East Haddam, Connecticut | |
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 View of theGoodspeed Opera House (left) and Gelston House (right) from theConnecticut River | |
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 Middlesex County and Connecticut Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region and Connecticut | |
 Show East Haddam Show Connecticut Show the United States | |
| Coordinates:41°28′47″N72°23′40″W / 41.47972°N 72.39444°W /41.47972; -72.39444 | |
| Country | United States |
| U.S. state | Connecticut |
| County | Middlesex |
| Region | Lower CT River Valley |
| Incorporated | 1734 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Selectman–town meeting |
| • First selectman | Irene M. Haines (R) |
| Area | |
• Total | 56.6 sq mi (146.6 km2) |
| • Land | 54.3 sq mi (140.7 km2) |
| • Water | 2.2 sq mi (5.8 km2) |
| Elevation | 535 ft (163 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 8,875 |
| • Density | 163.4/sq mi (63.1/km2) |
| Demonym | East Haddamite |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP code | 06423, 06469 |
| Area codes | 860/959 |
| FIPS code | 09-22280 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213422[1] |
| Website | www |
East Haddam is atown inMiddlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of theLower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region. The population was 8,875 at the time of the2020 census.[2] It includes summer resorts, historical sites, and natural areas.
Until 1650, the area of East Haddam was inhabited by at least three Indigenous peoples: theWangunk, theMohegan and theNiantic. The Indigenous nations called the area "Machimoodus", the place of noises, because of numerous earthquakes that were recorded between 1638 and 1899. Loud rumblings, the "Moodus Noises", could be heard for miles surrounding the epicenter of the quakes near Mt. Tom. The land, which is nowHaddam and East Haddam, was purchased by settlers from the natives in 1662 for thirty coats, worth about $100.[3]
Layout of the highways began in 1669 with Creek Row about ¼ mile east of the River and Town Street “The Great Highway” about ¼ mile east of Creek Row. The first permanent settlers established homesteads along Creek Row in 1685. By 1700, there were thirty families living in East Haddam. Agricultural and timber farming, shipbuilding, tanneries and blacksmiths were among the early commerce. Captain John Chapman began ferry service across the Connecticut River in 1695, which ended with the completion of the swing bridge in 1913.
East Haddam was incorporated as a separate town from Haddam in 1734. By 1756, there were nearly 2,000 residents, with the Millington District as the most populated. Growth of commerce brought a surge in population to around 3,000 people by the mid-1800s. In the nineteenth century, Moodus was the “Twine Capital of America,” with twelve mills in operation.[4] In the winter of 1773, American patriotNathan Hale briefly taught in a one-room schoolhouse in East Haddam which is now a living history museum operated byConnecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Visitors and residents such as actorWilliam Gillette whose castle home was completed in 1914, were drawn to the area known for its rural charm and natural scenery. The growth of the resort areas of Lake Hayward, Bashan Lake and Moodus Reservoir began in the early 1900s and was a booming business for the next fifty years. Lake Hayward is a small private lake community within East Haddam that is home to around 120 families, most living at the lake only during summer months.[5]
East Haddam was listed as one of the 52 Places to Love in 2021 by theNew York Times.[6]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 56.6 square miles (147 km2), of which 54.3 square miles (141 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (3.96%) is water.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 2,749 | — | |
| 1800 | 2,805 | 2.0% | |
| 1810 | 2,537 | −9.6% | |
| 1820 | 2,572 | 1.4% | |
| 1830 | 2,664 | 3.6% | |
| 1840 | 2,620 | −1.7% | |
| 1850 | 2,610 | −0.4% | |
| 1860 | 3,056 | 17.1% | |
| 1870 | 2,951 | −3.4% | |
| 1880 | 3,032 | 2.7% | |
| 1890 | 2,599 | −14.3% | |
| 1900 | 2,485 | −4.4% | |
| 1910 | 2,422 | −2.5% | |
| 1920 | 2,312 | −4.5% | |
| 1930 | 2,114 | −8.6% | |
| 1940 | 2,217 | 4.9% | |
| 1950 | 2,554 | 15.2% | |
| 1960 | 3,637 | 42.4% | |
| 1970 | 4,676 | 28.6% | |
| 1980 | 5,621 | 20.2% | |
| 1990 | 6,676 | 18.8% | |
| 2000 | 8,333 | 24.8% | |
| 2010 | 9,126 | 9.5% | |
| 2020 | 8,875 | −2.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] | |||
As of thecensus[8] of 2000, there were 8,333 people, 3,174 households, and 2,285 families residing in the town. The population density was 153.4 inhabitants 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% fromother races, and 0.77% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino 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% weremarried 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. Theper capita income for the town was $28,112. About 1.0% of families and 2.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over. 2017 CERT Town Profile, click here.[9]
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005[10] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage | |
| Democratic | 1,529 | 91 | 1,620 | 28.72% | |
| Republican | 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% | |
| Presidential Election Results[11][12] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
| 2020 | 51.2%2,980 | 46.9%2,731 | 1.9%114 |
| 2016 | 45.9%2,331 | 49.0%2,487 | 5.1%259 |
| 2012 | 53.0%2,471 | 45.2%2,109 | 1.8%82 |
| 2008 | 58.9%2,874 | 39.3%1,918 | 1.8%87 |
| 2004 | 55.4%2,607 | 42.7%2,009 | 1.9%89 |
| 2000 | 52.8%2,186 | 40.7%1,687 | 6.5%271 |
| 1996 | 45.4%1,663 | 32.6%1,193 | 22.0%804 |
| 1992 | 37.3%1,468 | 26.5%1,042 | 36.2%1,427 |
| 1988 | 45.5%1,457 | 53.1%1,702 | 1.4%44 |
| 1984 | 36.9%1,112 | 62.7%1,885 | 0.4%11 |
| 1980 | 38.9%1,104 | 46.6%1,324 | 14.5%413 |
| 1976 | 50.4%1,308 | 49.3%1,280 | 0.3%9 |
| 1972 | 41.2%968 | 57.6%1,353 | 1.2%28 |
| 1968 | 49.1%1,028 | 44.1%922 | 6.8%143 |
| 1964 | 67.3%1,243 | 32.7%605 | 0.00%0 |
| 1960 | 50.2%930 | 49.8%921 | 0.00%0 |
| 1956 | 38.1%647 | 61.9%1,049 | 0.00%0 |
TheEast Haddam Public School System has about 1,100 students in grades Pre-K–12; about 121 certified teachers, 70 support staff and 7 administrators. Ms. Teresa DeBrito is superintendent of schools.[13]Located inMoodus, Connecticut, the three schools in the public school system are:
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Municipalities and communities ofMiddlesex County, Connecticut,United States | ||
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Municipalities and communities ofLower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut,United States | ||
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