Bedford, founded in 1750, is a town located in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. As of the 2000 census, it had a population of 18,274.
A well-off suburb of Manchester, Bedford has one of the highest average personal incomes in the state.
Established in 1730 as Narragansett Number 5 for the benefit of soldiers who fought against the Narragansett Indians in Rhode Island, it was regranted first as Souhegan East, then as Bedford in 1750. The town was named for Lord John Russell, fourth Duke of Bedford, a close friend of Governor Benning Wentworth.
Like much of southeastern New Hampshire, Bedford has grown quickly since World War II: The 2000 population of 18,274 was more than eight times the 1950 population of 2,176. Every decade has seen a substantial rate of growth, ranging from 33 percent between 1980-1990 to a 67 percent increase between 1950-1960. The 2004 Census estimate for Bedford was 20,480 residents, which ranked 13th among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.
At town meeting in 2005, Bedford voted to create its own high school, expected to open in the 2006-2007 school year. Its students currently attend high school in Manchester.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 85.8 km2 (33.1 mi2). 85.0 km2 (32.8 mi2) of it is land and 0.7 km2 (0.3 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 0.85% water. The largest body of water other than the Merrimack River is Sebbins Pond, which is connected to smaller, neighboring bodies of water by Sebbins Brook. It is borded by the town of Goffstown and the city of Manchester to the north, by Manchester to east across the Merrimack River, by the town of Merrimack to the south, and by the towns of Amherst and New Boston to the west.
An impressive rock formation, called Pulpit Rock (originally the Devil's Pulpit), is located in the far northwest corner of the town on New Boston Road and is the feature of the town-owned Pulpit Rock Conservation Area.
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 18,274 people, 6,251 households, and 5,125 families residing in the town. The population density is 214.9/km2 (556.6/mi2). There are 6,401 housing units at an average density of 75.3/km2 (195.0/mi2). The racial makeup of the town is 97.41% White, 0.32% African American, 0.06% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,251 households out of which 41.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.9% are married couples living together, 5.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 18.0% are non-families. 14.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.85 and the average family size is 3.17.
In the town the population is spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $84,392, and the median income for a family is $91,868. Males have a median income of $69,987 versus $39,507 for females. The per capita income for the town is $37,730. 2.2% of the population and 1.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.9% of those under the age of 18 and 6.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Source:
BedfordNewHampshire.com
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