Clinton, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Clinton is a town
located on Long Island Sound
in Middlesex County
, Connecticut
, United States
. The population was 13,094 at the 2000 census. The town center along the shore line was listed as a census-designated place
(CDP) by the U.S. Census Bureau in the 2000 census.
, the town has a total area of 19 square miles (49.2 km²), of which, 16.3 square miles (42.2 km²) of it is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km²) of it (14.50%) is water. The CDP corresponding to the town center has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7 km²), of which, 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it is water.
Clinton is bordered by the town of Madison
on the west, the town of Westbrook
on the east, and the town of Killingworth
on the north. Clinton is located directly off Long Island Sound
. Clinton has one town beach named Clinton Beach. Many fishermen come to Clinton to catch bluefish. The annual Blue Fish Festival is held in Clinton every summer.
Cedar Island (Connecticut) is located in Clinton Harbor.
Other minor communities and geographic features in Clinton are: Beach Park, Boulder Lake, Clinton Beach, Cow Hill, Duck Hole, Grove Beach, Grove Beach Manor, Harbor View, Kelseytown, Lochwood, Mill District, Old Harbor Village, Ridgewood, Riverside, Silver Bluff.
of 2000, there were 13,094 people, 5,134 households, and 3,614 families residing in the town. The population density
was 804.2 people per square mile (310.5/km²). There were 5,757 housing units at an average density of 353.6 per square mile (136.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.85% White, 0.57% Black or African American
, 0.29% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races
, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.99% of the population.
There were 5,134 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $60,471, and the median income for a family was $71,403. Males had a median income of $47,363 versus $34,983 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $26,080. About 2.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over. Pronunciation of the name of the town varies, including CLIN-tun, and CLINT-in (much like the name of a twentieth-century president
.
, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
It is also the center of a Census Designated Place named for it, as Clinton CDP. As of the census
2 of 2000, there were 3,516 people, 1,515 households, and 895 families residing in the CDP corresponding to the town center. The population density
was 1,451.5 inhabitants per square mile (561.0/km²). There were 1,624 housing units at an average density of 670.4 per square mile (259.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.11% White, 0.63% Black or African American
, 0.26% Native American, 1.19% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races
, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.74% of the population.
There were 1,515 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 32.3% 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 2.32 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $47,538, and the median income for a family was $59,667. Males had a median income of $43,672 versus $31,354 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $23,404. About 3.9% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.
Governor DeWitt Clinton
. The line marking the division between the towns of Killingworth and Clinton was the same as that which divided the first and second ecclesiastical societies, or, as they were later known, "school societies," which were established in 1735.
As in most small New England
shore towns, life centered about fishing, farming, shipbuilding, and the church. One of the early leaders of Clinton's church was the Reverend Abraham Pierson. In 1701, when the General Court of the Colony in Hartford granted a charter for "the founding of a collegiate school within His Majesty's Colony of Connecticut, " its founders chose the Reverend Mr. Pierson as its rector. The first classes were held in his parsonage in Clinton. In later years the school was moved to Saybrook and then to New Haven, where it eventually became Yale University
. A story entitled "The Birth of Yale" can be found at the town's website and was authored by Clinton resident Peggy Adler
.
In the 20th century, Clinton prospered as a suburban bedroom community of New Haven.
provides public transportation throughout Clinton and the surrounding towns through its 9 Town Transit Service. Services include connections to the Old Saybrook Train Station, served by Amtrak
and Shoreline East railroads.
as a historic district
known as the Clinton Village Historic District
. The central portion of the historic district containing the town green is a local historic district known as the Liberty Green Historic District
.
The Clinton Historical Society runs the Buell Tool Museum and the Clinton Historical Society Museum in Andrews Memorial Town Hall. The society's 1750 Elisha White House (known as Old Brick), the oldest brick home between New Haven and New London, has antique furniture, paintings, toys and quilts.
capital of the world.
The Bluefish Festival is held annually at the Clinton marina, but in the summer of 2008, it was held at the Clinton Town Hall due to marina construction. It has been held at the Town Hall since.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
located on Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
in Middlesex County
Middlesex County, Connecticut
Middlesex County is a county located in the south central part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was created in 1785 from portions of Hartford and New London counties. As of 2010, the population was 165,676....
