Coös County, New Hampshire

Coös County (/ˈkoʊ.ɒs/, with two syllables), frequently spelled Coos County,[1][2] is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2010 census, the population was 33,055,[3] the least of any New Hampshire county. The estimated population as of 2019 was 31,563.[4] The county seat is Lancaster.[5]

Coos County
U.S. county
Coös County Courthouse in Lancaster
Location within the U.S. state of New Hampshire
New Hampshire's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°36′50″N 71°20′24″W
Country United States
State New Hampshire
Founded1803
SeatLancaster
Largest cityBerlin
Area
 • Total1,830.3 sq mi (4,740 km2)
 • Land1,794.6 sq mi (4,648 km2)
 • Water35.7 sq mi (92 km2)  1.95%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total33,055
 • Estimate 
(2019)
31,563
 • Density17.6/sq mi (6.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.cooscountynh.us

The two-syllable pronunciation is sometimes indicated with a dieresis, notably in the Lancaster-based weekly newspaper The Coös County Democrat and on some county-owned vehicles. The county government uses both spellings interchangeably.

Coös County is part of the Berlin, NH–VT Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is the only New Hampshire county on the Canada–United States border, south of the province of Quebec, and thus is home to New Hampshire's only international port of entry, the Pittsburg–Chartierville Border Crossing. The only city in Coös County is Berlin, with the rest of the communities being towns, or unincorporated townships, gores and grants.

Coös County includes all of the state's northern panhandle. Major industries include forestry and tourism, with the once-dominant paper-making industry in sharp decline. The county straddles two of the state's tourism regions. The southernmost portion of the county is part of the White Mountains Region and is home to Mount Washington. The remainder of the county is known as the Great North Woods Region, or known locally as the North Country.

History

Coös County was separated from the northern part of Grafton County, New Hampshire, and organized at Berlin December 24, 1803, although the county seat was later moved to Lancaster, with an additional shire town at Colebrook. The name Coös derives from the Algonquian word meaning "small pines".[6]

During the American Revolutionary War two units of troops of the Continental Army — Bedel's Regiment and Whitcomb's Rangers — were raised from the settlers of Coös. From the Treaty of Paris of 1783 until 1835, the boundaries in the northern tip of the county (and New Hampshire itself) were disputed with Lower Canada (which was soon to become part of the Province of Canada), and for some years residents of the area formed the independent Republic of Indian Stream.

In the 1810 census, there were 3,991 residents, and by 1870 there were nearly 15,000, at which point the entire county was valued at just under $5 million, with farm productivity per acre comparing favorably with that of contemporary Illinois. Other early industries included forestry and manufacturing, using 4,450 water horsepower in 1870.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,830 square miles (4,700 km2), of which 1,795 square miles (4,650 km2) is land and 35 square miles (91 km2) (1.9%) is water.[7] It is the largest county in New Hampshire by area, and it is one of only two counties in the United States to share land borders with two different states and another country, along with Boundary County, Idaho.

Much of its mountainous area is reserved as national forest, wilderness, state parks and other public areas; these encompass most of the northern portion of the White Mountains, including all the named summits of the Presidential Range (though one, Mt. Webster, lies about 200 feet (61 m) from the county line). Mt. Washington's peak is the highest in the Northeast. The 162-mile (261 km) Cohos Trail runs the length of the county.[8]

The principal state highways in Coös County are New Hampshire Route 16, which runs mostly parallel to the Maine state line and through the city of Berlin, and New Hampshire Route 26, which traverses the Great North Woods from Vermont Route 102 southeast to Maine Route 26 towards Portland. The two major US Highways are US Route 2, which roughly bisects the county from Lancaster to the Oxford County line, and US Route 3, which runs from Carroll in the south to the Pittsburg–Chartierville Border Crossing, where it continues as Quebec Route 257.

Coös County is the least populated of all New Hampshire counties, and the only one with significant amounts of unincorporated land; over half of the municipal-like entities are unincorporated townships, gores, or grants, a rarity in New England, where nearly all of the land is incorporated as towns or cities. The population of these unincorporated territories is minuscule; collectively they account for less than 1% of the population of the county, with only three (Wentworth's Location, Millsfield, and Dixville) reporting populations in the double digits for recent censuses. Approximately 1/3 of the population lives in Berlin, the only city, most populous municipality, and economic hub. Lancaster serves as the county seat.

