This article shows U.S. Census totals for Belknap County, New Hampshire, broken down by municipality, from 1900 to 2000.

Like most areas of New England

New England

New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...

, Belknap County

Belknap County, New Hampshire

-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 56,325 people, 22,459 households, and 15,496 families residing in the county. The population density was 140 people per square mile . There were 32,121 housing units at an average density of 80 per square mile...

 is (and has been at all times since well before the 20th century) entirely divided into incorporated municipalities. There is no unincorporated territory. For any census, adding up the totals for each municipality should yield the county total.

There are two types of incorporated municipalities in New Hampshire, towns

New England town

The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...

 and cities. The tables below differentiate between towns and cities.

For more information on the New England municipal system, see New England town.

Corporate changes since 1900

There have been no changes in Belknap County’s municipality roster since 1900.

1900

County Total: 19,526

• Laconia
  Laconia, New Hampshire
  As of the census of 2000, there were 16,411 people, 6,724 households, and 4,168 families residing in the city. The population density was 809.3 people per square mile . There were 8,554 housing units at an average density of 421.8 per square mile...
  
   (city) 8,042
• Tilton
  Tilton, New Hampshire
  Tilton is a town located on the Winnipesaukee River in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,567 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of Lochmere. Tilton is home to the Tilton School, a private preparatory school.-History:...
  
   1,926
• Meredith
  Meredith, New Hampshire
  Meredith is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 6,241 at the 2010 census. Meredith is situated beside Lake Winnipesaukee. It is home to Stonedam Island Natural Area and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad...
  
   1,713
• Alton
  Alton, New Hampshire
  Alton is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,250 at the 2010 census. It is home to Alton Bay State Forest and Mount Major State Forest. Alton includes the village of Alton Bay, a long-time resort located beside Lake Winnipesaukee.The primary settlement in...
  
   1,500
• Belmont
  Belmont, New Hampshire
  Belmont is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 7,356 at the 2010 census.The primary settlement in town, where 1,301 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined by the U.S...
  
   1,294
• Gilmanton
  Gilmanton, New Hampshire
  Gilmanton is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,777 at the 2010 census. Gilmanton includes the villages of Gilmanton Corner and Gilmanton Ironworks...
  
   1,100
• Barnstead
  Barnstead, New Hampshire
  Barnstead is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,593 at the 2010 census. Home to the Suncook Lakes, Barnstead includes the villages of Center Barnstead, Barnstead Parade and South Barnstead.-History:The town was granted by Governor William Dummer in 1727 to...
  
   1,072
• Sanbornton
  Sanbornton, New Hampshire
  Sanbornton is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,966 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of North Sanbornton and Gaza.-History:...
  
   944
• New Hampton
  New Hampton, New Hampshire
  New Hampton is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,165 at the 2010 census. A winter sports resort area, New Hampton is home to George Duncan State Forest and to the New Hampton School, a private preparatory school established in 1821.The primary village in...
  
   852
• Gilford
  Gilford, New Hampshire
  Gilford is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 7,126 at the 2010 census. Situated on Lake Winnipesaukee, Gilford is home to Governors Island, Ellacoya State Beach, Belknap Mountain State Forest, Gunstock Mountain Ski Resort, and Meadowbrook U.S...
  
   661
• Center Harbor
  Center Harbor, New Hampshire
  Center Harbor is a town located in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 1,096, a number which multiplies severalfold during the summer months. It is situated between Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam Lake.- History :Center Harbor...
  
  422

1910

County Total: 21,309

• Laconia (city) 10,183
• Tilton 1,866
• Meredith 1,638
• Belmont 1,390
• Alton 1,348
• Barnstead 1,081
• Gilmanton 968
• Sanbornton 850
• New Hampton 821
• Gilford 744
• Center Harbor 420

1920

County Total: 21,178

• Laconia (city) 10,897
• Tilton 2,014
• Meredith 1,680
• Alton 1,221
• Belmont 1,194
• Barnstead 873
• Gilmanton 814
• Gilford 738
• New Hampton 708
• Sanbornton 617
• Center Harbor 422

1930

County Total: 22,623

• Laconia (city) 12,471
• Meredith 1,902
• Tilton 1,712
• Belmont 1,299
• Alton 1,261
• Barnstead 791
• Gilford 783
• New Hampton 692
• Gilmanton 676
• Sanbornton 654
• Center Harbor 382

1940

County Total: 24,328

• Laconia (city) 13,484
• Meredith 2,192
• Tilton 1,738
• Belmont 1,374
• Alton 1,209
• Gilford 996
• Barnstead 804
• New Hampton 791
• Gilmanton 708
• Sanbornton 677
• Center Harbor 355

1950

County Total: 26,632

• Laconia (city) 14,745
• Meredith 2,222
• Tilton 2,085
• Belmont 1,611
• Gilford 1,251
• Alton 1,189
• Barnstead 846
• Sanbornton 755
• Gilmanton 754
• New Hampton 723
• Center Harbor 451

1960

County Total: 28,912

• Laconia (city) 15,288
• Meredith 2,434
• Tilton 2,137
• Gilford 2,043
• Belmont 1,953
• Alton 1,241
• New Hampton 862
• Sanbornton 857
• Barnstead 850
• Gilmanton 736
• Center Harbor 511

1970

County Total: 32,367

• Laconia (city) 14,888
• Gilford 3,219
• Meredith 2,904
• Tilton 2,579
• Belmont 2,493
• Alton 1,647
• Barnstead 1,119
• Sanbornton 1,022
• Gilmanton 1,010
• New Hampton 946
• Center Harbor 540

1980

County Total: 42,884

• Laconia (city) 15,575
• Gilford 4,841
• Meredith 4,646
• Belmont 4,026
• Tilton 3,387
• Alton 2,440
• Barnstead 2,292
• Gilmanton 1,941
• Sanbornton 1,679
• New Hampton 1,249
• Center Harbor 808

1990

County Total: 49,216

• Laconia (city) 15,743
• Gilford 5,867
• Belmont 5,796
• Meredith 4,837
• Alton 3,286
• Tilton 3,240
• Barnstead 3,100
• Gilmanton 2,609
• Sanbornton 2,136
• New Hampton 1,606
• Center Harbor 996

2000

County Total: 56,325

• Laconia (city) 16,411
• Gilford 6,803
• Belmont 6,716
• Meredith 5,943
• Alton 4,502
• Barnstead 3,886
• Tilton 3,477
• Gilmanton 3,060
• Sanbornton 2,581
• New Hampton 1,950
• Center Harbor 996