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Litchfield County, Connecticut

Coordinates: 41°47′N 73°14′W / 41.79°N 73.24°W / 41.79; -73.24
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Litchfield County
County
Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall.
Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall.
Map of Connecticut highlighting Litchfield County
Location within the U.S. state of Connecticut
Map of the United States highlighting Connecticut
Connecticut's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°47′N 73°14′W / 41.79°N 73.24°W / 41.79; -73.24
Country United States
State Connecticut
Founded1751
Named forLichfield, England
Seatnone (since 1960)
Litchfield (before 1960)
Largest cityTorrington (by population)
New Milford (by area)
Area
 • Total
945 sq mi (2,450 km2)
 • Land921 sq mi (2,390 km2)
 • Water24 sq mi (60 km2)  2.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
185,186 Decrease
 • Density196.0/sq mi (75.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 5th
Map
Interactive map of Litchfield County, Connecticut

Litchfield County is a county in northwestern Connecticut, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 185,186.[1] The county was named after Lichfield, in England.[2] Litchfield County has the lowest population density of any county in Connecticut and is the state's largest county by area.

Litchfield County comprises the Torrington, CT, Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the New York–Newark, NY–NJ–CT–PA, Combined Statistical Area.

As is the case with the other seven Connecticut counties, there is no county government and no county seat. Each town is responsible for all local services such as schools, snow removal, sewers, and fire and police departments. However, in some cases in rural areas, adjoining towns may agree to jointly provide services or even establish a regional school system. On June 6, 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau formally recognized Connecticut's nine councils of governments as county equivalents instead of the state's eight counties. Connecticut's county governments were disbanded in 1960, and the councils of governments took over some of the local governmental functions. Connecticut's eight historical counties continue to exist in name only, and are no longer considered for statistical purposes.[3]

History

[edit]

Litchfield County was created on October 9, 1751, by an act of the Connecticut General Court from land belonging to Fairfield, New Haven, and Hartford counties. The act establishing the county states:

That the townships of Litchfield, Woodbury, New Milford, Harwinton, New Hartford, Barkhempstead, Hartland, Colebrook, Norfolk, Canaan, Salisbury, Kent, Sharon, Cornwall, Goshen, Torrington, and Winchester, lying in the northwesterly part of this Colony, shall be and remain one entire county, and be called the County of Litchfield, and shall have and exercise the same powers, priviledges [sic] and authorities, and be subject to the same regulations, as the other counties in this Colony by law have and are subject unto. The bounds of which county shall extend north to the Colony line, and west to the Colony line till it meets with the township of New Fairfield, and to include the towns abovementioned. [4] [5]

Between 1780 and 1807, several new towns were created at the boundaries between Litchfield County and other counties in Connecticut. The town of Watertown was established in 1780 from Waterbury and was placed under Litchfield County jurisdiction. The establishment of the town of Brookfield from part of New Milford in 1788 resulted in Litchfield County losing territory to Fairfield County. In 1796, the town of Hartland was transferred to Hartford County. In 1798, the town of Oxford was established from part of Southbury causing Litchfield County to lose territory to New Haven County. In 1807, the town of Southbury was transferred to New Haven County. The final boundary change occurred on October 8, 1807, when the town of Middlebury was established from part of Woodbury.[6]

In 1862, during the Civil War, Litchfield County raised the 2nd Connecticut Regiment of Volunteers Heavy Artillery. This regiment, originally the 19th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, served in the defense of Washington, D.C. from September 1862 to March 1864, at which time it was transferred to the Army of the Potomac. On June 1, 1864, the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery fought as infantry (as it continued to do through the war) in the Battle of Cold Harbor, experiencing the heaviest proportionate losses of any Connecticut regiment in the Civil War. The regiment remained active to the end of the war, and its final mustering out September 5, 1865.[7]

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 945 square miles (2,450 km2), of which 921 square miles (2,390 km2) is land and 24 square miles (62 km2) (2.5%) is water.[8] It is the largest county in Connecticut by area. Litchfield County is roughly contiguous with the portion of the Appalachian Mountains range known as the Berkshire Mountains (sometimes locally, this area is called the Litchfield Hills).

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179038,635—
180041,2146.7%
181041,3750.4%
182041,267−0.3%
183042,8583.9%
184040,448−5.6%
185045,25311.9%
186047,3184.6%
187048,7273.0%
188052,0446.8%
189053,5422.9%
190063,67218.9%
191070,26010.3%
192076,2628.5%
193082,5568.3%
194087,0415.4%
195098,87213.6%
1960119,85621.2%
1970144,09120.2%
1980156,7698.8%
1990174,09211.1%
2000182,1934.7%
2010189,9274.2%
2020185,186−2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2018[13]

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 182,193 people, 71,551 households, and 49,584 families residing in the county. The population density was 198 inhabitants per square mile (76/km2). There were 79,267 housing units at an average density of 86/sq mi (33/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.77% White, 1.10% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 2.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.8% were of Italian, 14.8% Irish, 10.6% English, 9.2% German and 6.3% French ancestry. 92.3% spoke English, 2.1% Spanish, 1.6% Italian and 1.2% French as their first language.

