The densely-populated central settlement of the town, where over 61% of the population resides, is defined as the Hampton census-designated place (CDP) and is centered on the intersection of U.S. 1 and NH 27.
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,937 people, 6,465 households, and 4,034 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,146.0 people per square mile (442.6/km²). There were 9,349 housing units at an average density of 277.0 persons/km² (717.3 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 97.57% White, 0.39% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,465 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 8.7% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 37.6% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $54,419, and the median income for a family was $66,000. Males had a median income of $46,727 versus $31,695 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,878. 5.9% of the population and 4.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.5% are under the age of 18 and 7.1% are 65 or older.
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,126 people, 3,800 households, and 2,473 families residing in the central settlement, or census-designated place (CDP). The population density was 1,701.4 people per square mile (657.4/km²). There were 4,020 housing units at an average density of 289.6 persons/km² (749.5 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the settlement was 97.81% White, 0.19% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.08% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,800 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 8.2% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.
The median income for a household is $57,356, and the median income for a family was $71,094. Males had a median income of $50,130 versus $32,468 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,769. 3.9% of the population and 1.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 1.6% are under the age of 18 and 8.7% are 65 or older.