Mountains

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18103,991—
18205,54939.0%
18308,38851.2%
18409,84917.4%
185011,85320.3%
186013,16111.0%
187014,93213.5%
188018,58024.4%
189023,21124.9%
190029,46827.0%
191030,7534.4%
192036,09317.4%
193038,9597.9%
194039,2740.8%
195035,932−8.5%
196037,1403.4%
197034,291−7.7%
198035,1472.5%
199034,828−0.9%
200033,111−4.9%
201033,055−0.2%
Est. 201931,563[9]−4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2018[3]

2000 census

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 33,111 people, 13,961 households, and 9,158 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (7/km²). There were 19,623 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.05% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.5% were of French, 19.8% French Canadian, 14.2% English, 10.2% Irish and 10.0% American ancestry. 16.17% of the population speak French at home.

There were 13,961 households out of which 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 28.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.80% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,593, and the median income for a family was $40,654. Males had a median income of $32,152 versus $21,088 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,218. About 6.80% of families and 10.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.70% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 33,055 people, 14,171 households, and 8,879 families residing in the county.[15] The population density was 18.4 inhabitants per square mile (7.1/km2). There were 21,321 housing units at an average density of 11.9 per square mile (4.6/km2).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 96.9% white, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population.[15]

Of the 14,171 households, 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.3% were non-families, and 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.72. The median age was 46.4 years.[15]

18.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.7% were from age 18 to 24, 22.1% were from 25 to 44, 32.9% were from 45 to 64, and 19.4% were age 65 or older. The median age was 46.4 years. For every 100 females there were 103.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and older, there were 101.8 males.[15]

During the period 2011-2015, the largest self-reported ancestry groups in the county were 39.3% French or French Canadian, 16.9% Irish, 14.2% English, 7.2% "American", 5.5% Italian, 4.9% German, and 3.6% Scottish.[17]

During 2011-2015, the estimated median annual income for a household in the county was $42,312, and the median income for a family was $55,385. Male full-time workers had a median income of $41,934 versus $34,859 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,546. About 9.9% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.7% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.[18]

Politics and government

Coös County has supported the president-elect in all but two elections since 1892. The exceptions were 1968 and 2004, when it supported Democratic nominees Hubert Humphrey and John Kerry.[19][20]

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 50.9% 7,952 42.0% 6,563 7.1% 1,112
2012 40.4% 6,342 57.9% 9,095 1.7% 262
2008 40.1% 6,558 58.3% 9,532 1.6% 258
2004 48.1% 8,143 50.7% 8,585 1.2% 197
2000 50.2% 7,329 45.0% 6,570 4.8% 701
1996 33.3% 4,703 50.9% 7,191 15.9% 2,243
1992 33.4% 5,271 41.5% 6,559 25.1% 3,974
1988 63.3% 8,763 36.0% 4,981 0.7% 96
1984 71.2% 10,013 28.5% 4,004 0.3% 40
1980 60.1% 8,724 32.7% 4,749 7.2% 1,047
1976 48.5% 7,094 50.5% 7,385 1.1% 159
1972 60.8% 9,468 37.5% 5,829 1.7% 266
1968 44.0% 6,822 53.3% 8,261 2.7% 414
1964 28.9% 4,863 71.1% 11,956
1960 42.7% 7,797 57.3% 10,455
1956 66.1% 11,465 33.9% 5,871 0.0% 2
1952 56.0% 9,975 44.0% 7,848
1948 46.2% 7,005 52.3% 7,930 1.5% 230
1944 41.6% 6,209 58.4% 8,709 0.0% 4
1940 39.7% 6,650 60.3% 10,100
1936 42.9% 6,737 55.7% 8,737 1.4% 220
1932 47.3% 7,189 52.1% 7,928 0.6% 88
1928 56.6% 7,891 43.1% 6,006 0.2% 34
1924 52.7% 6,137 39.7% 4,620 7.7% 894
1920 54.5% 6,114 44.4% 4,985 1.2% 129
1916 44.2% 2,762 52.0% 3,247 3.8% 237
1912 35.2% 1,938 40.5% 2,229 24.3% 1,334
1908 58.3% 3,294 39.3% 2,216 2.4% 136
1904 59.1% 3,343 39.6% 2,241 1.3% 75
1900 57.4% 3,383 41.3% 2,436 1.3% 75
1896 66.0% 3,253 30.2% 1,489 3.8% 186
1892 47.4% 2,419 51.7% 2,639 1.0% 50
1888 45.3% 2,297 53.8% 2,729 1.0% 48
1884 44.4% 1,987 53.6% 2,394 2.0% 90
1880 42.9% 1,829 56.0% 2,387 1.1% 48
1876 43.7% 1,679 55.5% 2,130 0.8% 31

County Commission

The executive power of Coös County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county.[22]

