North Conway, New Hampshire

{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = North Conway, New Hampshire |settlement_type = Census-designated place |nickname = |motto = |image_skyline = North Conway Main Street 5.JPG |imagesize = |image_caption = Buildings in downtown North Conway |image_flag = |image_seal = |pushpin_map = New Hampshire#USA |pushpin_label = North Conway |pushpin_label_position = bottom |pushpin_mapsize =  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = New Hampshire |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Carroll |subdivision_type3 = Town |subdivision_name3 = Conway  |established_title = |established_date = |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name =  |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref> |area_total_km2 = 18.02 |area_land_km2 = 17.65 |area_water_km2 = 0.37 |area_total_sq_mi = 6.96 |area_land_sq_mi = 6.82 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.14  |population_as_of = 2020 |population_total = 2116 |population_footnotes = |population_density_km2 = 119.89 |population_density_sq_mi = 310.49  |timezone = Eastern (EST) |utc_offset = -5 |timezone_DST = EDT |utc_offset_DST = -4 |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |elevation_ft = 581 |coordinates = {{coord|44|03|13|N|71|07|42|W|region:US_type:city|display=it}}<ref>{{Cite gnis|872395|North Conway Populated Place}}</ref>  |postal_code_type = ZIP codes |postal_code = 03860 (North Conway)<br/>03847 (Kearsarge) |area_code = 603 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 33-53860 |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2378085<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2378085}}</ref> |website = {{URL|http://www.conwaynh.org}} |footnotes = }} '''North Conway''' is a census-designated place (CDP) and village in eastern Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,116 at the 2020 census.<ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US3353860&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=North Conway CDP, New Hampshire: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=November 2, 2021}}</ref> A year-round resort area, North Conway is the second-largest village within the town of Conway, after the village of Conway proper. North Conway maintains its own fire station, post office and public library, sharing its other services with Conway. The White Mountain National Forest is to the west and north. The area is home to Cathedral Ledge (popular with climbers), Echo Lake State Park, and Cranmore Mountain Resort. North Conway is known for its large number of outlet shops. [[File:North_Conway_Village,_New_Hampshire.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of North Conway and Mount Cranmore ]]

==History== {{Unsourced|section|date=March 2026}} <gallery class="center" widths="300px"> ConwayScenic.jpg|North Conway station </gallery> [[Image:Mount Washington, from the Conway Road.jpg|thumb|Mount Washington in 1872]] thumb|Aerial view of North Conway in 1921 Chartered in 1765 by colonial Governor Benning Wentworth, the town is named for Henry Seymour Conway, ambitious son of a prominent English family, who was elected to the House of Commons at age 20, fought at Culloden, and became Secretary of State. Early settlers called the area Pequawket (known colloquially as "Pigwacket"), adopting the name of the Abenaki Indian village which stretched down the Saco River to its stockaded center at Fryeburg, Maine.

North Conway is in the White Mountains, with Mount Washington to the northwest. The rugged terrain became popular in the 19th century with artists. Their paintings were known collectively as White Mountain art, which in turn attracted tourists to the area, particularly after the Portsmouth, Great Falls & Conway Railroad extended service in 1872 to North Conway. In 1874, the line built a Second Empire depot, designed by Nathaniel J. Bradlee. In 1932, "snow trains" began carrying enthusiasts to "the birthplace of American skiing", as North Conway is known.{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}}

==Recreation== thumb|left|Cathedral Ledge in 1914 North Conway and its surrounding towns offer hiking in the White Mountain National Forest. The area is a major rock climbing destination in the northeastern United States,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dartmouth.edu/~doc/climbing/cathedralwhitehorse/| title=Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges| publisher=Dartmouth Outing Club| access-date=June 22, 2010}}</ref> particularly Cathedral Ledge in Echo Lake State Park. The {{convert|500|ft|m|adj=on}} cliff overlooks Echo Lake and North Conway from the west. Unlike nearby White Horse Ledge, another rock climbing site, Cathedral Ledge has an automobile road to the summit, which provides fine views of the Saco River Valley.

