East Haddam, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
East Haddam is a town
in Middlesex County
, Connecticut
, United States. The population was 8,333 at the 2000 census.
, the town has a total area of 56.6 square miles (147 km²) , of which, 54.3 square miles (141 km²) of it is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) of it (3.96%) is water.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 8,333 people, 3,174 households, and 2,285 families residing in the town. The population density
was 153.4 people per square mile (59.2/km²). There were 4,015 housing units at an average density of 73.9 per square mile (28.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.26% White, 0.84% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.46% from other races
, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of the population.
There were 3,174 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples
living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $62,304, and the median income for a family was $70,091. Males had a median income of $45,500 versus $36,055 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $28,112. About 1.0% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.
Located in Moodus, Connecticut
, the three schools in the public school system are:
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 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. The population was 8,333 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 56.6 square miles (147 km²) , of which, 54.3 square miles (141 km²) of it is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) of it (3.96%) is water.
Principal communities
- Bashan
- East Haddam Center
- LeesvilleLeesville (East Haddam)Leesville is a village in the town of East Haddam, Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. Leesville is located on Connecticut Route 151 north of the East Haddam town center. Leesville was originally named Lord's Mills after an oil mill in the community; the oil mill was the first in...
- Little Haddam
- MillingtonMillington (East Haddam)Millington is a village within the town of East Haddam, Connecticut. Millington lies halfway between East Haddam center and Salem center. It is the section of East Haddam that is the closest to Devil's Hopyard State Park. The village is connected to East Haddam Center and to Devil's Hopyard State...
- MoodusMoodus (village)Moodus is a census-designated place in East Haddam, a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,263 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- North Plain
Demographics
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...
of 2000, there were 8,333 people, 3,174 households, and 2,285 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 153.4 people per square mile (59.2/km²). There were 4,015 housing units at an average density of 73.9 per square mile (28.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.26% White, 0.84% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.46% 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 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of the population.
There were 3,174 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% 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, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $62,304, and the median income for a family was $70,091. Males had a median income of $45,500 versus $36,055 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 $28,112. About 1.0% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage |
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... |
1,529 | 91 | 1,620 | 28.72% |
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... |
1,181 | 56 | 1,237 | 21.93% |
Unaffiliated | 2,598 | 179 | 2,777 | 49.24% |
Minor Parties | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0.11% | |
| Total | 5,313 | 327 | 5,640 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Public
The East Haddam Public School System has about 1,420 students in grades PreK–12; about 121 certified teachers, 70 support staff and 8 administrators. Dr. Ellen Solek is superintendent of schools.Located in Moodus, Connecticut
Moodus, Connecticut
Moodus is a census-designated place in East Haddam, a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,263 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, the three schools in the public school system are:
- Nathan HaleNathan HaleNathan Hale was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He volunteered for an intelligence-gathering mission in New York City but was captured by the British...
-Ray High School (grades 9–12) - about 418 students - Nathan Hale-Ray Middle School (Grades 4–8) - about 573 students
- East Haddam Elementary School (Grades Pre–K3) - about 430 students
Private
- Franklin Academy – "A Boarding and Day School for Students with Nonverbal Learning Differences in grades 8-12", according to the school's Web site. The private, nonprofit school was opened in 2003 and has a campus of 75 acres (303,514.5 m²).
Cultural
- East Haddam Historical Society Museum – local history exhibits, including pictures of the construction of the East Haddam swing bridge, the world's largest.
- Gillette Castle State ParkGillette Castle State ParkGillette Castle State Park is straddling the towns of East Haddam and Lyme, Connecticut, in the United States. Sitting high above the Connecticut River, the castle was originally a private residence commissioned and designed by William Gillette, an American actor who is most famous for his...
, on Route 82 - Goodspeed Opera House, on Route 82 near the East Haddam BridgeEast Haddam BridgeThe East Haddam Bridge is a steel, movable truss bridge composed of two main spans crossing the Connecticut River between Haddam, Connecticut and East Haddam, Connecticut. The bridge carries Route 82, with an average daily traffic of 11,600....
- Nathan Hale School House, one of two Nathan Hale School Houses in Connecticut, at 149 Devil's Hopyard State Park, on Hopyard Road off Route 82
Natural
- Eagle viewing sites:
- Along the Connecticut RiverConnecticut RiverThe Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
at the Town Office parking lot - Near Riverhouse, overlooking the north side of the East Haddam Bridge
- Along the Connecticut River
- Devil's Hopyard State ParkDevil's Hopyard State ParkDevil's Hopyard State Park is located in East Haddam, Connecticut at a scenic waterfall on the Eightmile River.-History:In 1919, the former State Park and Forest Commission obtained an parcel located in the Millington section of East Haddam. The principal feature of the park, Chapman Falls, drops...
- Lake HaywardLake Hayward (Connecticut)Lake Hayward is a spring-fed lake in the northern section of East Haddam, Connecticut.It is 1.5 miles long and 0.5 miles wide and was originally called Long Pond. The lake has four private beaches and does not allow motorboats with gasoline engines. The western side of the lake is overseen and...
, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long, 0.5 miles (804.7 m) wide spring-fed lake in northern section of East Haddam. Originally called Long Pond.
Notable residents
- George ComerGeorge ComerCaptain George Comer was considered the most famous American whaling captain of Hudson Bay, and the world's foremost authority on Hudson Bay Inuit in the early 20th century....
(1858–1937), polar explorer and whaler who called East Haddam his home for most of his life. The Comer Strait of northern Southampton IslandSouthampton IslandSouthampton Island is a large island at the entrance to Hudson Bay at Foxe Basin. One of the larger members of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Southampton Island is part of the Kivalliq Region in Nunavut, Canada. The area of the island is stated as by Statistics Canada . It is the 34th largest...
and the almost flightless Gallinula comeriGough Island MoorhenThe Gough Moorhen, Gallinula comeri, is a medium-sized, almost flightless bird that is similar to the Common Moorhen , but is smaller, stockier, and has shorter wings. The bird has a distinctive bill that is reddish with a yellow tip. Its first account was written by the polar explorer George...
were named in his honor. - Christopher DoddChristopher DoddChristopher John "Chris" Dodd is an American lawyer, lobbyist, and Democratic Party politician who served as a United States Senator from Connecticut for a thirty-year period ending with the 111th United States Congress....
, a former United States SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
for Connecticut, lives in East Haddam. - Bill Griffith (*1944) famous cartoonist.
- Uriel HolmesUriel HolmesUriel Holmes was a United States Representative from Connecticut. He was born in East Haddam, Connecticut, and then moved with his parents to Hartland, Connecticut. He attended the common schools and graduated from Yale College in 1784...
(1764–1827), United States Representative from Connecticut was born in East Haddam. - Joseph SpencerJoseph SpencerJoseph Spencer was an American lawyer, soldier, and statesman from Connecticut. During the Revolutionary War, he served both as a delegate to the Continental Congress and as a major general in the Continental Army....
, lawyer, soldier, and statesman during the Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary WarThe American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, was born and died in East Haddam.
External links
- Town government Web site
- Tourism & Economic Development Web site
- East Haddam Public Schools
- East Haddam pictures from Simon Pure Productions Web site
- Essay on the early history of East Haddam from Simon Pure Productions Web site
- Central Regional Tourism District
- Goodspeed Opera House
- Rathbun Memorial Library
- East Haddam Free Public Library
- East Haddam Land Trust
- Official Gillette Castle State Park Web site
- another Web page about Gillette Castle State Park
- Eightmile River Study Committee Web site