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Coordinates: 43°48′49″N 71°02′11″W / 43.81361°N 71.03639°W / 43.81361; -71.03639
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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Freedom, New Hampshire
| official_name = Freedom, New Hampshire
|nickname =
| nickname =
|motto =
| motto =
|image_skyline =
| image_skyline = CenterofFreedomNHAug2019.jpg
|image_seal =
| image_seal =
|imagesize =
| imagesize =
|image_caption =
| image_caption = Houses along Old Portland Road in the town center
|image_flag =
| image_flag =
|image_map = Carroll-Freedom-NH.png
| image_map = Carroll-Freedom-NH.png
|mapsize = 250px
| mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = Location in [[Carroll County, New Hampshire]]
| map_caption = Location in [[Carroll County, New Hampshire]]
|settlement_type = Town
| settlement_type = Town
|image_map1 =
| image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
| mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =
| map_caption1 =
|subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]]
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[New Hampshire]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[New Hampshire]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in New Hampshire|County]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in New Hampshire|County]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Carroll County, New Hampshire|Carroll]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Carroll County, New Hampshire|Carroll]]
|government_type =
| government_type =
|leader_title = [[Board of Selectmen]]
| leader_title = [[Board of Selectmen]]
|leader_name = Les Babb, Chair<br>Ernie Day, Jr.<br>Neal Boyle
| leader_name = {{ubl|Leslie R. Babb, Chair|Allan G. Fall}}
|leader_title1 = Town Administrator
| leader_title1 = Town Administrator
|leader_name1 = Karen Hatch
| leader_name1 = Stacy Bolduc
|established_title = [[Incorporation (municipal government)|Incorporated]]
| established_title = [[Incorporation (municipal government)|Incorporated]]
|established_date = 1831
| established_date = 1831
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021">{{cite web |title=2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files – New Hampshire |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2021_Gazetteer/2021_gaz_cousubs_33.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>
|area_magnitude = 1 E8
|area_total_km2 = 98.7
| area_total_km2 = 98.2
|area_total_sq_mi =
| area_total_sq_mi =
|area_land_km2 = 90.6
| area_land_km2 = 90.0
|area_land_sq_mi =
| area_land_sq_mi =
|area_water_km2 = 8.1
| area_water_km2 = 8.2
|area_water_sq_mi =
| area_water_sq_mi =
|area_water_percent = 8.23
| area_water_percent = 8.37
|population_as_of = 2010
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=0600000US3300327700&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>
|population_note =
|population_total = 1489
| population_total = 1689
|population_density_km2 = 16.4
| population_density_km2 = 18.8
|population_density_sq_mi =
| population_density_sq_mi =
|timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset = -5
| utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time Zone|Eastern]]
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset_DST = -4
| utc_offset_DST = -4
|coordinates = {{coord|43|48|49|N|71|02|11|W|region:US-NH|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|43|48|49|N|71|02|11|W|region:US-NH|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_m = 134
| elevation_m = 134
|elevation_ft = 439
| elevation_ft = 439
|website = {{URL|www.townoffreedom.net}}
| website = {{URL|townoffreedom.net}}
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code = 03836
| postal_code = 03836
|area_code = [[Area code 603|603]]
| area_code = [[Area code 603|603]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 33-27700
| blank_info = 33-27700
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 0873601
| blank1_info = 0873601
|footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
'''Freedom''' is a [[New England town|town]] located in [[Carroll County, New Hampshire|Carroll County]], [[New Hampshire]], United States. The population was 1,489 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref name="Census 2010 DP">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3300327700| title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| accessdate=March 8, 2013}}</ref> The town's eastern boundary runs along the [[Maine]] state border. [[Ossipee Lake]], with a resort and camps, is in the southwest of the town.
'''Freedom''' is a [[New England town|town]] located in [[Carroll County, New Hampshire|Carroll County]], [[New Hampshire]], United States. The population was 1,689 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 2020"/> up from 1,489 at the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]].<ref name="Census 2010 DP">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3300327700| title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=March 8, 2013| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212055205/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3300327700| archive-date=February 12, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref> The town's eastern boundary runs along the [[Maine]] state border. [[Ossipee Lake]], with a resort and camps, is in the southwest of the town.


== History ==
== History ==
⚫
[[Image:The Meadows in Freedom, NH.jpg|thumb|left|''The Meadows'' c. 1910]]
⚫
The town was once a part of [[Effingham, New Hampshire|Effingham]] called "North Effingham". Following an influx of new settlers from Maine, there was a conflict of [[culture]] and [[religion]] between them and people from the [[New Hampshire]] seacoast area who already populated Effingham. As a result, North Effingham separated into a town of its own. The community, incorporated in 1831, was appropriately named "Freedom".