In late September through early October, tourists arrive to see the autumn foliage on the surrounding mountains and forests. The Conway Scenic Railroad features train rides that leave from the village's Victorian station.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Amadon|first=Ron|date=July 23, 1977|title=A Nostalgic Train Ride|work=The Telegraph|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VI1jAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA15|access-date=October 13, 2021}}</ref> In the winter, the village is the nighttime destination for skiers visiting the area resorts, including North Conway's own Cranmore Mountain as well as nearby Attitash Mountain Resort, Black Mountain and Wildcat Mountain.

North Conway is home to the Green Hills Preserve. The preserve encompasses several mountains in the Mt. Washington Valley, and is a low north–south running mountain ridge flanking the east side of Route 16. The preserve includes Rattlesnake Mountain, Middle Mountain, Peaked Mountain, and Black Cap mountain.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.geocities.ws/lynnfieldscouts/Hike_Black_Cap.html | title = Black Cap | date = 2002-07-24 | work = Boy Scout Troop 49 | location = Lynnfield, Massachusetts}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.openworldexplorers.com/pudding-pond-loop-nature-walk.html | title = Pudding Pond Loop Nature Walk | work = Open World Explorers}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.conwaydailysun.com/news/green-hills-preserve-grows-by-acres/article_71e919d9-4f1d-5c72-b5e2-281178cd64d6.html | title = Green Hills Preserve grows by 1,300 acres | date = 2014-11-13 | work = Conway Daily Sun}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.bridgton.com/freedom-of-the-hills-black-cap-mountain | title = Freedom of the Hills: Black Cap Mountain | date = 2012-05-17 | work = Bridgton News}}</ref>

==Geography== North Conway is located in the northern part of the town of Conway.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the North Conway census-designated place (CDP) includes the village of North Conway plus the Conway portion of the neighboring community of Kearsarge. The CDP has a total area of {{convert|18.0|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|17.7|sqkm|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|0.4|km2|order=flip|1}}, or 2.04%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021">{{cite web |title=2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files – New Hampshire |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2021_Gazetteer/2021_gaz_place_33.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 2, 2021}}</ref> The Saco River forms the western edge of the North Conway CDP.