Districts Name Hometown Party
District 1 Paul Grenier (Vice Chair) Berlin, NH Democratic
District 2 Thomas Brady (Chairman) Jefferson, NH Republican
District 3 Rick Samson (Clerk) Stewartstown, NH Republican

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.[23]

Office Name
County Attorney John McCormick (D)
Register of Deeds Leon Rideout (R)
County Sheriff Brian Valerino (I)
Register of Probate Terri Peterson (R)
County Treasurer Suzanne Collins (R)

New Hampshire General Court

Coös County sends members to the New Hampshire House of Representatives for seven districts (districts are numbered within each county), and are represented by ten representatives (the New Hampshire House of Representatives has both single-member and multiple-member districts). Coös district 1, which covers the sparsely populated northern half of the county, sends two representatives, while the city of Berlin (Coös district 3) sends three, and the rest of the districts send one each.

Affiliation Members Voting share
Democratic Party 6 60%
Republican Party 4 40%
Total 10 100%

It is also part of Senate District 1, which includes the whole of Coös County and the northern portion of Grafton County. Republican David Starr, a resident of Franconia in Grafton County, represents the district.

Media

Radio

(Compiled from Radiostationworld.com)

Some stations from nearby Sherbrooke can also be received in Coös County, the strongest being CITE-FM-1 102.7 FM. For details of stations, see Template:Sherbrooke Radio.

Television
  • W34DQ-D - Pittsburg - Channel 34, rebroadcast of New Hampshire Public Television (NHPTV)
  • W27BL - Berlin - Channel 27, rebroadcast of WMUR-TV (ABC)

Coös County is part of the Portland-Auburn DMA. Cable companies carry local market stations WPFO (Fox), WMTW (ABC), WGME (CBS), and WCSH (NBC), plus NHPTV, WMUR and select stations from the Burlington / Plattsburgh market. Sherbrooke stations CKSH-DT (Ici Radio-Canada Télé) and CHLT-DT (TVA), as well as Montreal station CBMT-DT (CBC) are also available, though reception and/or cable carriage may vary by location.

Newspapers
  • The Colebrook Chronicle - Weekly published Fridays from Colebrook, circulation 6,000. Also produces weekly Video New of the Week embedded at website
  • The Coös County Democrat - Weekly published Wednesdays from Lancaster
  • The News and Sentinel - Weekly in Colebrook
  • The Berlin Daily Sun
  • The Berlin Reporter - Weekly published Wednesdays from Berlin
  • Great Northwoods Journal - Weekly from Lancaster, publication ceased January 2013
  • The North Woods Weekly - Weekly from Lancaster, published by The News and Sentinel

Communities
Modern town borders in Coös County, New Hampshire. Cities and towns are named in black and have town records. Green places are unincorporated, and do not keep records.

City

Towns

Townships

Numbers in parentheses indicate each township's population per the 2010 census.

Census-designated places

Villages

Robert Frost, who once lived in Franconia in neighboring Grafton County, wrote the poem "The Witch of Coös".[24]

Coös County is the setting for the John Irving novel Last Night in Twisted River, Twisted River being a logging settlement in the county.[25]

gollark: Sure?
gollark: WHO HATH PINGED ME?
gollark: <:kst:665040403224985611>80
gollark: So it turns out that fixing this minor issue with my project is actually going to be very complex because web platform!
gollark: And arguably the main purpose of "wcbonalds" (seriously, could you pick a less derivative name?) is to serve food.

See also

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Coos County
  2. "New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 22:11, "Coos"". New Hampshire General Court. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  3. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 6, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  4. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018: New Hampshire". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. Bright, William. Native American Placenames of the United States. 2004. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press
  7. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1: Coos County, New Hampshire". American Factfinder. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  8. "Hiker completes creation of 162-mile trail", Billy Baker, Boston Globe, October 16, 2011
  9. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  16. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  17. "People Reporting Ancestry; Universe: Total population; 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (B04006), Coos County, New Hampshire". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  18. "Selected Economic Characteristics; 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP03): Coos County, New Hampshire". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  19. Obeng, Adam (27 April 2016). "There Are No Bellwether Counties". huffingtonpost.com.
  20. 1892 'Presidential Election of 1892' (and subsequent elections' maps)
  21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  22. http://sos.nh.gov/2016CountyGen.aspx?id=8589963582
  23. http://www.cooscountynh.us/departments
  24. Meyers, Jeffrey. "On "The Witch of Coös"". Modern American Poetry. University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign Department of English. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  25. "Last Night in Twisted River". johnirving.com. Retrieved October 24, 2016.

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