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A community’s economic structure is determined by the way in which local residents, visitors; businesses and even town government earn and expend their incomes. The economy’s individual sectors are each independent and interactive with one another. The success of one or a number of businesses impacts the well-being of all. The availability of good employment opportunities provides income to the local labor force and can serve as a stimulus for new growth. The growth kindles increased housing demand, construction activity, and demand for goods and services. The prosperity of a town depends on the number, type and wages of jobs available to its residents, as well as the quality of commercial enterprises which can survive there. An economically depressed area would be characterized by a high unemployment rate, low wages, lack of opportunities for advancement, poor community facilities and services (low income residents cannot pay high taxes), scarcity of good commercial enterprises (which rely on a population with adequate disposable income) and a low standard of living. Conversely, a healthy economy is one based on growth: it is comprised of businesses with a good future, offers jobs with good wages and opportunities for advancement and has a strong tax base. Population Historic Population Change Table 2-1 on the following page compares the historical population growth of the Town of Waterville Valley, Grafton County and the State of New Hampshire from 1790 to 2000. First settled in the 1760’s, Waterville Valley has long been a popular New Hampshire resort area. Incorporated in 1829 as Waterville, it was a thriving town, but lost population over the years and then lost land when the White Mountain National Forest was established. Between 1820 and 1960 the land around Waterville Valley was used for timber related industries. In 1870 and 1960 the land around Waterville Valley was used for timber related industries. In 1870, the New Hampshire Land Company bought up all the land outside the village area for timber speculation. Between 1880 and 1898, the White Mountain Paper Company began timber harvesting and using the Mad River for log driving. During this time, Waterville Valley was more of a logging camp than a commun8ity and had an average population of 50 people. Between 1926 and 1928 the Woodstock Lumber Company cut 40 million cords of softwood, and 3 million board feet of hardwood. As a result of this activity, the population rose to almost 100 prior to the 1930’s. In 1928, the U.S. Forest Service managed the woodlands around Waterville Valley for recreation, wildlife and timber. During this period, Waterville Valley’s average population was 20. In 1936, the Forest Service built the first ski trail in Waterville Valley. In 1952, Waterville Valley Lift Company was issued a special permit for construction of a small ski area on the North West shoulder of Snow’s Mountain and in 1960 this permit expanded. In 1967, by an act of the General Court, the town officially adopted the name Waterville Valley. A 1968 special permit was issued which allowed expansion and covered both ski areas. Because of these developments, Waterville Valley’s population grew considerably between 1960 and 1970, increasing 87.15%, from 14 to 109 residents. During the period between 1970 and 1980 Waterville Valley’s population increased to 180 people. From 1980 to 1990 population increased to 211 residents. In 1990 Grafton County’s population was 74,919, while the State of New Hampshire recorded a population of 1,103,163. Table 2-1 Population Change Waterville Valley, Grafton County, State of New Hampshire
Source: New Hampshire’s Population, 1767-2000, New Hampshire Office of State Planning.
New Hampshire, Office of State Planning; http://www.state.nh./osp/sdc/sdc.html *Data not available **2000 US Census http://www.state.nh.us/osp/sdc/58/Grafton/Waterville Valley town.pdf Recent Population Change Table 2-2 identifies recent (1990-2000) population change for Waterville Valley, Grafton County and New Hampshire. From 1990 to 2000, population in Waterville Valley grew by 41.47 percent, the 5th highest percent increase among the cities and towns of New Hampshire. The town added 107 residents for a total of 258. The town is one of 55 communities in New Hampshire with a population under 1,000. The population density equals 4.0 persons per square mile of land area. Waterville Valley contains 64.4 square miles of land area and 0.02 square miles of inland water area. From 1990 to 2000 Grafton County’s population increased by 5.8% from 74,929 to 79,265. The State of New Hampshire’s population increases throughout the 10-year period peaking at 1,201,000 a 5.8% increase. Table 2-3 identifies the top 5 municipalities ranked in percent of change from 1990-2000. Table 2-2 Population Change 1990-2000 Waterville Valley, Grafton County, State of New Hampshire
Source: http://www.state.nh.us/osp/sdc/58/Grafton/Grafton County.pdf http://www.state.nh.us/osp/sdc/58/Grafton/Waterville Valley town.pdf http://www.nhes.state.nu.us/elmi/communpro.htm Table 2-3 Population Change 1990-2000 NH Municipalities – Rank Order by Percent Growth
Source: http://www.state.nh.us/osp/sdc/sdc.html Population Age Groups Different age groups demand various services from a community. Table 2-4 breaks down Waterville valley’s population by age for the 1990 & 2000 Census. According to the 2000 Census the median age is 42.09, with 23.26 percent of the population under the age of 18 and 14.73 percent age 65 and older. The age group 5-17 is further demonstrated in Table 2-5, Waterville Valley School Enrollments. Table 2-4 Population Change by Age Groups Census 1990 Census 2000
Source: http://www.census.gov http://www.nhes.state.nh.us/elmi/communpro.htm Table 2-5 Waterville Valley School Enrollments
Source: Superintendent’s Office SAU 48, John True, Superintendent WVES, School Records, Gail Hannigan Principal
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© 2006 Town of Waterville Valley • PO BOX 500 • WATERVILLE VALLEY, NH 03215 • (603) 236-4730 • info@watervillevalley.org