The central settlement in town, where over 63% of the population resides, is defined as the Newport census-designated place (CDP), and is located at the junction of New Hampshire Routes 10 and 11, adjacent to the Sugar River.
In 1900, 3,126 people lived in Newport; in 1910, 3,765; and in 1940, 5,304. As of the census of 2000, there were 6,269 people, 2,473 households, and 1,656 families residing in the town. The population density was 143.9 people per square mile (55.6/km²). There were 2,633 housing units at an average density of 23.3 persons/km² (60.4 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 98.01% White, 0.14% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,473 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 10.4% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 33.0% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,442, and the median income for a family was $45,508. Males had a median income of $31,807 versus $22,788 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,964. 14.4% of the population and 10.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 19.3% are under the age of 18 and 10.0% are 65 or older.
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,008 people, 1,581 households, and 1,019 families residing in the central village, a census-designated place. The population density was 366.5 people per square mile (141.6/km²). There were 1,676 housing units at an average density of 59.2 persons/km² (153.3 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 98.13% White, 0.22% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.45% of the population.
There were 1,581 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 10.8% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 35.5% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.
The median income for a household is $35,788, and the median income for a family was $44,453. Males had a median income of $31,676 versus $22,146 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,389. About 10.7% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under the age of 18 and 12.9% ages 65 or older.