.
With a population of a little more than 12,000, Milford is an important commercial and employment center for the smaller surrounding communities.
News coverage over the last year has focused on the improvements to the town’s pride and joy, the downtown Oval, where the major roads through town come together in a large traffic circle. Much of the renovations done on the Oval are due to a civic group called DO-IT.
Despite the town’s strong economic base, it manages to keep a small-town New England flavor.
History
This town is one of the largest in area, and one of the youngest. It was not incorporated until 1794. Much of the town was originally part of Amherst, though it also includes smaller pieces of Hollis and Lyndeborough.
Milford, because of its position on the Souhegan River, was always a manufacturing town. Both cotton and wool cloth were being produced in the early 19th century by the Souhegan Manufacturing Company. By 1850 the town had a steam sawmill. Heald’s furniture company was founded in 1853 and lasted for more than 100 years. Hillsborough Mills manufactured yarn and thread until after World War II. The present industry is diversified, including Hitchiner Manufacturing, makers of industrial castings, and Hendrix Wire and Cable, a pioneer in that industry.
Incorporated: 1794
Origin: Incorporated in 1794, the town was probably named for its location near a shallow water crossing on the Souhegan River by an early mill site known as the Mill Ford. It was separated from the town of Monson, which ended up on the Massachusetts side of the border. Milford is also known as the Granite Town, because of extensive high-quality granite quarries.
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 939 residents in 1800
Population Trends: Milford grew above the statewide average rate over the last five decades, more than tripling the population. Decennial growth rates ranged from a 15 percent increase between 1990-2000 to a 36 percent increase between both 1960-1970 and 1980-1990. Milford's population increased by a total of 9,376 residents, going from 4,159 in 1950 to 13,535 residents in 2000. The 2003 Census estimate for Milford was 14,235 residents, which ranked 18th among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.
Population Density, 2003: 545.7 persons per square mile of land area. Milford contains 25.4 square miles of land area and 0.1 square miles of inland water area.
|
Population
2000: 13,535 1990: 11,795 1980: 8,685 Local Property Tax 2004 (per $1,000): $32.39 Transportation Nearest Interstate/Tpk.: Everett Tpk. Exit 10 Distance 12 miles |
Utilities:
Electric Supplier: PSNH Water Supplier: Private Curbside Trash Pickup: No Cable Television Service: Yes Full Time Police Department: Yes Full Time Fire Department: No Emergency Medical Service: Volunteer |
||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