⚫
[[Image:The Meadows in Freedom, NH.jpg|thumb|left|The Meadows {{circa|1910}}]]
⚫
The town was the setting for the children's fantasy book ''The Enormous Egg'' by Oliver Butterworth, first published in 1956 but reissued years later, and a 2001 broadcast of ''[[This American Life]]'', "House on Loon Lake". The episode depicted an abandoned house explored by young boys in town for summer camp at Loon Lake.
⚫
The town was once a part of [[Effingham, New Hampshire|Effingham]] called "North Effingham". Following an influx of new settlers from Maine, there was a conflict of [[culture]] and [[religion]] between them and people from the [[New Hampshire]] seacoast area who already populated Effingham. As a result, North Effingham separated into a town of its own. The community, incorporated in 1831, was named "Freedom" to commemorate its separation from Effingham.


== Geography ==
== Geography ==
[[Image:Schoolhouse, Freedom, NH.jpg|thumb|right|''Schoolhouse'' in 1911]]
[[Image:Schoolhouse, Freedom, NH.jpg|thumb|right|Freedom Village Grammar School in 1911]]
Freedom is situated between the [[Lakes Region (New Hampshire)|Lakes Region]] and the [[White Mountains (New Hampshire)|White Mountains]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|38.1|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|35.0|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|3.1|sqmi}} is water, comprising 8.23% of the town.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder2.census.gov |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001) - Freedom town, New Hampshire |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau American Factfinder |accessdate=November 7, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911234518/http://factfinder2.census.gov/ |archivedate=September 11, 2013 |df= }}</ref> The highest point in the town is the summit of Cragged Mountain, at {{convert|1806|ft|m}} above [[sea level]]. Freedom is drained by the [[Ossipee River]] and lies fully within the [[Saco River]] [[Drainage basin|watershed]].<ref name=watershed>{{cite book |title=Water Use in New Hampshire: An Activities Guide for Teachers |url=http://nh.water.usgs.gov/Publications/nh.intro.html |last=Foster |first=Debra H. |author2=Batorfalvy, Tatianna N.|author3= Medalie, Laura |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey |year=1995}}</ref>
Freedom is situated between the [[Lakes Region (New Hampshire)|Lakes Region]] and the [[White Mountains (New Hampshire)|White Mountains]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|98.2|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|90.0|sqkm|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|8.2|sqkm|order=flip|1}} are water, comprising 8.37% of the town.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021"/> The highest point in Freedom is the summit of Cragged Mountain in the northeastern corner of the town, at {{convert|1806|ft|m}} above [[sea level]]. Freedom is drained by the [[Ossipee River]] and lies fully within the [[Saco River]] [[Drainage basin|watershed]].<ref name=watershed>{{cite book |title=Water Use in New Hampshire: An Activities Guide for Teachers |url=http://nh.water.usgs.gov/Publications/nh.intro.html |last=Foster |first=Debra H. |author2=Batorfalvy, Tatianna N.|author3= Medalie, Laura |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey |year=1995}}</ref>


Freedom is one of several sites for [[Nature's Classroom]]. It is also home to one of the permanent campsites of the [[Luethi-Peterson Camps]] and to [[Cragged Mountain Farm]], a co-ed summer camp on Cragged Mountain started by Dr. Henry Utter in 1927, and still owned by the Utter family.
Freedom is one of several sites for [[Nature's Classroom]]. It is also home to one of the permanent campsites of the [[Luethi-Peterson Camps]] and to [[Cragged Mountain Farm]], a co-ed summer camp on Cragged Mountain started by Dr. Henry Utter in 1927, and still owned by the Utter family.

===Adjacent municipalities===
* [[Eaton, New Hampshire|Eaton]] (northeast)
* [[Porter, Maine]] (east)
* [[Effingham, New Hampshire|Effingham]] (south)
* [[Ossipee, New Hampshire|Ossipee]] (southwest)
* [[Madison, New Hampshire|Madison]] (northwest)


== Demographics ==
== Demographics ==

{{US Census population
{{US Census population
|1840= 926
|1840= 926
Line 92: Line 100:
|2000= 1303
|2000= 1303
|2010= 1489
|2010= 1489
|2020= 1689
|estyear=2015
|estyear=
|estimate=1487
|estimate=
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2015/SUB-EST2015.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714141336/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2015/SUB-EST2015.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=July 14, 2016 |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015 |accessdate=July 2, 2016 }}</ref>
|estref=
|footnote=<center>U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |accessdate=June 4, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6YSasqtfX?url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |archivedate=May 12, 2015 |df= }}</ref></center>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="Census 2020"/><ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2016 }}</ref>
}}
}}
[[Image:Street Scene, Freedom, NH.jpg|thumb|left|''Street Scene'' c. 1910]]
[[Image:Street Scene, Freedom, NH.jpg|thumb|left|Street scene {{circa|1910}}]]
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 1,489 people, 699 households, and 457 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was 42.5 people per square mile (16.4/km²). There were 1,580 housing units at an average density of 45.1 per square mile (17.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.8% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|White]], 0.1% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|African American]], 0.3% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Asian]], 0.1% some other race, and 0.7% from two or more races.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 1,489 people, 699 households, and 457 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|42.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,580 housing units at an average density of {{convert|45.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 98.8% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|White]], 0.1% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|African American]], 0.3% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Asian]], 0.1% some other race, and 0.7% from two or more races.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>


