New Fairfield, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
New Fairfield is a town
in Fairfield County
, Connecticut
, United States
. The population was 13,881 at the 2010 census. The town is considered part of the greater New York Metropolitan Area
and lies approximately 50 miles (80.5 km) from New York City. New Fairfield is one of five towns that surround Candlewood Lake
, the largest lake in Connecticut.
, the town has a total area of 25.1 square miles (65 km²), of which 20.5 square miles (53.1 km²) is land and 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), or 18.32%, is water.
There are four lakes in New Fairfield: Candlewood Lake
, Squantz Pond
, Ball Pond, and Margerie Reservoir. Candlewood Lake dominates the eastern side of the town and extends both north and south beyond the town borders. Once a summer resort destination, the lake within New Fairfield is now mostly populated with many year-round homes. To the north of New Fairfield, in the towns of Sherman
and New Milford
, the lakeshore still contains a large number of summer communities filled with residents from NYC and western New England.
Other minor named locales in the town are Bogus Hill, Candlewood Hills, Hillyview Drive, Hollywyle Park, Inglenook, Joyce Hill, Locust Glen, Sail Harbor, Possum Ridge, and Lavelle Avenue.
The newer communities with larger houses can be found in Sail Harbor. Many communities have large houses with direct waterfront access to Candlewood Lake, such as Sail Harbor, Candlewood Isle, and Bogus Hill. There has been many new subdivisions such as communities off Warwick Road, Route 39/37, Pine Hill, Beaver Bog, Dick Fin, and Shortwoods Road.
of 2000, there were 13,953 people, 4,638 households, and 3,905 families residing in the town. The population density
was 681.9 people per square mile (263.3/km²). There were 5,148 housing units at an average density of 251.6 per square mile (97.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.83% White, 0.39% African American, 0.04% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races
, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.82% of the population.
The 2000 census reported that New Fairfield was the most heavily Irish-American community in Connecticut, with about 32% of the residents claiming Irish ancestry http://www.courant.com/hc-irish-flash,0,6238126.flash?coll=hc-utility-home
There were 4,638 households out of which 44.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.3% were married couples
living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.8% were non-families. 12.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $84,375, and the median income for a family was $92,576. Males had a median income of $65,978 versus $40,284 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $34,928. About 1.0% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
, one middle school for grades 6 through 8, New Fairfield Middle School
, one elementary school for grades 3 to 5, Meeting House Hill School
, and a primary school for Kindergarten through grade 2, Consolidated School
and a preschool/day care center, Bright Beginnings.
s were introduced in 1963, the original Danbury code, 06810, also covered the whole of New Fairfield. When Danbury received additional ZIP codes in 1984, a new code, 06812, was introduced for New Fairfield.
New Fairfield was home to the Candlewood Playhouse, a 650-seat summer stock theater run by the Gateway Playhouse, currently operating in Bellport, New York
. The land once occupied by it is now a Stop and Shop supermarket.
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 Fairfield County
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
, 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 13,881 at the 2010 census. The town is considered part of the greater New York Metropolitan Area
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
and lies approximately 50 miles (80.5 km) from New York City. New Fairfield is one of five towns that surround Candlewood Lake
Candlewood Lake
Candlewood Lake, 8.4 sq mi , is located in Fairfield and Litchfield counties of western Connecticut, in the northeastern United States. It is the largest lake in Connecticut...
, the largest lake in Connecticut.
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 25.1 square miles (65 km²), of which 20.5 square miles (53.1 km²) is land and 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), or 18.32%, is water.
There are four lakes in New Fairfield: Candlewood Lake
Candlewood Lake
Candlewood Lake, 8.4 sq mi , is located in Fairfield and Litchfield counties of western Connecticut, in the northeastern United States. It is the largest lake in Connecticut...
, Squantz Pond
Squantz Pond State Park
Squantz Pond State Park is located approximately 8 miles north of Danbury, Connecticut in the towns of Sherman and New Fairfield, in Fairfield County. It is part of Candlewood Lake but is separated from the main body of the lake by Route 39. Squantz Pond is natural in origin; however, its level...
, Ball Pond, and Margerie Reservoir. Candlewood Lake dominates the eastern side of the town and extends both north and south beyond the town borders. Once a summer resort destination, the lake within New Fairfield is now mostly populated with many year-round homes. To the north of New Fairfield, in the towns of Sherman
Sherman, Connecticut
Sherman is the northernmost and least populous town of Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,581 at the 2010 census. The town is named for New Haven's Founding Father, Roger Sherman....
and New Milford
New Milford, Connecticut
New Milford is a town in southern Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States north of Danbury, on the Housatonic River. It is the largest town in the state in terms of land area at nearly . The population was 28,671 according to the Census Bureau's 2006 estimates...
, the lakeshore still contains a large number of summer communities filled with residents from NYC and western New England.
Principal communities
- Ball Pond
- Candlewood Isle
- Candlewood Knolls
- Candlewood Shores
- Knollcrest
- New Fairfield center
Other minor named locales in the town are Bogus Hill, Candlewood Hills, Hillyview Drive, Hollywyle Park, Inglenook, Joyce Hill, Locust Glen, Sail Harbor, Possum Ridge, and Lavelle Avenue.
The newer communities with larger houses can be found in Sail Harbor. Many communities have large houses with direct waterfront access to Candlewood Lake, such as Sail Harbor, Candlewood Isle, and Bogus Hill. There has been many new subdivisions such as communities off Warwick Road, Route 39/37, Pine Hill, Beaver Bog, Dick Fin, and Shortwoods Road.
