Freedom is a town located in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,303 at the 2000 census. The New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning estimated its 2007 population at 1,410. The town's eastern boundary runs along the Maine state border. Ossipee Lake, with a resort and camps, is in the southwest of the town.

History

The town was once a part of Effingham called "North Effingham". Following an influx of new settlers from Maine, there was a conflict of culture and religion between them and people from the New Hampshire seacoast area who already populated Effingham. As a result, North Effingham separated into a town of its own. The community, incorporated in 1831, was appropriately named "Freedom".

The town has been the setting for a couple of stories, including the children's fantasy book called The Enormous Egg, first published in 1956 but reissued years later (ISBN 0-316-11920-2). Freedom was also the setting for a 2001 broadcast of This American Life, entitled "The House at Loon Lake". That episode depicted an abandoned house explored by young boys, in town for summer camp at Loon Lake.

Notable Residents

• Frank S. Black, governor of New York (summer resident)

Geography

Freedom is situated between the Lakes Region and the White Mountains. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 38.0 square miles (98 km2), of which 34.7 sq mi (90 km2) is land and 3.3 sq mi (8.5 km2) is water, comprising 8.75% of the town. The highest point in the town is the summit of Cragged Mountain, at 1,806 feet (550 m) above sea level. Freedom is drained by the Ossipee River and lies fully within the Saco River watershed.

Freedom is one of several sites for Nature's Classroom. It is also home to one of the permanent campsites of the Luethi-Peterson Camps and to Cragged Mountain Farm, a co-ed summer camp on Cragged Mountain started by Dr. Henry Utter in 1927, and still owned by the Utter family.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,303 people, 602 households, and 402 families residing in the town. The population density was 37.6 people per square mile (14.5/km²). There were 1,406 housing units at an average density of 40.6/sq mi (15.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.16% White, 0.15% African American, 0.08% Asian, and 0.61% from two or more races.

There were 602 households out of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.60.

In the town the population was spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 3.1% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 32.1% from 45 to 64, and 24.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $40,188, and the median income for a family was $49,167. Males had a median income of $32,150 versus $26,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,036. About 4.6% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older.

Sites of interest

• Allard House & Works Museum, Freedom Historical Society

External links

• Town website
• New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile
• Traffic volume report, New Hampshire Department of Transportation
• 1958 USGS area map (JPEG), University of New Hampshire Library
• Freedom Public Library
• Freedom Old Home Week