There were 699 households out of which 19.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were headed by [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12, and the average family size was 2.57.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>
There were 699 households, out of which 19.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were headed by [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12, and the average family size was 2.57.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>


[[Image:Philbrick House, Freedom, NH.jpg|thumb|right|''Philbrick House'' in 1916]]
[[Image:Philbrick House, Freedom, NH.jpg|thumb|right|Philbrick House in 1916]]
In the town, the population was spread out with 15.6% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 16.8% from 25 to 44, 35.9% from 45 to 64, and 26.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53.1 years. For every 100 females there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>
In the town, the population was spread out, with 15.6% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 16.8% from 25 to 44, 35.9% from 45 to 64, and 26.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>


For the period 2007-11, the estimated median annual income for a household in the town was $47,375, and the median income for a family was $50,769. Male full-time workers had a median income of $40,536 versus $33,958 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $32,537. About 6.0% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.4% of those under the age of 18 and 3.6% of those 65 and older.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_5YR/DP03/0600000US3300327700| title=Selected Economic Characteristics: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP03): Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| accessdate=March 8, 2013}}</ref>
For the period 2007–2011, the estimated median annual income for a household in the town was $47,375, and the median income for a family was $50,769. Male full-time workers had a median income of $40,536 versus $33,958 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $32,537. About 6.0% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.4% of those under the age of 18 and 3.6% of those 65 and older.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_5YR/DP03/0600000US3300327700| title=Selected Economic Characteristics: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP03): Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=March 8, 2013| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212083449/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_5YR/DP03/0600000US3300327700| archive-date=February 12, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>


The largest ancestry groups in Freedom as of 2007-11 were:
The largest ancestry groups in Freedom as of 2007–2011 were:


* 29.8% [[English people|English]]
* 29.8% [[English people|English]]
Line 116: Line 125:
* 7.5% [[Germans|German]]
* 7.5% [[Germans|German]]
* 5.7% [[Scotch-Irish American|Scotch-Irish]]
* 5.7% [[Scotch-Irish American|Scotch-Irish]]
* 5.2% [[Italians|Italian]]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_5YR/DP02/0600000US3300327700| title=Selected Social Characteristics in the United States: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP02): Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| accessdate=March 8, 2013}}</ref>
* 5.2% [[Italians|Italian]]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_5YR/DP02/0600000US3300327700| title=Selected Social Characteristics in the United States: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP02): Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=March 8, 2013| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212095748/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_5YR/DP02/0600000US3300327700| archive-date=February 12, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>


== Sites of interest ==
== Sites of interest ==
* Allard House & Works Museum, Freedom Historical Society
* Allard House & Works Museum, Freedom Historical Society


== Cultural references==
⚫
== Notable people ==
⚫
*The town was the setting for the children's fantasy book ''The Enormous Egg'' by [[Oliver Butterworth (writer)|Oliver Butterworth]], first published in 1956 but reissued years later.
*"House on Loon Lake", a 2001 episode of ''[[This American Life]]'', depicted an abandoned house explored by young boys in town for summer camp at Loon Lake.<ref>{{cite web |title=House on Loon Lake |url=https://www.thisamericanlife.org/199/house-on-loon-lake |website=thisamericanlife.org |publisher=WBEZ |access-date=July 25, 2023}}</ref>

⚫
== Notable person ==
<!-- Note:
<!-- Note:
· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability.
· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability.
Line 130: Line 143:
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* [[Frank S. Black]] (summer resident), 32nd [[List of Governors of New York|governor of New York]]
* [[Frank S. Black]] (1853–1913), 32nd [[List of Governors of New York|governor of New York]]


==References==
==References==

{{portal|New Hampshire}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.townoffreedom.net Town of Freedom official website]
* {{Official website|www.townoffreedom.net}}
* [http://www.nhes.nh.gov/elmi/products/cp/profiles-htm/freedom.htm New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile]
* [http://www.nhes.nh.gov/elmi/products/cp/profiles-htm/freedom.htm New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile]
* [http://www.freedompubliclibrary.org Freedom Public Library]
* [http://www.freedompubliclibrary.org Freedom Public Library]
* [http://www.freedomoldhomeweek.org Freedom Old Home Week]
* [http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/199/house-on-loon-lake "House on Loon Lake" episode of ''This American Life'']
* [http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/199/house-on-loon-lake "House on Loon Lake" episode of ''This American Life'']


