Sprague, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Sprague is a town
in New London County
, Connecticut
, United States
. The town was named after William Sprague, who laid out the industrial section. The population was 2,971 at the 2000 census. Sprague is composed of three villages: Baltic, Hanover, and Versailles.
, the town has a total area of 13.8 square miles (35.8 km²), of which, 13.2 square miles (34.2 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (4.41%) is water.
The town hall is located in the Village of Baltic, and was constructed in the 1950s.
of 2000, there were 2,971 people, 1,111 households, and 797 families residing in the town. The population density
was 224.8 people per square mile (86.8/km²). There were 1,164 housing units at an average density of 88.1 per square mile (34.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.42% White, 0.71% African American, 0.64% Native American, 1.35% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races
, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.
There were 1,111 households out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples
living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $43,125, and the median income for a family was $57,500. Males had a median income of $40,808 versus $28,616 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $20,796. About 2.2% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.
. This river and festival attracts kayakers, canoe enthusiasts, tubers, and nature lovers. A companion festival is held each year in October, the Three Villages Festival. This is held in Baltic, on the public ball field and surrounding area.
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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 London County
New London County, Connecticut
New London County is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of 2010 the population was 274,055. The total area of the county is , including inland and coastal waters....
, 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 town was named after William Sprague, who laid out the industrial section. The population was 2,971 at the 2000 census. Sprague is composed of three villages: Baltic, Hanover, and Versailles.
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 13.8 square miles (35.8 km²), of which, 13.2 square miles (34.2 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (4.41%) is water.
Principal communities
- Baltic (town center)
- Hanover
- Versailles
The town hall is located in the Village of Baltic, and was constructed in the 1950s.
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 2,971 people, 1,111 households, and 797 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 224.8 people per square mile (86.8/km²). There were 1,164 housing units at an average density of 88.1 per square mile (34.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.42% White, 0.71% African American, 0.64% Native American, 1.35% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.37% 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 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.
There were 1,111 households out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% 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, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $43,125, and the median income for a family was $57,500. Males had a median income of $40,808 versus $28,616 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 $20,796. About 2.2% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.
Ecotourism and events
Sprague is quickly becoming a destination for eco-tourism, having held their first RiverFest, a celebration of the local Shetucket RiverShetucket River
The Shetucket River is a tributary of the Thames River, long, in eastern Connecticut in the United States.It is formed at Willimantic by the junction of the Willimantic and Natchaug rivers. It flows southeast and south...
. This river and festival attracts kayakers, canoe enthusiasts, tubers, and nature lovers. A companion festival is held each year in October, the Three Villages Festival. This is held in Baltic, on the public ball field and surrounding area.
Notable residents past and present
- Leo ConnellanLeo ConnellanLeo Connellan was an American poet born in Portland, Maine. He grew up in Rockland, Maine, spent much of his life in the environs of New York, and lived at the time of his death in Sprague, Connecticut...
(1928–2001), poet, lived his later years and died in town. - Charles S. WhitmanCharles S. WhitmanCharles Seymour Whitman served as the 41st Governor of New York from January 1915 to December 1918. He was also a delegate to Republican National Convention from New York in 1916.-Biography:...
(1868–1947), judge and the 41st Governor of New York, was born in town.
On the National Register of Historic Places
A historic district and two individual buildings in Sprague are listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational 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...
:
- AshlawnAshlawnThe Ashlawn is located in Sprague, Connecticut. The house was built in 1740 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 4, 1979....
— 1 Potash Hill Road (added July 4, 1979) - Baltic Historic DistrictBaltic Historic DistrictBaltic is a the town center village of the town of Sprague, Connecticut, and a census-designated place . The Sprague town hall is in Baltic...
— Roughly bounded by Fifth Avenue, River, High, Main, West Main, and the Shetucket River (added September 3, 1987) - William Park House — 330 Main Street (added March 7, 2007)