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 13,094 at the 2000 census. The town center along the shore line was listed as a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) by the U.S. Census Bureau in the 2000 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 19 square miles (49.2 km²), of which, 16.3 square miles (42.2 km²) of it is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km²) of it (14.50%) is water. The CDP corresponding to the town center has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7 km²), of which, 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it is water.
Clinton is bordered by the town of Madison
Madison, Connecticut
Madison is a town in the southeastern corner of New Haven County, Connecticut, occupying a central location on Connecticut's Long Island Sound shoreline. The population was 18,812 at the 2000 census....
on the west, the town of Westbrook
Westbrook, Connecticut
Westbrook is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 6,292 at the 2000 census. The town center is also classified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place .-Geography:...
on the east, and the town of Killingworth
Killingworth, Connecticut
Killingworth is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The town's name can easily be confused with another Connecticut town, Killingly; or a Vermont ski area, Killington. The population was 6,018 at the 2000 census.-History:...
on the north. Clinton is located directly off Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
. Clinton has one town beach named Clinton Beach. Many fishermen come to Clinton to catch bluefish. The annual Blue Fish Festival is held in Clinton every summer.
Cedar Island (Connecticut) is located in Clinton Harbor.
Other minor communities and geographic features in Clinton are: Beach Park, Boulder Lake, Clinton Beach, Cow Hill, Duck Hole, Grove Beach, Grove Beach Manor, Harbor View, Kelseytown, Lochwood, Mill District, Old Harbor Village, Ridgewood, Riverside, Silver Bluff.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 13,094 people, 5,134 households, and 3,614 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 804.2 people per square mile (310.5/km²). There were 5,757 housing units at an average density of 353.6 per square mile (136.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.85% White, 0.57% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.29% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.99% of the population.
There were 5,134 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $60,471, and the median income for a family was $71,403. Males had a median income of $47,363 versus $34,983 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $26,080. About 2.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over. Pronunciation of the name of the town varies, including CLIN-tun, and CLINT-in (much like the name of a twentieth-century president
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
2,379 | 34 | 2,413 | 26.53% |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
2,259 | 34 | 2,293 | 25.21% |
Unaffiliated | 4,318 | 68 | 4,386 | 48.22% |
Minor Parties | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.03% | |
| Total | 8,959 | 136 | 9,095 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Town center
The town center is known as Clinton Center. It is the location of the Clinton Village Historic DistrictClinton Village Historic District (Clinton, Connecticut)
The Clinton Village Historic District in Clinton, Connecticut is a historic district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1994. It is roughly linear and extends along East Main Street from the Indian River in the west to Old Post Road in the east...
, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
It is also the center of a Census Designated Place named for it, as Clinton CDP. As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
2 of 2000, there were 3,516 people, 1,515 households, and 895 families residing in the CDP corresponding to the town center. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,451.5 inhabitants per square mile (561.0/km²). There were 1,624 housing units at an average density of 670.4 per square mile (259.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.11% White, 0.63% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.26% Native American, 1.19% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.74% of the population.
There were 1,515 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 32.3% 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 2.32 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $47,538, and the median income for a family was $59,667. Males had a median income of $43,672 versus $31,354 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $23,404. About 3.9% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.
History
Clinton traces its history from 1663 when the land between Guilford and Saybrook, as they were then bounded, was known as Hammonasset. In this year a committee was appointed by the General Court at Hartford to lay out this area as a plantation. In 1667 the settlement was designated a town and named Kenilworth. By the middle of the eighteenth century, through changes in usage, this name became Killingworth. In 1838 the southern portion was incorporated by the General Assembly as the Town of Clinton, the northern portion retaining the name of Killingworth. The town was named after New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Governor DeWitt Clinton
DeWitt Clinton
DeWitt Clinton was an early American politician and naturalist who served as United States Senator and the sixth Governor of New York. In this last capacity he was largely responsible for the construction of the Erie Canal...
. The line marking the division between the towns of Killingworth and Clinton was the same as that which divided the first and second ecclesiastical societies, or, as they were later known, "school societies," which were established in 1735.
