Prospect, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Prospect is a town
in New Haven County
, Connecticut
, United States
. The population was 8,707 at the 2000 census.
, the town has a total area of 14.5 square miles (37.6 km²), of which, 14.3 square miles (37 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (1.58%) is water. Neighboring towns are Waterbury
to the north, Cheshire
to the east, Bethany
to the south, and Naugatuck
to the west.
of 2000, there were 8,707 people, 3,020 households, and 2,455 families residing in the town. The population density
was 608.1 people per square mile (234.8/km²). There were 3,094 housing units at an average density of 216.1 per square mile (83.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.31% White, 1.42% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.72% from other races
, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.93% of the population.
There were 3,020 households out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.9% were married couples
living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $67,560, and the median income for a family was $74,038. Males had a median income of $50,796 versus $35,806 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $26,827. About 0.9% of families and 1.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.8% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.
as of 2009 elections
Robert J. Chatfield, the longest serving chief elected official in the state has held the title of mayor in Prospect for 17 terms. Only one elected official has served longer, Sen. George "Doc" Gunther
, who is currently serving his 20th and final term.
In 1967, Prospect switched from first selectman to chief administrative officer, and in 1975, began running under the mayoral form of government. Chatfield, a Republican, was elected to that office on Nov. 7, 1977, and became the second mayor of the town, following George Sabo. Since that time, he has been the only mayor many Prospect residents have known.
His most memorable moment in office came when he coined the phrase "The Best Small Town in Connecticut," which has become a favorite among residents. In the late 1990s, Connecticut Magazine named the town one of the worst small towns in the state based on statistics compiled by various agencies. The statement so riled Chatfield, he and several other area chief officials wrote to the magazine supporting Prospect. The day the magazine came out, Chatfield said, he went to a sign company and ordered tags and bumper stickers claiming Prospect as the "Best Small Town in Connecticut." The tags were placed on all town vehicles, and have remained there since.
to create Region 16.
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 New Haven County
New Haven County, Connecticut
New Haven County is a county located in the south central part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of the 2010 Census, the county population is 862,477 making it the third most populated county in Connecticut. There are 1,340 people per square mile...
, 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 8,707 at 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 14.5 square miles (37.6 km²), of which, 14.3 square miles (37 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (1.58%) is water. Neighboring towns are Waterbury
Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City...
to the north, Cheshire
Cheshire, Connecticut
Cheshire is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 28,543 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Connecticut is located in Cheshire. In 2009 Cheshire was ranked 72 in Money Magazine's 100 Best Places to Live.Likewise, in 2011 Cheshire was ranked 73 in...
to the east, Bethany
Bethany, Connecticut
Bethany is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 5,040 at the 2000 census. Bethany was first settled in 1717 but it was not until May 1832 that Bethany separated from Woodbridge to become incorporated as a town. This slightly remote, sparsely populated,...
to the south, and Naugatuck
Naugatuck, Connecticut
Naugatuck is a consolidated borough and town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town spans both sides of the Naugatuck River just south of Waterbury, and includes the communities of Union City on the east side of the river, which has its own post office, Straitsville on the...
to the west.
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 8,707 people, 3,020 households, and 2,455 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 608.1 people per square mile (234.8/km²). There were 3,094 housing units at an average density of 216.1 per square mile (83.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.31% White, 1.42% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.72% 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 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.93% of the population.
There were 3,020 households out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.9% 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, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $67,560, and the median income for a family was $74,038. Males had a median income of $50,796 versus $35,806 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 $26,827. About 0.9% of families and 1.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.8% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.
Elected Officials
| Mayor | Robert (Bob) J. Chatfield (R) (Since 1978) |
| Town Clerk | M. Carrie Anderson (R) |
| Town Treasurer | David L. Young (R) |
| Tax Collector | Diane M. Lauber (R) |
as of 2009 elections
Robert J. Chatfield, the longest serving chief elected official in the state has held the title of mayor in Prospect for 17 terms. Only one elected official has served longer, Sen. George "Doc" Gunther
George Gunther
George "Doc" Gunther is the longest-serving state legislator in Connecticut history. Senator Gunther represented the 21st Connecticut Senate District, comprising all of Shelton, most of Stratford, and parts of Monroe and Seymour, Connecticut, from 1966 to 2006...
, who is currently serving his 20th and final term.
In 1967, Prospect switched from first selectman to chief administrative officer, and in 1975, began running under the mayoral form of government. Chatfield, a Republican, was elected to that office on Nov. 7, 1977, and became the second mayor of the town, following George Sabo. Since that time, he has been the only mayor many Prospect residents have known.
His most memorable moment in office came when he coined the phrase "The Best Small Town in Connecticut," which has become a favorite among residents. In the late 1990s, Connecticut Magazine named the town one of the worst small towns in the state based on statistics compiled by various agencies. The statement so riled Chatfield, he and several other area chief officials wrote to the magazine supporting Prospect. The day the magazine came out, Chatfield said, he went to a sign company and ordered tags and bumper stickers claiming Prospect as the "Best Small Town in Connecticut." The tags were placed on all town vehicles, and have remained there since.
Schools
The town of Prospect is combined with Beacon FallsBeacon Falls, Connecticut
Beacon Falls is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 5,246 at the 2000 census. The population increased to 6,049 at the 2010 census. Beacon Falls is also home to the national-known Meteorologist Jim Cantore. Settlers from Derby, Connecticut settled Beacon...
to create Region 16.
- Algonquin School (Grades K-3)
- Community School (Grades 4-5)
- Long River Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- Woodland Regional High SchoolWoodland Regional High SchoolWoodland Regional High School is a high school located in the western part of Beacon Falls, Connecticut, near the town line shared with Oxford.The school is operated by Regional School District 16. The school mascot is the hawk...
(Grades 9-12)
External links
- 'Official' Prospect, CT web page
- ProspectCT.com
- Northwest Connecticut Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Galactic Gigolo on IMDB
Further reading
- John R. Guevin - View from the Top - the story of Prospect, ConnecticutConnecticutConnecticut 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...
, 1995, Biographical Publishing Company, ISBN 0-9637240-3-7