===Climate=== {{Weather box |location = North Conway, New Hampshire (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1959–present) |single line = Y |collapsed = Y |Jan record high F = 61 |Feb record high F = 71 |Mar record high F = 85 |Apr record high F = 92 |May record high F = 98 |Jun record high F = 102 |Jul record high F = 100 |Aug record high F = 103 |Sep record high F = 98 |Oct record high F = 88 |Nov record high F = 78 |Dec record high F = 71 |Jan avg record high F = 49.4 |Feb avg record high F = 52.7 |Mar avg record high F = 61.6 |Apr avg record high F = 78.6 |May avg record high F = 87.8 |Jun avg record high F = 91.9 |Jul avg record high F = 92.3 |Aug avg record high F = 90.6 |Sep avg record high F = 86.7 |Oct avg record high F = 75.7 |Nov avg record high F = 65.4 |Dec avg record high F = 52.9 |year avg record high F= 94.9 |Jan high F = 30.0 |Feb high F = 33.4 |Mar high F = 41.7 |Apr high F = 55.1 |May high F = 67.8 |Jun high F = 76.2 |Jul high F = 81.4 |Aug high F = 79.9 |Sep high F = 72.3 |Oct high F = 58.7 |Nov high F = 46.2 |Dec high F = 35.6 |year high F= |Jan mean F = 19.9 |Feb mean F = 22.3 |Mar mean F = 31.1 |Apr mean F = 43.2 |May mean F = 55.4 |Jun mean F = 64.6 |Jul mean F = 69.7 |Aug mean F = 67.9 |Sep mean F = 60.0 |Oct mean F = 47.7 |Nov mean F = 36.8 |Dec mean F = 26.6 |year mean F= |Jan low F = 9.9 |Feb low F = 11.1 |Mar low F = 20.4 |Apr low F = 31.3 |May low F = 43.0 |Jun low F = 53.1 |Jul low F = 58.0 |Aug low F = 55.9 |Sep low F = 47.7 |Oct low F = 36.6 |Nov low F = 27.3 |Dec low F = 17.7 |year low F= |Jan avg record low F = -9.4 |Feb avg record low F = -6.9 |Mar avg record low F = 0.2 |Apr avg record low F = 20.7 |May avg record low F = 29.7 |Jun avg record low F = 41.1 |Jul avg record low F = 48.5 |Aug avg record low F = 45.9 |Sep avg record low F = 33.5 |Oct avg record low F = 24.6 |Nov avg record low F = 13.2 |Dec avg record low F = 0.1 |year avg record low F= -12.0 |Jan record low F = -34 |Feb record low F = -34 |Mar record low F = -22 |Apr record low F = 0 |May record low F = 18 |Jun record low F = 29 |Jul record low F = 33 |Aug record low F = 26 |Sep record low F = 20 |Oct record low F = 10 |Nov record low F = -4 |Dec record low F = -24 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 3.60 |Feb precipitation inch = 3.18 |Mar precipitation inch = 3.67 |Apr precipitation inch = 4.41 |May precipitation inch = 3.68 |Jun precipitation inch = 4.53 |Jul precipitation inch = 4.50 |Aug precipitation inch = 4.39 |Sep precipitation inch = 3.67 |Oct precipitation inch = 5.46 |Nov precipitation inch = 4.47 |Dec precipitation inch = 4.55 |Jan snow inch = 20.1 |Feb snow inch = 21.8 |Mar snow inch = 15.9 |Apr snow inch = 4.5 |May snow inch = 0.0 |Jun snow inch = 0.0 |Jul snow inch = 0.0 |Aug snow inch = 0.0 |Sep snow inch = 0.0 |Oct snow inch = 0.3 |Nov snow inch = 4.5 |Dec snow inch = 16.9 |year snow inch = 84.0 |unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |unit snow days = 0.1 in |Jan precipitation days = 11.2 |Feb precipitation days = 9.3 |Mar precipitation days = 10.4 |Apr precipitation days = 11.3 |May precipitation days = 13.4 |Jun precipitation days = 14.0 |Jul precipitation days = 13.5 |Aug precipitation days = 11.4 |Sep precipitation days = 10.5 |Oct precipitation days = 12.8 |Nov precipitation days = 11.5 |Dec precipitation days = 12.4 |year precipitation days= |Jan snow days = 9.7 |Feb snow days = 8.0 |Mar snow days = 6.9 |Apr snow days = 2.3 |May snow days = 0.0 |Jun snow days = 0.0 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.0 |Oct snow days = 0.1 |Nov snow days = 2.7 |Dec snow days = 8.1 |year snow days= |Jan snow depth inch = 16.2 |Feb snow depth inch = 23.2 |Mar snow depth inch = 20.8 |Apr snow depth inch = 7.8 |May snow depth inch = 0.0 |Jun snow depth inch = 0.0 |Jul snow depth inch = 0.0 |Aug snow depth inch = 0.0 |Sep snow depth inch = 0.0 |Oct snow depth inch = 0.2 |Nov snow depth inch = 2.9 |Dec snow depth inch = 10.6 |year snow depth inch= 25.1 |source 1 = NOAA<ref name= NOAA>{{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=gyx |title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = May 20, 2022}}</ref><ref> {{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00275995&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: N Conway, NH |access-date = February 9, 2023 }} </ref> }}

==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1960 = 1104 | 1970 = 1723 | 1980 = 2104 | 1990 = 2032 | 2000 = 2069 | 2010 = 2349 | 2020 = 2116 | footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/decennial-publications.html|title=Decennial Census Official Publications|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=March 4, 2024}}</ref> | align = right | align-fn = center }} thumb|left|White Horse Ledge and Echo Lake c. 1908 [[Image:The Kearsarge House, North Conway, NH.jpg|thumb|right|The Kearsarge House c. 1910, an early grand hotel]]

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, North Conway had a population of 2,116. The median age was 53.5 years. 13.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 29.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.7 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A53860&in=state%3A33|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 30, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A53860&in=state%3A33|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 30, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