Attractions
- Cosier-Murphy HouseCosier-Murphy HouseThe Cosier-Murphy House is a Greek Revival style house built in 1840 in New Fairfield, Connecticut. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991....
— 67 Route 39Route 39 (Connecticut)Route 39 is a north–south state highway in Connecticut. It is one of the main roads in downtown Danbury. Route 39 begins at the junction of Route 53 and 37, near I-84 , and runs for north through New Fairfield and Sherman, ending at Route 55 in Sherman.- Route description:Route 39 begins...
(added to the National Register of Historic Places August 31, 1991) - New Fairfield Historical DistrictNew Fairfield Historical DistrictThe New Fairfield Historical District is in New Fairfield, Connecticut. In 2005, the newly created state-funded Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism awarded its first Endangered Properties Grant to the Town of New Fairfield...
- Squantz Pond State ParkSquantz Pond State ParkSquantz Pond State Park is located approximately 8 miles north of Danbury, Connecticut in the towns of Sherman and New Fairfield, in Fairfield County. It is part of Candlewood Lake but is separated from the main body of the lake by Route 39. Squantz Pond is natural in origin; however, its level...
is partly in the town.
| Historical population of New Fairfieldhttp://www.sots.ct.gov/RegisterManual/SectionVII/SecVIITOC.htm |
|
| 1756 | 713 |
| 1774 | 1,308 |
| 1782 | 1,441 |
| 1790 | 1,573 |
| 1800 | 1,665 |
| 1810 | 772 |
| 1820 | 788 |
| 1830 | 939 |
| 1840 | 956 |
| 1850 | 927 |
| 1860 | 915 |
| 1870 | 870 |
| 1880 | 791 |
| 1890 | 670 |
| 1900 | 584 |
| 1910 | 551 |
| 1920 | 468 |
| 1930 | 434 |
| 1940 | 608 |
| 1950 | 1,236 |
| 1960 | 3,355 |
| 1970 | 6,991 |
| 1980 | 11,260 |
| 1990 | 12,911 |
| 2000 | 13,953 |
| 2010 | 13,881 |
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 13,953 people, 4,638 households, and 3,905 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 681.9 people per square mile (263.3/km²). There were 5,148 housing units at an average density of 251.6 per square mile (97.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.83% White, 0.39% African American, 0.04% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.52% 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 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.82% of the population.
The 2000 census reported that New Fairfield was the most heavily Irish-American community in Connecticut, with about 32% of the residents claiming Irish ancestry http://www.courant.com/hc-irish-flash,0,6238126.flash?coll=hc-utility-home
There were 4,638 households out of which 44.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.3% 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, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.8% were non-families. 12.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $84,375, and the median income for a family was $92,576. Males had a median income of $65,978 versus $40,284 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 $34,928. About 1.0% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The town has one high school, New Fairfield High SchoolNew Fairfield High School
New Fairfield High School is the only secondary school within New Fairfield, Connecticut. It enrolls approximately 900 students annually. The current principal of New Fairfield High School is Mariana Coelho. The school was constructed in the 1970s with open classrooms that were retrofitted with...
, one middle school for grades 6 through 8, New Fairfield Middle School
New Fairfield Middle School
New Fairfield Middle School is a middle school in New Fairfield, Connecticut, that is connected with the New Fairfield High School. Dr.Diane Hartman Chelsey is the principal. Christine Baldelli is the assistant principal.-External links:...
, one elementary school for grades 3 to 5, Meeting House Hill School
Meeting House Hill School
Meeting House Hill School is located in New Fairfield, Connecticut and has approximately 750 students. Each homeroom averages about 24 students and each grade level has ten or eleven classes....
, and a primary school for Kindergarten through grade 2, Consolidated School
Consolidated School
Consolidated School is a Pre-K to Grade 2 elementary school in New Fairfield, Connecticut and is part of the New Fairfield Public School District.- External links :**...
and a preschool/day care center, Bright Beginnings.
Zip code 06812
When ZIP codeZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
s were introduced in 1963, the original Danbury code, 06810, also covered the whole of New Fairfield. When Danbury received additional ZIP codes in 1984, a new code, 06812, was introduced for New Fairfield.
New Fairfield was home to the Candlewood Playhouse, a 650-seat summer stock theater run by the Gateway Playhouse, currently operating in Bellport, New York
Bellport, New York
Bellport is a village in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 2,363 at the 2000 census. The village is named after the Bell family, early settlers of the area. The public education system in Bellport makes up the South Country Central School District consisting of six...
. The land once occupied by it is now a Stop and Shop supermarket.
Notable residents (past and present)
- Margot AustinMargot AustinMargot Austin was born in Portland, Oregon and attended the National Academy of Design in New York. She illustrated many children's books and contributed to magazines including Jack and Jill Magazine. Among her many books was a series about small animals in the church of Parson Pease-Porridge,...
, author illustrator. - EmmureEmmureEmmure is an American band formed in 2003, originally based in Connecticut, but now residing in Queens, New York. The group has a total of seven releases...
(Joe & Ben Lionetti), metal band. - Jennifer RizzottiJennifer RizzottiJennifer Rizzotti is a retired American collegiate and professional basketball player, and current Division I coach. She is the daughter of Tom Rizzotti and Carol Rizzotti.-College:...
, UCONNUniversity of ConnecticutThe admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player, who once was featured on the cover of Sports IllustratedSports IllustratedSports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...