2000 Census:From 1990 to 2000, Alton’s population grew by 1,216 to 4,502, a 37.0 percent increase. The median age is 41.4, with 23.8 percent of the population under the age of 18 and 15.4 percent age 65 and older. The total number of households is 1,825, with an average size of 2.5 persons. Of those, 1,295 are family households, with an average size of 2.9 persons. As of April 1, 2000, there were 3,522 total housing units.
Population density, 2002:72.3 persons per square mile of land area. Alton contains 63.9 square miles of land area and 19.3 square miles of inland water area.
Origin:Originally called New Durham Gore, because of Mount Major's rocky terrain, the town was settled by a group from Roxbury, Massachusetts. The name Roxbury had already been used, so the town was named for the Alton family. The town fronts Alton Bay, the southeastern point of Lake Winnipesaukee, and its 19.3 square miles of inland water area is the largest of any town in New Hampshire.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
City/Town Office Hours:
M-F 8:30-4:30 pm
Type of Government
Selectmen
Annual Budget (2001)
$4,297,509
Planning Board
Elected
Industrial Plans Reviewed By
Planning Board
Zoning Ordinance
1970/02
Master Plan
2002
Capitol Improvement Plan
Yes
Public Library
Gilman
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department
Full-time
Fire Department
Volunteer
Town Fire Insurance Rating
6/9
Emergency Medical Service
Commercial & Volunteer
Nearest Hospital(s):
Huggins Hospital, Wolfeboro
Distance:13 miles
Staffed Beds:49
PROPERTY TAXES
2002 Total Tax Rate
$15.66
2002 Equalization Ratio
81.0
2002 Full Value Tax Rate
$12.67
2002 Property Valuation:
Residential
93.6%
Commercial
5.6%
Other
0.8%
UTILITIES
Electric Supplier
PSNH; NH Elec.; Wolfeboro Elec.
Natural Gas Supplier
None
Water Supplier
Alton Water Works
Sanitation
Private septic
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant
No
Curbside Trash Pickup
Private
Mandatory Recycling Program
Yes
Telephone Company
Verizon; Union
Cellular Telephone Access
Yes
Cable Television Access
Yes
High Speed Cable Internet Service
Business Cable Internet Service
unknown
Residential Cable Internet Service
unknown
HOUSING
2001 Total Housing Units
3,658
2001 Single-Family Units
3,257
Building Permits Issued
57
2001 Multi-Family Units
206
Building Permits Issued
0
2001 Manufactured Housing Units
195
2000 Census Housing Costs
Median Value, Owner-Occupied Housing
$127,700
Median Gross Rent (monthly)
$621
DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population
Community
County
2001
4,627
57,910
2000
4,502
57,910
1990
3,286
49,216
1980
2,440
49,216
1970
1,647
32,367
2000 Census Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
2,238
Female
2,264
Population by Age Group
Under age 5
273
Age 5 to 19
887
Age 20 to 34
630
Age 35 to 54
1,472
Age 55 to 64
545
Age 65 and over
695
Median Age
41.4
Total Households
1,825
Ave. Size
2.5 persons
Total Families
1,295
Ave. Size
2.9 persons
Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
87.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher
21.5%
ANNUAL INCOME, 1999
Per capita income
$25,940
Median 4-person family income
$46,467
Median household income
$43,451
Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
Male
$37,585
Female
$29,375
Families below the poverty level
5.4%
TRANSPORTATION
Road Access
Federal Routes
State Routes
11, 28
Nearest Interstate, Exit
I-93, Exit 20
Distance
21 miles
Railroad
No
Public Transportation
No
Nearest Airport
Laconia
Runway
5,286 feet
Lighted?
Yes
Navigational Aids?
Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport
Manchester
Distance
48 miles
DISTANCE TO
Manchester, NH
41 miles
Portland, ME
88 miles
Boston, MA
91 miles
New York City, NY
299 miles
Montreal, Quebec
255 miles
EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Primary & Secondary
Elementary
Middle/Junior High
High School
Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
1
1
Grade Levels
P-8
9-12
Total Enrollment
528
208
If no schools, district students attend:
Distance:
Regional Career Technology Center(s):Kingswood Regional High School
Region:09
NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2003:
Total Facilities:1
Total Capacity:40
Nearest Community/Technical College:Laconia
Nearest Colleges or Universities:University of NH; McIntosh
LARGEST EMPLOYERS
PRODUCT/SERVICE
EMPLOYEES
ESTABLISHED
Alton School Department
Education
116
Town of Alton
Municipal services
110
McDonald's
Fast food restaurant
50
1995
Dunkin' Donuts
Donut shop
20
1996
Water Industries
Commercial pumping systems
20
1963
Hillsgrove Machine
Custom machine shop
9
1979
Alton Service Center
Car repairs
4
1996
RF Plante Company
Custom tooling, machinery
3
1982
LABOR FORCE
Annual Average
1992
2002
Civilian Labor Force
1,688
1,906
Employed
1,567
1,799
Unemployed
121
107
Unemployment Rate
7.2%
5.6%
COMMUTING TO WORK
(US Census)
Workers 16 years and over
Drove alone, car/truck/van
80.2%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
14.4%
Public transportation
0.0%
Walked
1.2%
Other Means
0.3%
Worked at home
3.9%
Mean Travel Time to Work
31.1 minutes
EMPLOYMENT & WAGES
2001
2002
Goods Producing
Average Employment
58
66
Average Weekly Wage
$639
$520
Service Providing
Average Employment
547
545
Average Weekly Wage
$319
$342
Total Private Industry
Average Employment
605
611
Average Weekly Wage
$350
$361
Government
Average Employment
189
190
Average Weekly Wage
$472
$541
Total, Private plus Government
Average Employment
793
800
Average Weekly Wage
$379
$404
n = indicates that the data does not meet disclosure standards
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
X
Municipal Parks
YMCA/YWCA
Boys Club/Girls Club
Golf Courses
Swimming: Indoor Facility
X
Swimming: Outdoor Facility
Tennis Courts: Indoor Faclity
X
Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility
Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility
Bowling Facilities
Museums
Cinemas
Performing Arts Facilities
X
Tourists Attractions
X
Youth Organizations (i.e., Scouts, 4-H)
X
Youth Sports: Baseball
X
Youth Sports: Soccer
Youth Sports: Football
X
Youth Sports: Basketball
Youth Sports: Hockey
X
Campgrounds
X
Fishing/Hunting
X
Boating/Marinas
X
Snowmobile Trails
Bicycle Trails
X
Cross Country Skiing
Nearest Ski Area(s): Gunstock
Other: Boat launch; town docks
Copyright 2003 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 05/22/03
All information regarding the communities is from sources deemed reliable and is submitted subject to errors, omissions, modifications, and withdrawals without notice. No warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy of the information contained herein. Specific questions regarding individual cities and towns should be directed to the community contact.