Line 156: Line 170:
{{Carroll County, New Hampshire}}
{{Carroll County, New Hampshire}}
{{Saco River}}
{{Saco River}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Towns in Carroll County, New Hampshire]]
[[Category:Towns in Carroll County, New Hampshire]]

Latest revision as of 14:01, 19 August 2024

Freedom, New Hampshire
Town
Houses along Old Portland Road in the town center
Houses along Old Portland Road in the town center
Location in Carroll County, New Hampshire
Location in Carroll County, New Hampshire
Coordinates: 43°48′49″N 71°02′11″W / 43.81361°N 71.03639°W / 43.81361; -71.03639
CountryUnited States
StateNew Hampshire
CountyCarroll
Incorporated1831
Government
 • Board of Selectmen
  • Leslie R. Babb, Chair
  • Allan G. Fall
 • Town AdministratorStacy Bolduc
Area
[1]
 • Total37.9 sq mi (98.2 km2)
 • Land34.7 sq mi (90.0 km2)
 • Water3.2 sq mi (8.2 km2)  8.37%
Elevation
439 ft (134 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total1,689
 • Density49/sq mi (18.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
03836
Area code603
FIPS code33-27700
GNIS feature ID0873601
Websitetownoffreedom.net

Freedom is a town located in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,689 at the 2020 census,[2] up from 1,489 at the 2010 census.[3] The town's eastern boundary runs along the Maine state border. Ossipee Lake, with a resort and camps, is in the southwest of the town.

History

[edit]
The Meadows c. 1910

The town was once a part of Effingham called "North Effingham". Following an influx of new settlers from Maine, there was a conflict of culture and religion between them and people from the New Hampshire seacoast area who already populated Effingham. As a result, North Effingham separated into a town of its own. The community, incorporated in 1831, was named "Freedom" to commemorate its separation from Effingham.

Geography

[edit]
Freedom Village Grammar School in 1911

Freedom is situated between the Lakes Region and the White Mountains. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.9 square miles (98.2 km2), of which 34.7 square miles (90.0 km2) are land and 3.2 square miles (8.2 km2) are water, comprising 8.37% of the town.[1] The highest point in Freedom is the summit of Cragged Mountain in the northeastern corner of the town, at 1,806 feet (550 m) above sea level. Freedom is drained by the Ossipee River and lies fully within the Saco River watershed.[4]

Freedom is one of several sites for Nature's Classroom. It is also home to one of the permanent campsites of the Luethi-Peterson Camps and to Cragged Mountain Farm, a co-ed summer camp on Cragged Mountain started by Dr. Henry Utter in 1927, and still owned by the Utter family.

Adjacent municipalities

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1840926—
1850910−1.7%
18609170.8%
1870737−19.6%
1880714−3.1%
1890630−11.8%
1900594−5.7%
1910542−8.8%
1920467−13.8%
1930390−16.5%
1940352−9.7%
1950315−10.5%
196036315.2%
19703876.6%
198072086.0%
199093529.9%
20001,30339.4%
20101,48914.3%
20201,68913.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[2][5]
Street scene c. 1910

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,489 people, 699 households, and 457 families residing in the town. The population density was 42.5 inhabitants per square mile (16.4/km2). There were 1,580 housing units at an average density of 45.1 per square mile (17.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.8% White, 0.1% African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% some other race, and 0.7% from two or more races.[3]

There were 699 households, out of which 19.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were headed by married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12, and the average family size was 2.57.[3]

Philbrick House in 1916

In the town, the population was spread out, with 15.6% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 16.8% from 25 to 44, 35.9% from 45 to 64, and 26.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.[3]

For the period 2007–2011, the estimated median annual income for a household in the town was $47,375, and the median income for a family was $50,769. Male full-time workers had a median income of $40,536 versus $33,958 for females. The per capita income for the town was $32,537. About 6.0% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under the age of 18 and 3.6% of those 65 and older.[6]

The largest ancestry groups in Freedom as of 2007–2011 were:

Sites of interest

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  • Allard House & Works Museum, Freedom Historical Society

Cultural references

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  • The town was the setting for the children's fantasy book The Enormous Egg by Oliver Butterworth, first published in 1956 but reissued years later.
  • "House on Loon Lake", a 2001 episode of This American Life, depicted an abandoned house explored by young boys in town for summer camp at Loon Lake.[8]

Notable person

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References

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  1. ^ a b "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files – New Hampshire". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  4. ^ Foster, Debra H.; Batorfalvy, Tatianna N.; Medalie, Laura (1995). Water Use in New Hampshire: An Activities Guide for Teachers. U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey.
  5. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  6. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP03): Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  7. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP02): Freedom town, Carroll County, New Hampshire". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  8. ^ "House on Loon Lake". thisamericanlife.org. WBEZ. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
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