There were 71,551 households, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $56,273, and the median income for a family was $66,445 (these figures had risen to $67,591 and $81,752 respectively as of a 2007 estimate).[15] Males had a median income of $45,586 versus $31,870 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,408. About 2.70% of families and 4.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.30% of those under age 18 and 5.40% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 189,927 people, 76,640 households, and 51,530 families residing in the county.[16] The population density was 206.3 inhabitants per square mile (79.7/km2). There were 87,550 housing units at an average density of 95.1 per square mile (36.7/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 93.9% white, 1.5% Asian, 1.3% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 1.4% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.5% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 23.0% were Italian, 21.3% were Irish, 14.8% were English, 14.5% were German, 8.3% were Polish, and 3.3% were American.[18]

Of the 76,640 households, 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.8% were non-families, and 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 44.4 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $69,639 and the median income for a family was $84,890. Males had a median income of $57,362 versus $42,729 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,848. About 3.6% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.[19]

Demographic breakdown by town

[edit]

Income

[edit]
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income

Data is from the 2010 United States Census and the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.[20][21]

Rank Town Per capita
income 		Median
household
income 		Median
family
income 		Population Number of
households
1 Roxbury Town $65,236 $97,768 $119,091 2,262 936
2 Bridgewater Town $58,172 $86,607 $105,568 1,727 735
3 Washington Town $51,907 $67,417 $84,833 3,578 1,512
4 Kent Town $51,772 $68,481 $82,260 2,979 1,246
5 Cornwall Town $50,901 $80,179 $97,500 1,420 628
6 Warren Town $49,142 $87,857 $94,583 1,461 601
7 Salisbury Town $47,361 $63,587 $76,719 3,741 1,693
8 Woodbury Town $44,060 $80,595 $100,500 9,975 4,214
9 Norfolk Town $43,866 $85,526 $98,098 1,709 720
10 Sharon Town $43,317 $70,104 $74,313 2,782 1,250
11 New Hartford Town $41,709 $80,718 $90,172 6,970 2,632
12 Litchfield Town $41,649 $78,750 $100,833 8,466 3,459
13 Litchfield Borough $40,635 $68,125 $81,875 1,258 548
14 Bethlehem Town $39,704 $82,899 $86,792 3,607 1,411
15 Goshen Town $39,562 $76,705 $86,114 2,976 1,192
16 Colebrook Town $39,324 $72,000 $85,833 1,485 589
17 New Milford Town $38,893 $84,824 $100,574 28,142 10,618
18 Harwinton Town $37,902 $85,253 $92,083 5,642 2,170
19 Canaan Town $37,283 $54,219 $77,500 1,234 583
20 Morris Town $36,682 $81,583 $97,381 2,388 958
21 Barkhamsted Town $34,775 $87,656 $107,804 3,799 1,452
22 Watertown Town $34,158 $77,771 $93,194 22,514 8,672
23 Thomaston Town $31,652 $63,990 $77,842 7,887 3,108
24 Plymouth Town $30,081 $71,630 $82,438 12,243 4,803
25 Winchester Town $27,264 $57,958 $68,622 11,242 4,815
26 North Canaan Town $26,700 $46,417 $52,604 3,315 1,400
27 Torrington City $25,948 $48,409 $64,476 36,383 15,243
28 Winsted City $25,291 $61,404 $68,406 7,712 3,346
29 Bantam Borough $24,284 $42,256 $54,063 759 372

Race

[edit]

Data is from the 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, "Race alone or in combination with one or more other races."[22]

