Granted in 1765 by colonial Governor Benning Wentworth, New Hampton was originally known as "Moultonborough Addition", after then-Colonel Jonathan Moulton, who held the position of town moderator.

From 1854 to 1870, the institute was affiliated with Cobb Divinity School (later part of Bates College).

The highest point in New Hampton is 1,840 feet (561 m) above sea level atop the west ridge of Hersey Mountain, whose 2,001-foot (610 m) summit lies just over the town boundary in Sanbornton.

The geographic center of New Hampshire is located in the eastern part of New Hampton, between Winona Lake and Jackson Pond, at 43.67925 N, 71.580375 W.[5] The town is served by Interstate 93 and state routes 104 and 132.

I-93 serves the town at Exit 23 and leads north to Plymouth and south to Concord.

NH 132 parallels I-93 as a local road, connecting Sanbornton and Tilton to the south with Ashland to the north.

[8] In the New Hampshire Senate, New Hampton is in the 2nd district, represented by Republican Bob Giuda.

On the New Hampshire Executive Council, New Hampton is in the 1st district, represented by Republican Joseph Kenney.