84.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 15.6% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A53860&in=state%3A33|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 30, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 1,047 households in North Conway, of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 33.8% were married-couple households, 24.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 39.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 1,536 housing units, of which 31.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.5%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL"/> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 1,963 || 92.8% |- | Black or African American || 5 || 0.2% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 5 || 0.2% |- | Asian || 45 || 2.1% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0% |- | Some other race || 5 || 0.2% |- | Two or more races || 93 || 4.4% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 34 || 1.6% |}

===2010 census=== As of the census of 2010, there were 2,349 people, 1,105 households, and 547 families residing in the CDP. The population density was {{convert|546.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,804 housing units, of which 699, or 38.7%, were vacant. 551 of the vacant units were seasonal or vacation properties. The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.7% White, 0.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 0.6% some other race, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.<ref name="Census 2010 DP">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US3353860| title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): North Conway CDP, New Hampshire| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=April 3, 2013| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210230146/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US3353860| archive-date=February 10, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>

There were 1,105 households, out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.1% were headed by married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.5% were non-families. 39.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07, and the average family size was 2.73.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 18.6% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>

===Income and poverty=== For the period 2007–11, the estimated median annual income for a household in the CDP was $40,804, and the median income for a family was $46,832. Male full-time workers had a median income of $31,764 versus $23,859 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,664. About 12.1% of families and 21.9% of the population were below the poverty line.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_5YR/DP03/1600000US3353860| title=Selected Economic Characteristics: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP03): North Conway CDP, New Hampshire| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=April 3, 2013| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212082423/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_5YR/DP03/1600000US3353860| archive-date=February 12, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{clear}} ==Notable people==  * Ed Ashnault — college football and basketball coach; grew up in North Conway<ref>[http://athletics.plymouth.edu/information/Hall_of_Fame/2002_Inductees Plymouth State Athletics: 2002 HOF Inductees] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612121301/http://athletics.plymouth.edu/information/Hall_of_Fame/2002_Inductees |date=June 12, 2010 }}. Accessed May 10, 2008</ref> * Benjamin Champney — artist * Gordon Clapp — actor * E. E. Cummings — 20th century poet; summer resident * Jigger Johnson — logger * Jeff Locke — Major League Baseball player * Helen Bigelow Merriman — 19th century artist born in North Conway * Nathan W. Pease — photographer who lived and worked capturing images of area sites * Carroll Reed — ski instructor; founder of Carroll Reed Sportswear * Johann "Hannes" Schneider — Austrian ski instructor and founder of the Arlberg Technique * John Shea — actor, producer and director * David A. Shirley — chemist * Leanne Smith — two-time Olympian and World Cup alpine ski racer * Martha Pearson Smith (1836-?) — poet, musician, temperance activist * Julia Ruth Stevens — daughter of Babe Ruth<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tedwilliamsmuseum.com/events/docs/juliaruthstevens.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716202340/http://www.tedwilliamsmuseum.com/events/docs/juliaruthstevens.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |title=Babe Ruth's Daughter, Julia Ruth Stevens, Represents TW Museum at 2008 Eastern League All-Star Game |publisher=www.tedwilliamsmuseum.com |access-date=2011-02-02 }} Quote: "Years of living in North Conway, NH, and watching the Red Sox on local TV have made her a true Boston fan."</ref>

==Sites of interest== * Echo Lake State Park *Cranmore Mountain

Sites on the National Register of Historic Places: * North Conway 5 and 10 Cent Store * Eastern Slope Inn * Conway Scenic Railroad

==See also== North Conway is a village within the town of Conway. The other villages within Conway are:

* Conway village * Center Conway * Kearsarge * Redstone * White Mountain Airport

==References== {{Reflist}} {{portal|New Hampshire}}

==External links== {{Commons category|North Conway, New Hampshire}} {{wikivoyage|North Conway}} * [http://www.conwaynh.org Town of Conway official website] * [http://www.conwayhistoricalsociety.org/ Conway Historical Society] * [http://www.conwaypubliclibrary.org Conway Public Library] * [http://www.conwaydailysun.com ''The Conway Daily Sun''], local newspaper * [http://www.visitmwv.com/ Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau]

Category:North Conway, New Hampshire Category:Census-designated places in Carroll County, New Hampshire Category:Census-designated places in New Hampshire