Rank Town Population White Black Asian American
Indian 		Other Hispanic
1 Torrington City 36,380 93.6% 3.5% 2.9% 1.1% 1.8% 6.8%
2 New Milford Town 28,122 92.6% 3.9% 2.7% 0.6% 1.8% 5.2%
3 Watertown Town 22,502 96.1% 1.6% 2.2% 0.6% 0.9% 2.5%
4 Plymouth Town 12,218 98.1% 1.1% 0.0% 1.4% 1.0% 3.6%
5 Winchester Town 11,216 95.3% 1.3% 1.4% 0.8% 2.6% 9.9%
6 Woodbury Town 9,928 97.9% 0.6% 1.8% 0.7% 0.3% 4.0%
7 Litchfield Town 8,484 97.6% 1.5% 1.2% 0.2% 0.7% 3.1%
8 Thomaston Town 7,862 98.0% 1.2% 0.9% 1.0% 0.7% 1.4%
9 Winsted City 7,402 93.3% 1.5% 1.9% 1.3% 3.7% 13.2%
10 New Hartford Town 6,901 96.0% 0.6% 3.9% 0.0% 0.0% 0.7%
11 Harwinton Town 5,618 97.7% 0.0% 2.3% 0.5% 0.0% 0.0%
12 Barkhamsted Town 3,783 99.8% 0.4% 0.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.3%
13 Salisbury Town 3,783 95.3% 2.6% 3.8% 1.3% 2.0% 2.2%
14 Bethlehem Town 3,596 99.4% 0.1% 0.8% 0.2% 0.0% 0.9%
15 Washington Town 3,586 94.0% 2.9% 0.9% 0.2% 3.0% 9.6%
16 North Canaan Town 3,329 96.3% 1.4% 2.3% 0.0% 0.0% 2.2%
17 Kent Town 2,982 98.5% 0.3% 0.8% 0.7% 0.0% 0.3%
18 Goshen Town 2,957 99.1% 0.1% 0.7% 0.4% 0.2% 5.5%
19 Sharon Town 2,804 92.0% 0.4% 1.4% 0.3% 6.8% 8.5%
20 Morris Town 2,411 99.0% 1.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.4%
21 Roxbury Town 2,315 99.0% 0.0% 0.3% 1.3% 0.3% 5.3%
22 Bridgewater Town 1,790 96.6% 1.7% 1.3% 0.3% 1.9% 6.2%
23 Norfolk Town 1,574 97.2% 0.7% 1.5% 2.1% 0.5% 2.2%
24 Warren Town 1,531 98.5% 0.0% 0.9% 0.3% 1.0% 3.0%
25 Cornwall Town 1,469 99.0% 0.5% 1.0% 0.0% 0.8% 2.2%
26 Litchfield Borough 1,420 98.6% 0.0% 1.9% 0.0% 0.4% 4.2%
27 Colebrook Town 1,395 99.4% 0.5% 0.0% 0.8% 0.0% 0.6%
28 Canaan Town 1,183 97.5% 1.6% 0.2% 0.2% 1.0% 2.8%
29 Bantam Borough 731 96.0% 3.6% 1.5% 0.3% 2.2% 4.4%

Politics

[edit]

Litchfield County has voted for Republican presidential candidates more often than the rest of the state. In 2004 Bush won 52% to Kerry's 46%, making Litchfield the only county in southern New England that Bush carried. Litchfield was one of two Connecticut counties won by George H. W. Bush in 1992.[23] But in 2008, no county in Connecticut, including Litchfield, was won by Republican candidate John McCain. The county also went for the Democratic presidential candidate in 1964, 1996, and 2000. In 2012 it was the only county won by Mitt Romney in the state.[24] In 2016, 2020 and 2024, Donald Trump won the county.[25]

United States presidential election results for Litchfield County, Connecticut[26]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 56,452 53.27% 47,940 45.24% 1,577 1.49%
2020 55,601 51.70% 50,164 46.65% 1,779 1.65%
2016 53,051 54.44% 39,775 40.82% 4,616 4.74%
2012 47,201 51.07% 43,856 47.45% 1,370 1.48%
2008 46,173 46.66% 51,041 51.57% 1,752 1.77%
2004 50,160 51.89% 44,647 46.19% 1,861 1.93%
2000 39,172 44.85% 41,806 47.87% 6,360 7.28%
1996 31,645 38.88% 37,375 45.92% 12,378 15.21%
1992 34,492 37.00% 33,686 36.14% 25,035 26.86%
1988 44,637 55.97% 34,227 42.91% 893 1.12%
1984 52,583 66.21% 26,564 33.45% 269 0.34%
1980 38,725 50.72% 26,705 34.98% 10,924 14.31%
1976 40,705 55.32% 32,419 44.06% 459 0.62%
1972 43,478 60.20% 27,929 38.67% 812 1.12%
1968 31,429 48.82% 29,340 45.57% 3,611 5.61%
1964 20,834 34.12% 40,172 65.78% 62 0.10%
1960 34,043 53.94% 29,062 46.05% 3 0.00%
1956 40,029 69.91% 17,226 30.09% 0 0.00%
1952 35,735 63.81% 20,163 36.00% 107 0.19%
1948 26,848 57.99% 18,628 40.23% 823 1.78%
1944 24,019 55.24% 19,212 44.19% 248 0.57%
1940 22,956 53.96% 19,537 45.92% 49 0.12%
1936 18,850 50.68% 17,468 46.97% 875 2.35%
1932 18,682 56.94% 13,469 41.05% 660 2.01%
1928 19,157 63.73% 10,766 35.81% 138 0.46%
1924 15,499 61.35% 6,645 26.30% 3,120 12.35%
1920 14,405 65.94% 6,938 31.76% 504 2.31%
1916 7,288 53.00% 6,183 44.96% 280 2.04%
1912 5,518 42.00% 4,661 35.48% 2,959 22.52%
1908 8,978 66.21% 4,128 30.44% 454 3.35%
1904 8,797 64.55% 4,500 33.02% 332 2.44%
1900 8,534 64.14% 4,554 34.23% 218 1.64%
1896 10,081 61.34% 5,771 35.11% 583 3.55%
1892 7,716 47.20% 7,998 48.93% 633 3.87%
1888 7,726 48.56% 7,582 47.65% 603 3.79%
1884 7,405 50.80% 6,601 45.28% 572 3.92%

