Harwinton, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Harwinton is a town
in Litchfield County
, Connecticut
, United States
. The population was 5,283 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is a portmanteau of Hartford
and Windsor
, which is where its settlers came from.http://www.sots.ct.gov/RegisterManual/SectionVII/townorder.htm
, the town has a total area of 31.1 square miles (80.5 km²), of which, 30.8 square miles (79.8 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it (1.13%) is water. The southeastern portion of the town contains the Roraback Wildlife Area and several reservoirs.
of 2000, there were 5,283 people, 1,958 households, and 1,546 families residing in the town. The population density
was 171.8 people per square mile (66.3/km²). There were 2,022 housing units at an average density of 65.8 per square mile (25.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.69% White, 0.08% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races
, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.89% of the population.
There were 1,958 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.6% were married couples
living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.0% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 100.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $66,222, and the median income for a family was $75,912. Males had a median income of $51,597 versus $40,000 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $32,137. About 0.8% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
connects the town to Torrington
in the west and to Hartford in the east. Route 118 connects the town to Litchfield
center, with a junction for the Route 8
expressway. Route 222 is a north-south route connecting the town to Thomaston
center. Route 72
connects the town to the city of Bristol
.
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...
in Litchfield County
Litchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. Litchfield County has the lowest population density of any county in Connecticut but is geographically the state's largest county. As of 2010 the population was 189,927...
, 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 5,283 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is a portmanteau of Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
and Windsor
Windsor, Connecticut
Windsor is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, and was the first English settlement in the state. It lies on the northern border of Connecticut's capital, Hartford. The population was estimated at 28,778 in 2005....
, which is where its settlers came from.http://www.sots.ct.gov/RegisterManual/SectionVII/townorder.htm
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 31.1 square miles (80.5 km²), of which, 30.8 square miles (79.8 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it (1.13%) is water. The southeastern portion of the town contains the Roraback Wildlife Area and several reservoirs.
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 5,283 people, 1,958 households, and 1,546 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 171.8 people per square mile (66.3/km²). There were 2,022 housing units at an average density of 65.8 per square mile (25.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.69% White, 0.08% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.13% 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 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.89% of the population.
There were 1,958 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.6% 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, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.0% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 100.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $66,222, and the median income for a family was $75,912. Males had a median income of $51,597 versus $40,000 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 $32,137. About 0.8% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
| 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... |
1,051 | 37 | 1,088 | 27.81% |
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... |
895 | 25 | 920 | 23.52% |
Unaffiliated | 1,816 | 81 | 1,897 | 48.49% |
Minor Parties | 6 | 1 | 7 | 0.18% | |
| Total | 3,768 | 144 | 3,912 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transportation
Route 4Route 4 (Connecticut)
Route 4 is an east–west primary state highway connecting rural Litchfield County to the Greater Hartford area of the U.S. state of Connecticut...
connects the town to Torrington
Torrington, Connecticut
Torrington is the largest city in Litchfield County, Connecticut and the northwestern Connecticut region. It is also the core city of the largest micropolitan area in the United States. The city population was 36,383 according to the 2010 census....
in the west and to Hartford in the east. Route 118 connects the town to Litchfield
Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield is a town in and former county seat of Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States, and is known as an affluent summer resort. The population was 8,316 at the 2000 census. The boroughs of Bantam and Litchfield are located within the town...
center, with a junction for the Route 8
Route 8 (Connecticut)
Route 8 is the portion of the multistate New England Route 8 within the state of Connecticut. It is a state highway running north–south from Bridgeport, through Waterbury, all the way to the Massachusetts state line where it continues as Route 8...
expressway. Route 222 is a north-south route connecting the town to Thomaston
Thomaston, Connecticut
Thomaston is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 7,503 at the 2000 census.-History:The town, originally part of Plymouth, Connecticut, and referred to as 'Plymouth Hollow' was first settled in the early 18th century. The town is known for clock making, which...
center. Route 72
Route 72 (Connecticut)
Route 72 is a state highway in the western part of the Greater Hartford area. Route 72 is an L-shaped route with a north–south section in Plymouth and Harwinton and an east–west section from Bristol to New Britain...
connects the town to the city of Bristol
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
.
Notable residents, past and present
- Jonathan BraceJonathan BraceJonathan Brace was a United States Representative from Connecticut. He was born in Harwinton, Connecticut. He was graduated from Yale College in 1779. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in Bennington, Vermont in 1779 and commenced practice in Pawlet, Vermont. He moved to Manchester,...
(1754–1837), judge and U.S. congressman was born in town. - George S. CatlinGeorge S. CatlinGeorge Smith Catlin was a U.S. Representative from Connecticut.Born in Harwinton, Connecticut, Catlin attended the common schools, Amherst College, and the Litchfield Law School....
(1808–1851), U.S. congressman was born in town. - Elam LuddingtonElam LuddingtonElam Luddington, Jr. was a Mormon pioneer and was the first missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to preach in Thailand....
(1806–1893), MormonMormonThe term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
pioneer to Utah and was the first Mormon missionary to preach in Thailand was born in Harwinton. - Luman WatsonLuman WatsonLuman Watson was an early Cincinnati clockmaker. He worked in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1819 to 1834. His clocks had wooden works. He made both tall clocks and shelf clocks....
(1790–1834), clockmaker, was born in town.