Litchfield (borough), Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Litchfield is a borough
in, and the village center of, the town
of Litchfield
in Litchfield County
, Connecticut
. The population was 1,328 at the 2000 census. The entire borough was designated a Connecticut historic district
in 1959 by special act of the state General Assembly
and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. Part of the borough is also a National Historic Landmark
, the Litchfield Historic District
.
as a village in 1818, one of only two villages ever established in the state. In 1879 it was rechartered as a borough.
", and on November 29, 1978, the entire borough was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as an historic district.
The 1978 NRHP listing was an 840 acres (339.9 ha) area including 459 buildings.
As a result of the state historic district designation, exterior changes to structures in the district that are visible from a public way must be reviewed and approved by the Litchfield Historic District Commission. The review process is intended to prevent changes that would be "incongruous with the District's historic and architectural character."
, the borough has a total area of 3.6 km² (1.4 mi²), all land.
of 2000, there were 1,328 people, 573 households, and 350 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 368.9/km² (953.5/mi²). There were 624 housing units at an average density of 173.3/km² (448.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.97% White, 0.30% Black or African American
, 0.15% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.38% from other races
, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.51% of the population.
There were 573 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples
living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the borough the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $58,333, and the median income for a family was $77,843. Males had a median income of $59,375 versus $35,156 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $38,789. About 4.6% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.
Borough (Connecticut)
In the U.S. state of Connecticut, a borough is an incorporated section of a town. Borough governments are not autonomous and are subordinate to the government of the town to which they belong...
in, and the village center of, the town
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...
of 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...
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...
. The population was 1,328 at the 2000 census. The entire borough was designated a Connecticut 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...
in 1959 by special act of the state General Assembly
Connecticut General Assembly
The Connecticut General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is a bicameral body composed of the 151-member House of Representatives and the 36-member Senate. It meets in the state capital, Hartford. There are no term limits for either chamber.During...
and 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...
. Part of the borough is also a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
, the Litchfield Historic District
Litchfield Historic District
Litchfield Historic District, in Litchfield, Connecticut, is a National Historic Landmark historic district designated in 1968 as a notable example of a typical late 18th century New England village...
.
History
The borough of Litchfield was incorporatedMunicipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
as a village in 1818, one of only two villages ever established in the state. In 1879 it was rechartered as a borough.
Old and Historic Litchfield Historic District
In 1959, the entire borough was designated an historic district by a special act of the Connecticut General Assembly, with name "Old and Historic Litchfield Historic District". It was the first such district in Connecticut. Subsequently, on November 24, 1968, a central portion of the borough was given National Historic Landmark status as "Litchfield Historic DistrictLitchfield Historic District
Litchfield Historic District, in Litchfield, Connecticut, is a National Historic Landmark historic district designated in 1968 as a notable example of a typical late 18th century New England village...
", and on November 29, 1978, the entire borough was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as an historic district.
The 1978 NRHP listing was an 840 acres (339.9 ha) area including 459 buildings.
As a result of the state historic district designation, exterior changes to structures in the district that are visible from a public way must be reviewed and approved by the Litchfield Historic District Commission. The review process is intended to prevent changes that would be "incongruous with the District's historic and architectural character."
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 borough has a total area of 3.6 km² (1.4 mi²), all land.
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 1,328 people, 573 households, and 350 families residing in the borough. 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 368.9/km² (953.5/mi²). There were 624 housing units at an average density of 173.3/km² (448.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.97% White, 0.30% 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...
, 0.15% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.38% 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 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.51% of the population.
There were 573 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% 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, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the borough the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $58,333, and the median income for a family was $77,843. Males had a median income of $59,375 versus $35,156 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 borough was $38,789. About 4.6% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.