Town of New Castle Robert Beecher, Chairman PO Box 367 New Castle, NH 03854
Telephone
431-6710
Fax
(603) 433-6198
E-mail
not available
Web Site
www.newcastlenh.org/Town/
Municipal Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 am - 2 pm; Town Clerk: Monday and Wednesday, 9 am - 1 pm, Thursday, 12 noon - 5 pm
County
Rockingham
Tourism Region
Seacoast
Planning Commission
Rockingham
Regional Development
Seacoast Business Alliance Corp.
Election Districts
US Congress
District 1
Executive Council
District 3
State Senate
District 24
State Representative
District 88
Incorporated: 1693
Origin: The largest of several islands at the mouth of the Piscataqua River, this town was originally known as Great Island. Chartered in 1679 as a parish of Portsmouth, it was incorporated in 1693. New Castle is unique in the state, being the only town made up entirely of islands, connected to the mainland by bridges. New Castle is home to the Wentworth-by-the-Sea Hotel, site of the Russo-Japanese Peace Treaty of 1905, mediated by Theodore Roosevelt.
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 534 residents in 1790
Population Trends: Population growth in New Castle was the opposite of many towns, with rapid growth early and slowing over more recent decades. Highest decennial population change was a 41 percent increase between 1950-1960; the lowest a ten percent decrease between 1980-1990. New Castle's population increased by 427 residents, going from 583 in 1950 to 1,010 residents in 2000. The 2003 Census estimate for New Castle was 1,020 residents, which ranked 183rd among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.
Population Density, 2003: 1,255.0 persons per square mile of land area, the fourth highest among the cities and towns. New Castle contains 0.8 square miles of land area and 1.3 square miles of inland water area.
Villages and Place Names:
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Type of Government
Selectmen
2004 Annual Budget
$1,305,984
Zoning Ordinance
1954/04
Master Plan
2002
Capitol Improvement Plan
No
Industrial Plans Reviewed By
Planning Board
Boards and Commissions
Elected:
Board of Selectmen
Appointed:
Planning Board; Conservation Commission; Library Trustees; Cemetery Trustees; Historic Distric Commission; Zoning Board of Adjustment; Public Works
Public Library
New Castle Public
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department
Full-time
Fire Department
Volunteer
Town Fire Insurance Rating
5
Emergency Medical Service
Volunteer
Nearest Hospital(s):
Portsmouth Regional, Portsmouth
Distance: 4 miles
Staffed Beds:165
UTILITIES
Electric Supplier
PSNH
Natural Gas Supplier
None
Water Supplier
New Castle Water Works
Sanitation
Municipal
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant
No
Solid Waste Disposal
Curbside Trash Pickup
Municipal
Pay-As-You-Throw Program
No
Mandatory Recycling Program
Voluntary
Telephone Company
Verizon
Cellular Telephone Access
Yes
Cable Television Access
Yes
High Speed Cable Internet Service:
Business
Yes
Residential
Yes
PROPERTY TAXES
2003 Total Tax Rate (per $1000)
$9.58
2003 Equalization Ratio
82.9
2003 Full Value Tax Rate (per $1000)
$7.93
2003 Percent of Property Valuation by Type
Residential Land and Buildings
94.4%
Commercial Land and Buildings
5.3%
Other Property including Utilities
0.2%
HOUSING
2002 Total Housing Units
493
2002 Single-Family Units
458
Building Permits Issued
2
2002 Multi-Family Units
35
Building Permits Issued
0
2002 Manufactured Housing Units
0
DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population
Community
County
2003
1,020
290,102
2000
1,010
277,359
1990
840
245,845
1980
936
190,345
1970
975
138,951
Census 2000 Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
494
Female
516
Population by Age Group
Under age 5
43
Age 5 to 19
155
Age 20 to 34
83
Age 35 to 54
316
Age 55 to 64
170
Age 65 and over
243
Median Age
49.6 years
Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
96.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher
61.5%
ANNUAL INCOME, 1999 (Census 2000)
Per capita income
$67,695
Median 4-person family income
$93,290
Median household income
$83,708
Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
Male
$57,375
Female
$35,568
Families below the poverty level
0.0%
LABOR FORCE
Annual Average
1993
2003
Civilian Labor Force
322
415
Employed
315
405
Unemployed
7
10
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
2.4%
EMPLOYMENT & WAGES
1993
2003
Goods Producing Industries
Average Employment
n
n
Average Weekly Wage
n
n
Service Providing Industries
Average Employment
n
n
Average Weekly Wage
n
n
Total Private Industry
Average Employment
52
45
Average Weekly Wage
$510
$739
Government (Federal, State, and Local)
Average Employment
28
38
Average Weekly Wage
$339
$446
Total, Private plus Government
Average Employment
79
82
Average Weekly Wage
$451
$604
n = indicates that the data does not meet disclosure standards
EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Schools students attend:
New Castle operates grades K-6; grades 7-12 are tuitioned to Portsmouth
District: SAU 50
Career Technology Center(s):
Portsmouth High School
Region: 19
Educational Facilities
Elementary
Middle/Junior High
High School
Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
1
Grade Levels
K 1-6
Total Enrollment
63
NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2003:
Total Facilities:0
Total Capacity:0
Nearest Community/Technical College:Stratham
Nearest Colleges or Universities:McIntosh; Hesser; University of NH
LARGEST EMPLOYERS
PRODUCT/SERVICE
EMPLOYEES
ESTABLISHED
Wentworth Hotel
Hotel/Spa
100
Wentworth Marina
Marina
12
TRANSPORTATION
Road Access
Federal Routes
State Routes
IB
Nearest Interstate, Exit
I-95, Exit 3
Distance
3 miles
Railroad
No
Public Transportation
No
Nearest Airport
Pease
Runway
11,321 feet
Lighted?
Yes
Navigational Aids?
Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport
Pease
Distance
6 miles
Driving distance to selected cities:
Manchester, NH
46 miles
Portland, ME
53 miles
Boston, MA
59 miles
New York City, NY
266 miles
Montreal, Quebec
302 miles
COMMUTING TO WORK
(US Census)
Workers 16 years and over
Drove alone, car/truck/van
79.2%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
6.9%
Public transportation
0.4%
Walked
2.4%
Other Means
2.0%
Worked at home
9.1%
Mean Travel Time to Work
25.5 minutes
Percent of Working Residents
Working in community of residence
16%
Commuting to another NH community
68%
Commuting out-of-state
16%
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
X
Municipal Parks
YMCA/YWCA
Boys Club/Girls Club
Golf Courses
Swimming: Indoor Facility
Swimming: Outdoor Facility
X
Tennis Courts: Indoor Faclity
Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility
Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility
Bowling Facilities
Museums
Cinemas
Performing Arts Facilities
X
Tourists Attractions
Youth Organizations (i.e., Scouts, 4-H)
Youth Sports: Baseball
Youth Sports: Soccer
Youth Sports: Football
Youth Sports: Basketball
Youth Sports: Hockey
Campgrounds
Fishing/Hunting
X
Boating/Marinas
Snowmobile Trails
Bicycle Trails
Cross Country Skiing
X
Beach or Waterfront Recreational Area
Nearest Ski Area(s): Gunstock
Other: Fort Constitution & Fort Stark
Copyright 2004 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 06/22/04
All information regarding the communities is from sources deemed reliable and is submitted subject to errors, omissions, modifications, and withdrawals without notice. No warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy of the information contained herein. Specific questions regarding individual cities and towns should be directed to the community contact.