Freedom NH  Home $689,000.00 This wonderful waterfront property overlooks Broad Bay on Ossipee Lake and has 440 feet of shoreline. The 4 season home is situated on a wooded lot creating natural privacy with lovely views of the water and mountains. The home is spacious, warm, & inviting with 2 fireplaces for indoor entertaini ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $629,000.00 Beautifully restored 1800's cape on 18 private, pastoral acres with views. Many orig. features incld pumpkin pine flooring, wainscoting, 2 fireplaces. 1st floor master bedroom/bath, finished basement family room. Pond, pasture, stonewalls, riding ring, carriage barn. 2nd drive to 32 x 36 foundation ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $619,900.00 SANDY BEACH ON OSSIPEE LAKE WITH BREATHTAKING MOUNTAIN VIEWS. BORDERS 232 ACRES OF THE NATURE CONSERVANCY LAND THAT ENSURES PRIVACY. SAIL, HIKE, KAYAK OR JUST RELAX ON THE BEACH! NEW SEASONAL DOCK. Abuts another 1.5 acre parcel for sale. See MLS #4019874 ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $579,900.00 Excellent Ossipee Lakefront opportunity. This is two homes, a seasonal 2 BR lakefront cottage on Berry Bay and a very spacious contemporary. Features lge. master BR suite, gas peninsula fireplace, large hot tub, attached 2 car garage + add'l garage, ideal for snowmobile storage. Low taxes, priced be ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $569,000.00 This is the waterfront home you have been waiting for! Newly built in 2004. This quality built Ossipee Lakefront has ceramic floors, wide plank Oak floors, custom birch cabinets, fully applianced, sunny porch with Mahogany floors, 2nd floor Master bedroom overlooking the lake with balcony. Beautiful ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $549,900.00 BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY HOME SET ON 11+ ACRES of woods and fenced pasture with mountain and lake views. Home restored to near original with exposed beams and multiple fireplaces and bake ovens yet modernized to include central air and supplemental outdoor wood furnace heating system. Enjoy relaxing on eit ... Read More! Freedom NH  MULTI $499,000.00 Currently part of a private summer camp for children, this property has been used for almost 60 years to house camp staff families. The 7 units are seasonal and have never been rented. The waterfront is all sand and the lot is very private. The property is priced well below the assessed value of $63 ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $499,000.00 Level lot with 174 feet of waterfront on Ossipee Lake with southwesteern exposure. The property currently has 7 seasonal apartments but could be used as a house lot (very private)and has a good foot print to build on or could be converted into a single family home. ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $499,000.00 Ossipee Lake's Beautiful Broad Bay. Here is a classic, solid,4 season cottage with a great "Lake Feel" and nice front porch overlooking the bay and Loon Island.Nice private wooded lot. The owner has taken very good care of this home with many updates over the years. There are two bedrooms and two ba ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $435,000.00 Very comfortable 4 season Ossipee Lakefront cottage on the channel. Just minutes from the main lake. Beautiful flat sandy beach, boat dock, nice deck plus wonderful porch. New siding and windows, large 2nd floor set up for lots of sleeping capacity. Ready for fun...just move in! ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $427,000.00 Spectacular views abound from this beautiful home on possibly the highest point of land in Freedom. 5 outbuildings, plus a huge barn. Restore this home to its original splendor and own a magnificent property to use for your horses, retreat, family compound, or Bed and Breakfast-the possibilities ar ... Read More! Freedom NH  LAND $409,900.00 Magnificent mountain views, sandy beach with 100' of waterfront on Ossipee Lake. Wonderful lake for kayaking, sailing or just relaxing on the beach. Great hiking nearby in the 232 acre Ossipee Pine Barrens conservation land. Best lot on the lake! Abuts 4.5 acre parcel for sale. See MLS #4019834 ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $399,500.00 COMPLETELY RENOVATED NEW ENGLAND FARMHOUSE charmingly set on 6.5+/- acres of woods and fields. Gorgeous views of Mount Chocorua from nearly every room. Top quality materials used such as wide plank, old growth, heart pine Carlisle flooring, slate kitchen countertops, Pella windows and iron wood deck ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $399,000.00 GORGEOUS WIDE EXPANSE OF SANDY BEACH looking out over Broad Bay and the mountains of Ossipee Lake. Home has seen substantial improvements since 2007 including a poured concrete foundation, insulation, new windows, roofing, wiring and plumbing. Septic and well have also been upgraded. Lower walk-out ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $364,900.00 What is better then affordable waterfront living? The feelings you get when over looking Round Pond and Loon Lake as the sun goes down are priceless. Large cozy rooms, wide pine floors and exposed hand planed beams. New windows and new paint on house and deck. The ultimate venue for entertaining. Li ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $329,000.00 Deeded Osssipee lake beach access just a short distance away! This comfortable ,traditional cape style "Lincoln log " home is set on 3.96 beautiful acres with lots of privacy. Enjoy the wonderful large screen porch and deck off the back. Huge livingroom with vaulted ceilings with brick hearth and wo ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $299,000.00 Classic Ossipee Lake front, seasonal cottage, located on a flat lot, on the channel between Leavitt Bay and Berry Bay in Freedom. Features wonderful screened in porch overlooking the lake. 3 bedrooms, plus a bunk house for the kids. This is a very solid structure owned by the same family for over ... Read More! Freedom NH  LAND $285,000.00 Beautiful Penninsula on Danforth Bay with Access to Lake Ossipee. This rustic log cabin has 700 ft of waterfrontage. Views of the water from all locations as you have frontage on three sides. Cabin is 21 X 10 but also includes an two seater outhouse. Come and camp or build your own dream... ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $285,000.00 Beautiful Penninsula on Danforth Bay with Access to Lake Ossipee. This rustic log cabin has 700 ft of waterfrontage. Views of the water from all locations as you have frontage on three sides. Cabin is 21 X 10 but also includes an two seater outhouse. Come and camp or build your own dream... ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $285,000.00 Classic, cozy waterfront cottage with knotty pine, screen porch overlooking the lake, nice 100 feet of frontage on quiet Danforth Bay with sandy beach, and boat house at waters edge. This is the way it used to be! ... Read More! Freedom NH  Home $285,000.00 Newly built only (4 years old) 3 bedroom 3 bath home with IT'S OWN 50ft waterfront lot on Spindle Point Broad Bay just a short drive down the road with boat dock!. This home has master bedroom with bath, open concept living/dining/kitchen area, finished basement with family room, woodstove and addit ... Read More!