Incorporated: 1768 |
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Origin: Meredith was first granted in 1748 to a group of settlers led by Samuel Palmer, a teacher of surveying and navigation, who had laid out much of the land surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee. It was known as Palmer's-Town, or Second Township, since it was the second town granted by the Masonian Proprietors that lay at the lake. Many settlers were from Salem, Massachusetts, and the town was later called New Salem. In 1768, the town was incorporated by Governor John Wentworth as Meredith, for Sir William Meredith, who allied with William Pitt in opposition to taxation on the colonies. |
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Villages and Place Names: Bear Island, East Bear Island, Leavitt Park, Lovejoy Sands, Meredith Center |
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Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 881 residents in 1790 |
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Population Trends: Population change for Meredith totaled 3,761 over 50 years, from 2,904 in 1970 to 6,665 in 2020. The largest decennial percent change was a 60 percent increase from 1970 to 1980. The town's population increased by seven percent from 2010 to 2020. |
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Population Density and Land Area: 2023 (US Census Bureau): 168.2 persons per square mile of land area. Meredith contains 40.3 square miles of land area and 14.2 square miles of inland water area. |
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