Laconia is a city located in Belknap County, New Hampshire. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 16,411. It is the county seat of Belknap County. Laconia, situated near Lake Winnipesaukee, includes the villages of Lakeport and Weirs Beach. Each June, the city hosts Laconia Motorcycle Week, one of the country's largest rallies, and each winter, the Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby.
Laconia is located at 43°33'3" North, 71°28'5" West (43.550769, -71.467935).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 68.8 km2 (26.6 mi2). 52.5 km2 (20.3 mi2) of it is land and 16.3 km2 (6.3 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 23.70% water. Laconia is drained by the Winnipesaukee River. It is bounded in the southwest by Winnisquam Lake, and by Lake Winnipesaukee in the northeast.
As of the census of 2000, there are 16,411 people, 6,724 households, and 4,168 families residing in the city. The population density is 312.4/km2 (809.3/mi2). There are 8,554 housing units at an average density of 162.9/km2 (421.8/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 96.79% White, 0.55% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,724 households out of which 28.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% are married couples living together, 11.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% are non-families. 30.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.87.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $37,796, and the median income for a family is $45,307. Males have a median income of $31,714 versus $22,818 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,540. 8.9% of the population and 7.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.9% of those under the age of 18 and 5.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
A large Abenaki Indian settlement called Acquadocton Village once existed at the point now known as "The Weirs," named by colonists for fishing weirs discovered at the outlet of the Winnipesaukee River. Early explorers had hoped to follow the Piscataqua River north to Lake Champlain in search of the great lakes and rivers of Canada mentioned in Indian lore. About 1652, the Endicott surveying party visited the area, an event commemorated by Endicott Rock, a local landmark.
A fort would be built at Laconia in 1746. But ongoing hostilities between the English, French, and their respective Native American allies prevented settlement until 1761, after which it remained for many years a part of Meredith and Gilford called Meredith Bridge. Beginning in 1765, lumber and grist mills were established on Mill Street, with taverns built soon thereafter on Parade Street.
About 1822, the court house was built, which would become county seat at the creation of Belknap County in 1840. In 1832, the Belknap Mill was built to manufacture textiles; remarkably unaltered, the structure is today a museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Local industry produced lumber, textiles, shoes, hosiery, knitting machinery and needles. But the city's largest employer would be the Laconia Car Company, builder of rail, trolley and subway cars. Started in 1848, it lasted until the 1930s. The railroad entered town in 1849, carrying both freight and an increasing number of summer tourists to popular Weirs Beach.
In 1855, Laconia was incorporated as a town from land in Meredith Bridge, Lakeport, Weirs and part of Gilmanton. The name was probably taken from the old Laconia Company, formed by Captain John Mason and the Masonian Proprietors to sell parcels of land during the colonial era. The Great Fire of 1860 destroyed most of Main Street from Mill to Water streets, followed by the Great Lakeport Fire of 1903, a blaze so fierce that fire companies were brought by train from as far away as Dover. Laconia would be incorporated as a city in 1893.
Museums:
Famous People Associated with Laconia:
Source:
LaconiaNewHampshire.com
HOTELS • REAL ESTATE • JOBS