Waterford, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Waterford is a town
in New London County
, Connecticut
, United States
. It is named after Waterford, Ireland. The population was 19,152 at the 2000 census. The town center is listed as a census-designated place
(CDP).
, the town has a total area of 44.4 square miles (115 km²), of which, 32.8 square miles (85 km²) of it is land and 11.6 square miles (30 km²) of it (26.22%) is water. The town center CDP has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), all land.
Other minor communities and geographic features are: Dufree Hill, East Neck, Fog Plain, Gilead, Goshen, Great Neck, Harrisons, Lake's Pond, Logger Hill, Mago Point, Magonk, Mullen Hill, Oswegatchie, Pepperbox Road, Pleasure Beach, Ridgewood Park, Riverside Beach, Spithead, Strand, West Neck.
of 2000, there were 19,152 people, 7,542 households, and 5,219 families residing in the town. The population density
was 584.7 people per square mile (225.8/km²). There were 7,986 housing units at an average density of 243.8 per square mile (94.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.41% White, 2.22% African American, 0.48% Native American, 2.51% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races
, and 1.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.40% of the population.
There were 7,542 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples
living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $56,047, and the median income for a family was $65,659. Males had a median income of $47,312 versus $32,046 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $26,807. About 2.1% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.
2 of 2000, there were 2,935 people, 1,298 households, and 759 families residing in the town center CDP. The population density
was 1,465.7 inhabitants per square mile (566.6/km²). There were 1,379 housing units at an average density of 688.6 per square mile (266.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.65% White, 2.66% African American, 0.41% Native American, 2.28% Asian, 1.33% from other races
, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.93% of the population.
There were 1,298 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples
living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.5% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $42,409, and the median income for a family was $48,494. Males had a median income of $40,591 versus $29,015 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $22,083. About 5.9% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
Nuclear Power
Plant
. It is a popular tourist area. Millstone consists of three reactors
, the first built between 1966 and 1970. While Millstone's first reactor is no longer in operation, the remaining two still provide power to a variety of towns in New England
.
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...
. It is named after Waterford, Ireland. The population was 19,152 at the 2000 census. The town center is listed as a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP).
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 44.4 square miles (115 km²), of which, 32.8 square miles (85 km²) of it is land and 11.6 square miles (30 km²) of it (26.22%) is water. The town center CDP has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), all land.
Principal communities
- Graniteville
- Jordan
- Millstone
- Morningside Park
- Quaker HillQuaker HillQuaker Hill is a village or neighborhood in the town of Waterford, Connecticut, in the southeastern part of the state.It is located in the northeast corner of the town, on the west bank of the Thames River north of New London, and centered around the intersection of the Old Norwich Road and the...
(06375)- Bartlett Point, Best View, Cohanzie, Thames View
Other minor communities and geographic features are: Dufree Hill, East Neck, Fog Plain, Gilead, Goshen, Great Neck, Harrisons, Lake's Pond, Logger Hill, Mago Point, Magonk, Mullen Hill, Oswegatchie, Pepperbox Road, Pleasure Beach, Ridgewood Park, Riverside Beach, Spithead, Strand, West Neck.
Demographics
This town consists of a wide variety of rural and city living. Many residents live in apartments as well. 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 19,152 people, 7,542 households, and 5,219 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 584.7 people per square mile (225.8/km²). There were 7,986 housing units at an average density of 243.8 per square mile (94.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.41% White, 2.22% African American, 0.48% Native American, 2.51% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.74% 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 1.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.40% of the population.
There were 7,542 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% 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, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $56,047, and the median income for a family was $65,659. Males had a median income of $47,312 versus $32,046 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 $26,807. About 2.1% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.
Town center
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...
2 of 2000, there were 2,935 people, 1,298 households, and 759 families residing in the town center CDP. 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 1,465.7 inhabitants per square mile (566.6/km²). There were 1,379 housing units at an average density of 688.6 per square mile (266.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.65% White, 2.66% African American, 0.41% Native American, 2.28% Asian, 1.33% 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 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.93% of the population.
There were 1,298 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% 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, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.5% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $42,409, and the median income for a family was $48,494. Males had a median income of $40,591 versus $29,015 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 CDP was $22,083. About 5.9% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- Veronica BallestriniVeronica BallestriniVeronica Ballestrini is an Italian-American country music singer and songwriter from Waterford, Connecticut. Her self-made success story has caught national attention as Jon Caramanica wrote in the New York Times, "...When someone like Ms...
, country music artist - Martin BrannerMartin BrannerMartin Michael Branner , known to his friends as Mike Branner, was a cartoonist who created the popular comic strip Winnie Winkle...
, cartoonist (Winnie WinkleWinnie WinkleWinnie Winkle was an American comic strip which appeared over a 76-year span . Created by Martin Branner, who wrote the strip for over 40 years, Winnie Winkle was one of the first comic strips about working women. It was titled Winnie Winkle the Breadwinner until 1943...
) - Billy GardnerBilly GardnerWilliam Frederick Gardner is an American former Major League Baseball player, coach and manager. Gardner was a scrappy light-hitting second baseman who batted and threw right-handed. Gardner played for the New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees,...
