Alton Community contact:
Town of Alton
Board of Selectmen
Town Administrator Russell Bailey
P.O.Box 659, Main St., Alton, NH 03809
Telephone: (603) 875-2161
Fax: (603) 569-38894
Zipcodes: Alton 03809; Alton Bay 03810
E-mail: alton@worldpath.net
Town website
Town office hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:30-4:30
Town Clerk: (603) 875-2101, Mon. - Fri. 8:30-4:30
County: Belknap
Population: 2020 Census: From 2000 - 2020 grew to 5,894, adding 1,392 residents. Median age of Alton residents - 49.6, with 16.2% under 18 and 22.4% 65 & older. The total number of households - 2,134, with av. size 2.73 persons. 92% of residents own their home.
Area: 63.9.3 square miles of land area and 19.3 square miles of inland water area.
Origin: Originally called New Durham Gore because of Mount Major’s rocky terrain, the town was settled by a group from Roxbury, Mass. The name Roxbury (NH) had already been used, so the town was named for the Alton family. The town fronts Alton Bay, the southeastern point of Lake Winnipesaukee, and its 19.3 square miles of inland water area is the largest of any in New Hampshire. Alton was incorporated in 1796. The area features small cottages and motels, catering to a quiet stay on the lake. The old railway station, once a hub of activity, is the information center for the community.
Alton Community
Median income: Per capital income in 2000 was $25,940 and median 4-person family income was $46,467. Median household income was $43,451.
Tax Information: Annual Budget for 2004 is $5,979,463. and 2003 tax rate was $16.84.
Selectmen: Elected.
Planning Board: Elected.
Planning Administrator: Lakes Region Planning Commission
Zoning Ordinance: 1970 and 2002; Master Plan in 2002.
Police Department: Full time; Alton Police Dept. Depot Street; Kevin Iwans; (603) 875-3752.
Fire Dept.: Volunteer Alton Fire & Rescue, Route 140, P.O. Box 472, full time Chief Alan Johnson 875-0222.
Rescue: Commercial and volunteer; nearest hospital is Huggins in Wolfeboro.
Utilities: PSNH; NH Electric, Wolfeboro electric; Water - Alton Waste Works; private septic systems; private curbside trash pickup; mandatory recycling program, Cable TV access - Adelphia.
Schools: SAU 72, P.O. Box 120 Alton, NH 03809; 875-7890, Fax 875-0391; Alton Central School, P.O. Box 910, School St. 875-7500; Fax 875-0380. In 2004 students will attend Prospect Mountain High School, a cooperative school between Alton and Barnstead. District students now attend Alton Central School, a kindergarten through grade 12 facility, all under one roof, or travel for vocational classes to the Region 9 Vocational Center at Kingswood Regional High School in Wolfeboro. The nearest community/technical college is Laconia and the nearest colleges are the University of NH in Durham and McIntosh college in Dover.
Alton Recreation: Director Kellie Troendle; Municipal Parks, outdoor swimming facility; outdoor tennis courts; museums; tourist attractions; youth organizations (i.e., Scouts, 4-H); youth sports - basketball; campgrounds; fishing/hunting; boating/marinas; snowmobile trails; cross country skiing. Nearest ski area, Gunstock in Gilford.
Special Events: From May though mid-October the M/S Mount Washington steams into Alton Bay to pick up passengers for a scenic cruise around the lake, 366-5531; summer concerts in the bandstand, fairs and other activities at the Bay.
Tourism Region: Distance to: Manchester, NH 39 mi.; Portland, ME 88 mi., Boston 91 mi., NYC 299 mi., Montreal, Quebec 255 mi.
Largest Employers: Alton School Department, Town of Alton, McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Water Industries, Hillsgrove Macbine, Alton Service Center and RF Plante Company