Cheshire County, New Hampshire

Cheshire County is a county in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2020 census, the population was 76,458. Its county seat is the city of Keene. Cheshire was one of the five original counties of New Hampshire, and is named for the county of Cheshire in England. It was organized in 1771 at Keene. Sullivan County was created from the northern portion of Cheshire County in 1827.

Cheshire County comprises the Keene, NH micropolitan statistical area.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 729 sqmi, of which 707 sqmi is land and 22 sqmi (3.1%) is water. The highest point in Cheshire County is Mount Monadnock, in the northwestern part of Jaffrey, at 3165 ft.

Adjacent counties

 * Sullivan County (north)
 * Hillsborough County (east)
 * Worcester County, Massachusetts (southeast)
 * Franklin County, Massachusetts (southwest)
 * Windham County, Vermont (west)

Geographical landmarks

 * Mount Monadnock
 * Pisgah State Park

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 73,825 people, 28,299 households, and 18,790 families living in the county. The population density was 104 /mi2. There were 31,876 housing units at an average density of 45 /mi2. The county's racial makeup was 97.75% White, 0.37% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.2% were of English, 13.1% French, 12.7% Irish, 9.3% American, 8.7% French Canadian, 6.7% Italian and 6.5% German ancestry. 95.5% spoke English, 1.4% French and 1.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 28,299 households, of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.50% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.60% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.96.

23.30% of the county's population were under the age of 18, 11.70% were from 18 to 24, 27.00% were from 25 to 44, 24.30% were from 45 to 64, and 13.70% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The county's median household income was $42,382, and the median family income was $51,043. Males had a median income of $33,821 versus $25,328 for females. The county's per capita income was $20,685. About 4.40% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.50% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 77,117 people, 30,204 households, and 19,284 families living in the county. The population density was 109.1 PD/sqmi. There were 34,773 housing units at an average density of 49.2 /sqmi. The county's racial makeup was 96.3% white, 1.2% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.7% were English, 19.1% were Irish, 12.0% were German, 8.8% were French Canadian, 8.7% were Italian, 5.0% were Scottish, and 4.7% were American.

Of the 30,204 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.2% were non-families, and 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 40.7 years.

The county's median household income was $53,828 and the median family income was $65,936. Males had a median income of $46,014 versus $35,864 for females. The county's per capita income was $27,045. About 6.0% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Politics and government

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County Commission
The executive power of Cheshire County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county.

In addition to the County Commission, there are five directly elected officials: they include County Attorney, Register of Deeds, County Sheriff, Register of Probate, and County Treasurer.

Legislative branch
The legislative branch of Cheshire County is made up of all of the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. In total, there are 22 members from 18 different districts. After the 2022 elections, the party distribution and representatives were as follows.

City

 * Keene (county seat)

Towns

 * Alstead
 * Chesterfield
 * Dublin
 * Fitzwilliam
 * Gilsum
 * Harrisville
 * Hinsdale
 * Jaffrey
 * Marlborough
 * Marlow
 * Nelson
 * Richmond
 * Rindge
 * Roxbury
 * Stoddard
 * Sullivan
 * Surry
 * Swanzey
 * Troy
 * Walpole
 * Westmoreland
 * Winchester

Census-designated places

 * Hinsdale
 * Jaffrey
 * Marlborough
 * North Walpole
 * Troy
 * Walpole
 * West Swanzey
 * Winchester

Villages

 * Ashuelot
 * Chesham
 * Drewsville
 * East Swanzey
 * Jaffrey Center
 * Munsonville
 * Poocham
 * Spofford
 * West Chesterfield