As in most small New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
shore towns, life centered about fishing, farming, shipbuilding, and the church. One of the early leaders of Clinton's church was the Reverend Abraham Pierson. In 1701, when the General Court of the Colony in Hartford granted a charter for "the founding of a collegiate school within His Majesty's Colony of Connecticut, " its founders chose the Reverend Mr. Pierson as its rector. The first classes were held in his parsonage in Clinton. In later years the school was moved to Saybrook and then to New Haven, where it eventually became Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. A story entitled "The Birth of Yale" can be found at the town's website and was authored by Clinton resident Peggy Adler
Peggy Adler
Peggy Adler is an American author and illustrator of children's books and investigative researcher. She is the daughter of Irving Adler and Ruth Adler and younger sister of Stephen L. Adler.-Early career:...
.
In the 20th century, Clinton prospered as a suburban bedroom community of New Haven.
Transportation
The Estuary Transit DistrictEstuary Transit District
Estuary Transit District is the public transit provider for Connecticut River Estuary region. ETD provides public transit service through its 9 Town Transit service to the towns of Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook, Connecticut...
provides public transportation throughout Clinton and the surrounding towns through its 9 Town Transit Service. Services include connections to the Old Saybrook Train Station, served by Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
and Shoreline East railroads.
Points of interest
The eastern half of the town center (east of the Indian River) is listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as a historic district
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
known as the Clinton Village Historic District
Clinton Village Historic District (Clinton, Connecticut)
The Clinton Village Historic District in Clinton, Connecticut is a historic district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1994. It is roughly linear and extends along East Main Street from the Indian River in the west to Old Post Road in the east...
. The central portion of the historic district containing the town green is a local historic district known as the Liberty Green Historic District
Liberty Green Historic District
Liberty Green Historic District is a local historic district in the town of Clinton, Connecticut, and Liberty Green is a triangular town green within it.-Description:...
.
The Clinton Historical Society runs the Buell Tool Museum and the Clinton Historical Society Museum in Andrews Memorial Town Hall. The society's 1750 Elisha White House (known as Old Brick), the oldest brick home between New Haven and New London, has antique furniture, paintings, toys and quilts.
Trivia
Clinton is known as the bluefishBluefish
The bluefish , called tailor in Australia, is a species of popular marine gamefish found in all climates. It is the sole species of the Pomatomidae family....
capital of the world.
The Bluefish Festival is held annually at the Clinton marina, but in the summer of 2008, it was held at the Clinton Town Hall due to marina construction. It has been held at the Town Hall since.
Notable people, past and present
- Horatio WrightHoratio WrightHoratio Gouverneur Wright was an engineer and general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he was involved in a number of engineering projects, including the Brooklyn Bridge and the completion of the Washington Monument, and served as Chief of Engineers for the U.S...
: Civil War general and later, Chief of Army Corps of Engineers - Dr. SeussDr. SeussTheodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg and, in one case, Rosetta Stone....
: Children's book writer summered here - Abraham PiersonAbraham PiersonReverend Abraham Pierson was the first rector, from 1701 to 1707, and one of the founders of the Collegiate School — which later became Yale University. He was born in Southampton, Long Island, where his father, the Rev. Abraham Pierson , was the pastor of the Puritan church...
: One of the founders of Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States... - Erica HillErica HillErica Ruth Hill is an American journalist and co-anchor of The Early Show on CBS. Prior to her current position, she was the weekday news anchor and Saturday co-anchor of the show. Hill previously worked as an anchor and correspondent for CNN, Headline News and TechTV.- Personal life :Hill was...
: CNNCNNCable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
Headline News news anchor - Peggy AdlerPeggy AdlerPeggy Adler is an American author and illustrator of children's books and investigative researcher. She is the daughter of Irving Adler and Ruth Adler and younger sister of Stephen L. Adler.-Early career:...
: Author & Illustrator of Children's books; Investigative Researcher; Police Commissioner - Charles MorganCharles Morgan (businessman)Charles Morgan was a U.S. railroad and shipping magnate. Morgan played a leading role in the development of transportation and commerce in the Southern United States through the mid-to-late 19th century.-Career:...
: Railroad and shipping magnate - Jared EliotJared EliotJared Eliot was a farmer, minister and physician in Guilford, Connecticut who wrote several articles on agriculture and animal husbandry. Eliot was the eldest son of Joseph Eliot and his second wife, Mary Wyllys. The Eliots raised their family in Guilford , which was settled by Europeans in 1639...
: Minister, physician, agriculturalist