Wakefield is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,252 at the 2000 census. Wakefield includes the villages of Union and Sanbornville.

History

Settled by colonists from Dover and Somersworth, Wakefield was granted in 1749 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth. The town went through the names Ham's-town, East-town and Watertown before it was incorporated as Wakefield in 1774 by Colonial Governor John Wentworth. Wakefield, in Yorkshire, England, is near Wentworth Castle, the home of the Wentworth ancestors. Once a sledge and stage stop on the road to the White Mountains, Wakefield is a picturesque town of antique buildings and was home until 2007 to the Museum of Childhood.

Part of Milton was annexed in 1858. When the railroad arrived in 1871, the center of Wakefield shifted from Wakefield Corner to Sanbornville, which today remains the retail district of town.

Notable inhabitants

• Joshua G. Hall, congressman
• Harry Libbey, congressman
• Freddy Meyer, hockey player
• William Nathaniel Rogers, congressman

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 44.7 square miles (116 km2), of which 39.3 sq mi (102 km2) is land and 5.3 sq mi (14 km2) is water, comprising 11.91% of the town. Wakefield is drained by the Pine and Branch rivers. Province Lake is in the northeast corner of the town, Pine River Pond, Belleau Lake, Stump Pond (Balch Pond) and Sandy Pond in the center, and Lovell Lake, Union Meadows, Lake Ivanhoe, Great East Lake and Horn Pond in the south. Four of these lakes, Province, Balch, Great East, and Horn Pond span the Maine border. The highest point in Wakefield is the summit of Long Mountain, at 1,110 feet (340 m) above sea level, along the town's western border.

Five named villages are within the town limits: Sanbornville, Wakefield village proper, East Wakefield, North Wakefield and Union. Sanbornville, the primary settlement in the town, lies at the west end of Lovell Lake, next to the lake's outlet. The village is at the intersection of New Hampshire Routes 109 and 153. Route 16 bypasses the village to the west. Wakefield village occupies a hill just north of Sanbornville on Route 153. The village of Union occupies the southernmost corner of the town, at the intersection of Route 153 and Route 16 (at the northern end of the Spaulding Turnpike). East Wakefield is on Route 153, containing the land east of Pine River Pond and north to the Effingham town line. North Wakefield lies along Route 16 on the west side of Pine River Pond near the town line with Ossipee.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,252 people, 1,685 households, and 1,213 families residing in the town. The population density was 108.1 people per square mile (41.8/km²). There were 3,331 housing units at an average density of 84.7/sq mi (32.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.21% White, 0.09% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 1,685 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $42,500, and the median income for a family was $45,774. Males had a median income of $35,804 versus $24,898 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,507. About 5.1% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Emergency Services

Wakefield Police Department (24 hour Full Time)
2017 Wakefield Rd
Sanbornville, NH 03872
(603)522-3232 - Dispatched by Carroll County Sheriff's Office

Wakefield Fire & Ambulance (24 hour Part Time/Volunteer)
2017 Wakefield Rd
Sanbornville, NH 03872
(603)522-8336 - Dispatched by Carroll County Sheriff's Office
3 Stations - Union, Sanbornville(Central), East Wakefield

External links

• Town website
• New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile
• History of Union, New Hampshire (1775-1992)