Transportation

[edit]

Litchfield is served by the Northwestern Connecticut Transit District.[27][28]

Communities

[edit]
Map of Litchfield County, Connecticut showing cities, boroughs, towns, CDPs, and Indian Reservations
Map highlighting the Greater Torrington Micropolitan Area

Boroughs are incorporated portions of one or more towns with separate borough councils, zoning boards, and borough officials. Villages are named localities, but have no separate corporate existence from the towns they are in.

City

[edit]

Towns

[edit]

Telephone area codes

[edit]

All areas of the county are in area code 860 except for the towns of Woodbury, Bethlehem and a small part of Roxbury, which are in the area code 203/area code 475 overlay. The geographical Woodbury Telephone Exchange (of the now defunct Woodbury Telephone Company) serves the two towns as well as the town of Southbury, which is in New Haven County and the small part of Roxbury. Ten digit dialing took effect for both area codes on November 14, 2009, as a result of the 203/475 overlay and the planned but not implemented 860/959 overlay.

Attractions

[edit]

Education

[edit]

School districts in the county follow municipal boundaries.[29]

Full K-12 Districts

[edit]

Secondary-school DIstricts

[edit]

(There is also a privately-endowed publicly funded secondary school, Gilbert School)

Elementary-school Districts

[edit]

Private Schools[30]

[edit]

Litchfield County is home to a number of historic college-preparatory boarding schools, among which are:

Several schools provide boarding facilities for younger students with educational challenges:

Private day schools:

  • Arch Bridge School (3-12), Bethlehem
  • Faith Preparatory School (K-12), New Milford
  • Litchfield Montessori School (K-8), Northfield
  • St. Anthony School (K-8), Winstead
  • St. John Evangelist School (K-8), Watertown
  • St. Mary Magdalen School (K-8), Oakville
  • St. Peter/St. Francis School (K-8), Torrington
  • Torrington Christian Academy (K-12), Torrington
  • Touchstone School (9-11), Litchfield
  • Washington Montessori School (K-8), New Preston

See also

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
  • Henry W. Riecken, Jr., Nathan L. Whetten. 1948. Rural Social Organization in Litchfield County, Connecticut. Storrs.

References

[edit]

Media related to Litchfield County, Connecticut at Wikimedia Commons

  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Litchfield County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  2. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 187.
  3. ^ "Change to County-Equivalents in the State of Connecticut". Federal Register. Census Bureau. June 6, 2022.
  4. ^ "CCR: Volume 10, Page 56". Retrieved June 17, 2008. [dead link‍]
  5. ^ The public records of the colony of Connecticut [1636-1776] ... transcribed and published, (in accordance with a resolution of the general assembly) ..., vol.10 (May 1751-Feb.1757), Page 56. HathiTrust Digital Library. Brown & Parsons. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  6. ^ Newberry Library – Connecticut Atlas of Historical County Boundaries Archived November 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ 2d Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment - Unit History Archived January 7, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. The2dconn.com. Retrieved on July 15, 2013.
  8. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. ^ "American FactFinder - Community Facts". factfinder.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 11, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  16. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  17. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  18. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  19. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  20. ^ "SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  21. ^ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  22. ^ "ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  23. ^ "David Leip's election Atlas". uselectionatlas.org.
  24. ^ "David Leip's election Atlas". uselectionatlas.org.
  25. ^ "CT election autopsy: Trump expands map". November 10, 2016.
  26. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  27. ^ "Home - Northwestern CT Transit District, Torrington CT". Northwestern CT Transit District, Torrington CT.
  28. ^ "Getting on board" (PDF). www.ct.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  29. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Litchfield County, CT" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list
  30. ^ "Litchfield County, CT Private Schools". www.usa.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
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