Incorporated: 1760 |
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Origin: This community was originally granted in 1732 as Contoocook, after the river of the same name. In 1760, the town was incorporated as Boscawen, in honor of an English admiral, Edward Boscawen, who fought under General Amherst in the conquest of Canada. Admiral Boscawen was responsible for the capture of the fortress at Louisbourg, Nova Scotia. The Contoocook Fort on the Merrimack, one of the first log forts constructed for protection against the Indians, was built here in 1739. In July 1997, the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery was established by legislature in Boscawen on 104 acres previously used as a state forest. |
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Villages and Place Names: unknown |
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Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 1108 residents in 1790 |
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Population Trends: Population change for Boscawen totaled 783 over 50 years, from 3,162 in 1970 to 3,945 in 2020. The largest decennial percent change was a nine percent increase from 1970 to 1980; and by eight percent from 1990 to 2000 and 2000 to 2010. The town's population declined by one percent from 2010 to 2020. |
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Population Density and Land Area: 2023 (US Census Bureau): 161.8 persons per square mile of land area. Boscawen contains 24.9 square miles of land area and 0.5 square miles of inland water area. |
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