Wakefield NH  Home $1,250,000.00 Private 11 ac Island w/ over 3,500 feet of shoreline - Under 2 hours from Boston - Rustic 1925 "Golden Pond" cottage, 9 rms. & guest house - 600 feet from mainland where 1/2 ac lot provides docking & parking. Enjoy boating, fishing & swimming on this pristine 500 ac lake & the quaint village of San ... Read More! Wakefield NH  LAND $1,232,000.00 Acreage in Wakefield, the center of New England - 3 miles from Rte 16 - 338 wooded acres with over 7500 ft of Town road frontage. 4 subdivided parcels on 4 roads - ideal for development under Wakefield s recently adopted Open Space Program. ... Read More! Wakefield NH  LAND $1,150,000.00 Great development potential - 170 acres with over 4,000 feet on state road - Facing south with views over Belleau Lake and to the mountains - Near state trails and 18 hole golf course. ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $1,099,900.00 ONE OF A KIND FIND! No other waterfront offers so much value.Unique Waterfront Estate with 12 plus acres, 8 bedrooms & 5 baths with private guest quarters give plenty of room for family & friends. Large kids beach and play area,plus waterfront patio and decking allow huge spaces for entertaining. Ov ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $1,050,000.00 Classic lake home, 2004, on the shore of 600 acre Pine River Pond - 5,000 sq ft of top of the line construction - 13 rooms with 9 ft ceilings - 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, southern exposure, 4.8 acres professional landscaped, perched beach ideal for kids. ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $895,000.00 Breathtaking peninsula location with 1,095 +/- feet of stonewalled waterfrontage on this 5 mile lake.Open concept tree top Contemporary designed for entertaining inside and out plus 300 degree water views.Soaring cathedral livingroom w/brick hearth and walls of glass offering lake views, diningroom ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $825,000.00 Magnificent & Private waterfront quality built home, located on the eastern shore of Pine River Pond.Built in 2000, but used as a retreat and summer home. Three floors of living, top quality kitchen appliances and cabinets,w/ hardwood floors throughout, floor to ceiling fireplace in the glassed livi ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $799,000.00 Large estate sized parcel on Balch Lake in Wakefield, NH. Existing 3 car garage with attractive residence above makes a great getaway, future guest quarters. Privacy, Views, and 515' on Balch Lake. Property is subdivided into 11 lots, and can be developed. ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $699,900.00 It just don't get any better than this!!! Sunsets, Water views, Mtn. views, Sun all day, Boat House w/ sleeping quarters, huge deck, Huge Open concept dining/ Living room with panoramic views. Home has been all updated and remodled. Great Family home for entertaining. Large private lot, paved drive, ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $698,000.00 -Nestled on the shore of Great East Lake is this spacious 9 room home - 3300sqft of living area - Offers splendid views over this 7 mile lake, one of the very few "Class A" lakes remaing - Something for everyone - For kids a sandy beach backing up to a grassy recreation area - For mom a space age ki ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $698,000.00 Live where you play! Comfortable, spacious lakehouse sitting on the shore of Lovell Lake facing west for superb sunsets and sweeping views. Lot is level, consisting of 380' of w/f with multi spaces to enjoy. 30' dock, hearty perrenials, and outdoor bbq area. 2 car heated garage, with additional ... Read More! Wakefield NH  COM $639,000.00 Perfect spot for the investor or for someone who wants to expand their business. Building has 2 1200 sq.ft. storefront for rentals- great for a Laundromat, Pizzaria, office space or a business that needs a store front w/ massive storage space out back. Building has all tile floors, central air, 3- ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $599,900.00 Rare opportunity to own one of the finest homes on Balch Lake. 360 degree waterviews from every window back and front! Three combined waterfront lots with 325' of waterfrontage. This property also has large wraparound decks, an approved boat house with bunk room above, 6 brick fireplaces, a high-e ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $585,000.00 Circa 1870 Post & Beam Barn, 36 x 60 in size, to be used as a residence or house your horses in one of the 5 existing commercial size stalls and build your new home even higher up on the property. Mountain views from multiple locations. Dressage ring, pastureland & small pond add to the bucolic sett ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $579,900.00 Spectacular Four Season waterfront home on Picturesque Pine River Pond. This "Unique Waterfront home is one of a kind",with truly magnificent views of Pine River Pond. P.R.P is 3rd largest of the "Seven Lakes, boasting 593 acres with over 12.2 miles of shoreline. This 10 room/4BR home with detached ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $575,000.00 Motivated Seller will consider ANY OFFERS on this meticulously maintained home that shows Pride of Ownership throughout this 8 Rm, 3 Bdrm, 2 Full Bath home w/ just under 3,000 sq ft of living all on 1 Level. Tranquil country setting on 6+ acres w/ own private pond yet less than 2 miles from major No ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $569,900.00 This large colonial has 100 ft of waterfront on Great East lake. Home has expansive views, nice sandy beach area, dock and lift system, huge deck w/ lots of room for entertaining, Walkout lower level just waiting for your finishing touches. Great sunny location and has over 1700 sq. ft of liv. spac ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $529,900.00 This home must be seen to be appreciated. Very rustic setting, 3.21 acres on Balch Pond with 785ft of owned waterfront. Open floor plan with vaulted ceilings and a foyer with brick floors. A floor to ceiling brick fireplace is one of the many exceptional features in this home. Snowmobile right from ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $525,000.00 Wonderful opportunity for joint ownership or family compound with two homes and a total of eight bedrooms. Exceptional frontage with sandy beach and boat launch. Docking for three boats and pretty views up and down Pickerel Cove. ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $524,000.00 Never offered in over 40 years. Vintage c.1910 lake camp with 120'waterfront,lake shore dry boat house. Spectacular views, sunsets, easy to use, low maintenance,many multi-generational family memories have been made here. Great candidate for your improvement ideas (when you get around to them!)Relax ... Read More! Wakefield NH  Home $499,900.00 Great place on Balch Lake! Well maintained property with waterfront sunroom and decks. 2 car garage with work shop overhead. Additional building with single garage and game room - on the side is the car port to store your boat. 300 feet on 700 acre Balch Lake. ... Read More!