, MLB player/manager - Audrey MeadowsAudrey MeadowsAudrey Meadows was an American actress best known for her role as the deadpan housewife Alice Kramden on the 1950s American television comedy The Honeymooners.-Early life:...
, actress (The Honeymooners) - Jesse MetcalfeJesse MetcalfeJesse Eden Metcalfe is an American actor, best known for his role on Desperate Housewives as John Rowland. He is also notable for his portrayal of Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald on the soap opera Passions and his starring role as the title character in the movie John Tucker Must Die.-Early life:Metcalfe...
, actor
Economy
Waterford's economic center is predominantly retail chains, including a variety of mini malls and the Crystal Mall. There are several family-owned delicatessens and restaurants. It is also home to Dominion's MillstoneMillstone Nuclear Power Plant
The Millstone Nuclear Power Station is the only nuclear power generation site in Connecticut. It is located at a former quarry in Waterford...
Nuclear Power
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
Plant
Power station
A power station is an industrial facility for the generation of electric energy....
. It is a popular tourist area. Millstone consists of three reactors
Nuclear reactor
A nuclear reactor is a device to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction. Most commonly they are used for generating electricity and for the propulsion of ships. Usually heat from nuclear fission is passed to a working fluid , which runs through turbines that power either ship's...
, the first built between 1966 and 1970. While Millstone's first reactor is no longer in operation, the remaining two still provide power to a variety of towns in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
.
Attractions
- The Connecticut College ArboretumConnecticut College ArboretumThe Connecticut College Arboretum is a 300 ha arboretum and botanical gardens, founded in 1931, and located on the campus of Connecticut College and in the towns of New London and Waterford, Connecticut, USA...
is a 750 acres (3 km²) arboretumArboretumAn arboretum in a narrow sense is a collection of trees only. Related collections include a fruticetum , and a viticetum, a collection of vines. More commonly, today, an arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study...
and botanical gardenBotanical gardenA botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
which lies partially within Quaker HillQuaker HillQuaker Hill is a village or neighborhood in the town of Waterford, Connecticut, in the southeastern part of the state.It is located in the northeast corner of the town, on the west bank of the Thames River north of New London, and centered around the intersection of the Old Norwich Road and the...
Village, a district of Waterford. - The Eugene O'Neill Theater CenterEugene O'Neill Theater CenterThe Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut is a 501 not-for-profit theater company founded in 1964 by George C. White. The O'Neill is the recipient of the . The O'Neill is home to the National Theater Institute , and several major theater conferences including the...
is also located in Waterford. O'NeillEugene O'NeillEugene Gladstone O'Neill was an American playwright and Nobel laureate in Literature. His poetically titled plays were among the first to introduce into American drama techniques of realism earlier associated with Russian playwright Anton Chekhov, Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, and Swedish...
was a famous playwright. The theater is now a historical location of Waterford. - Waterford Beach
- Harkness Memorial State ParkHarkness Memorial State ParkHarkness Memorial State Park is a public park and botanical garden located in Waterford, Connecticut, on the Long Island Sound.The park was formerly Eolia, the estate of Edward Harkness, heir to a fortune initiated by his father's substantial investments in John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil, who...
is a recreational area that provides a picturesque view of Long Island SoundLong Island SoundLong Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
. The park features the former mansion, gardens and grounds of Edward HarknessEdward HarknessEdward Stephen Harkness was an American philanthropist. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, one of four sons to Stephen V. Harkness, a harness-maker who invested in the forerunner of Standard Oil, John D. Rockefeller's oil company. Harkness inherited a fortune from his father...
, who bought the property in 1907. Activities include fishing, formal gardening, golf, and tours of the mansion, known as Eolia. The Harkness estate is also open for formal occasions including weddings, and is often used for group photography.
- Adjacent to the Harkness Memorial State Park is Camp Harkness for the Handicapped, a summer facility for children and adults with physical and/or mental disabilities. Most of what is now Camp Harkness for the Handicapped was once a golf course, but there is no longer a trace of this golf course in evidence.
- The Waterford SpeedbowlWaterford SpeedbowlWaterford Speedbowl is a 3/8 mile asphalt oval race track located on Rte 85 in Waterford, Connecticut, just off Interstate 395. It first opened for business on April 15, 1951 as "The New London-Waterford Speed Bowl", the track has been in continuous operation every season since it initially opened...
is a racetrack recognized under NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
’s Whelen All-American Series, and holds touring events throughout the year including the True Value Modified Series, International Super Modified Association, and North Eastern Midget Association. The track formerly held events sanctioned by the Whelen Modified TourWhelen Modified TourThe NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR in the Modified division. The Modified division is NASCAR's oldest division, and its one of two open-wheeled divisions...
and the Busch East series. It is usually open every Saturday and includes events such as burnout contests and car shows. - As of September 2009, Waterford is the new home of the game show Deal or No DealDeal or No Deal (U.S. syndicated game show)Deal or No Deal is an American game show, a daytime version of the American series of the same name that is syndicated by NBCUniversal Television Distribution. It premiered on September 8, 2008 and is hosted by Howie Mandel. The format is similar to the UK version of the show...
.