Gilmanton is a small town in Belknap County, in the Laconia metropolitan area. The town was home to the large Gilman family, of which there were 24 members receiving land grants, and it was originally called Gilmantown. At one time it was the second-largest town in the state, after Portsmouth. The town was at that time much larger than it is now, and included Belmont, Gilford, and Lakeport, among others.
Location
Gilmanton is 9 miles southeast of Laconia. It is 10 miles northwest of Pittsfield, and 10 miles northeast of Loudon. The nearest city with a population over 50,000 is Manchester, a 30 minute drive from Gilmanton. Boston is 80 miles away.
Airports
Manchester Airport is 34 miles from Gilmanton, and is the primary facility for residents of Belknap County.
Pease International Tradeport is 50 miles away, in Portsmouth.
Hanscom Field is 67 miles from Gilmanton, in Bedford Massachusetts.
Terrain
Gilmanton has a total land area of 59.1 square miles. Water accounts for 3.3% of the total area.
Crystal Lake is in the eastern portion of the city, and Shellcamp Pond is in the west. The elevation of Gilmanton is 998 feet.
Population
In July of 2004, the estimated population of Gilmanton was 3,455 people.
Approximately 88% of the adult residents have completed high school, and over 25% have a bachelor’s degree. 10% of the adult population has attained a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs
Gilmanton is located close enough to Concord and Manchester that residents can commute for plentiful job opportunities.
The major industries providing employment in Gilmanton are education, health and social services (19.3%), manufacturing (14.8%), retail trade (12.7%), and construction (11.3%). The average commute for Gilmanton residents is 30 minutes.
Colleges/Universities
The colleges and universities nearest to Gilmanton, with an enrollment of more than 2000, (in order of proximity) are: New Hampshire College, Plymouth State College, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, Northern Essex Community College, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, and Dartmouth College, in Hanover New Hampshire.
Housing
There is a variety of real estate offerings currently on the Gilmanton market. Land for development (3+ acres) is selling for less than $100,000, and both classic New England colonials and newly constructed single-family homes are starting in the low $200,000’s. Early 19th century homes with acreage and larger single family homes start in the low $300,000’s.
Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
There are numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Gilmanton area. Belknap Mountain State Forest, Meadow Pond State Park, Page State Forest, and Sanborn State Forest are all nearby.
Great golfing is only 10 miles away, at either the Laconia Country Club or the Lakeview Golf Club, both of which are semi-private courses, or at the Loudon Country Club, which has an 18-hole public course.
Special Event
Gilmanton is home to the Annual Warren Nighswander Gilmanton 5K road race, which had its inaugural event in 1999. It is a benefit race for the Gilmanton Youth Organization, and a local school’s all-weather track fund.
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