Goshen, Connecticut | |
|---|---|
| Town of Goshen | |
 Goshen Academy building | |
 Seal | |
 Litchfield County and Connecticut Northwest Hills Planning Region and Connecticut | |
 Show Goshen Show Connecticut Show the United States | |
| Coordinates:41°51′05″N73°14′09″W / 41.85139°N 73.23583°W /41.85139; -73.23583 | |
| Country |  United States |
| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
| County | Litchfield |
| Region | Northwest Hills |
| Incorporated | 1739 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Selectman-town meeting |
| • First selectman | Todd Q. Carusillo (R) |
| • Selectman | Mark S. Harris (R) |
| • Selectman | Dexter Kinsella (D) |
| Area | |
• Total | 45.2 sq mi (117.0 km2) |
| • Land | 43.6 sq mi (113.0 km2) |
| • Water | 1.5 sq mi (4.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,319 ft (402 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 3,150 |
| • Density | 72.2/sq mi (27.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP code | 06756 |
| Area codes | 860/959 |
| FIPS code | 09-32290 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213433 |
| Website | www |
Goshen is atown inLitchfield County,Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,150 at the2020 census.[1] The town is part of theNorthwest Hills Planning Region.
Goshen is in central Litchfield County and is bordered to the east by the city ofTorrington. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town of Goshen has a total area of 45.2 square miles (117.0 km2), of which 43.6 square miles (113.0 km2) are land and 1.5 square miles (4.0 km2), or 3.44%, are water.[2] A large portion of theMohawk State Forest is located in the town. TheAppalachian Trail formerly passed through the town until it was re-routed west of theHousatonic River.
Other minor communities and geographic areas in the town are Hall Meadow, North Goshen, Tyler Lake, West Side, and Woodridge Lake. Woodridge Lake is private. It is only available to residents (it is not a gated community). They have access to the clubhouse, and all of the lake's beaches.
The town was incorporated in 1739, one year after settlement of the town center began. The community was named after theLand of Goshen, in Ancient Egypt.[3] TheCongregational church was founded the following year.[4] During the 18th century, Goshen was a farming, and later, prosperous business community. Gunmakers from the town such as the Medad Hills manufactured guns during theFrench and Indian War andRevolutionary War.
The first school in Goshen was built in 1753. A seminary for young women was established in 1819. The Goshen Academy was established several years later and became a well-regarded preparatory school during the 19th century.
Settlers from Goshen were the first to settleHudson Township, Summit County, Ohio, in theConnecticut Western Reserve.
Historic sites in the town include:
Connecticut Route 4 is the principal east–west through route in the town, whileConnecticut Route 63 serves as the main north–south road. Route 4 leads east into Torrington and west intoCornwall, while Route 63 leads northwest toSouth Canaan and southeast toLitchfield.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 1,585 | — | |
| 1850 | 1,457 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,381 | −5.2% | |
| 1870 | 1,223 | −11.4% | |
| 1880 | 1,093 | −10.6% | |
| 1890 | 972 | −11.1% | |
| 1900 | 835 | −14.1% | |
| 1910 | 675 | −19.2% | |
| 1920 | 675 | 0.0% | |
| 1930 | 683 | 1.2% | |
| 1940 | 778 | 13.9% | |
| 1950 | 940 | 20.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,288 | 37.0% | |
| 1970 | 1,351 | 4.9% | |
| 1980 | 1,706 | 26.3% | |
| 1990 | 2,329 | 36.5% | |
| 2000 | 2,697 | 15.8% | |
| 2010 | 2,976 | 10.3% | |
| 2020 | 3,150 | 5.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[5] | |||
As of thecensus[6] of 2000, there were 2,697 people, 1,066 households, and 814 families residing in the town. The population density was 61.8 inhabitants per square mile (23.9/km2). There were 1,482 housing units at an average density of 33.9 per square mile (13.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.26%White, 0.48%African American, 0.15%Native American, 0.74%Asian, and 0.37% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.22% of the population.
There were 1,066 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% weremarried couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 31.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $64,432, and the median income for a family was $72,452. Males had a median income of $48,125 versus $30,464 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $33,925. About 2.9% of families and 3.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
| Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 25, 2005[7] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active voters | Inactive voters | Total voters | Percentage | |
| Republican | 745 | 16 | 761 | 37.29% | |
| Democratic | 413 | 6 | 419 | 20.53% | |
| Unaffiliated | 827 | 33 | 860 | 42.14% | |
| Minor Parties | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.05% | |
| Total | 1,986 | 55 | 2,041 | 100% | |
| Presidential Election Results[8] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
| 2024 | 43.3%910 | 55.0%1,154 | 1.7%35 |
| 2020 | 43.0%902 | 55.3%1,161 | 1.7%37 |
| 2016 | 36.9%673 | 58.4%1,064 | 4.7%86 |
| 2012 | 42.0%751 | 56.9%1,017 | 1.1%19 |
| 2008 | 47.4%856 | 51.3%927 | 1.3%24 |
| 2004 | 42.2%715 | 56.3%954 | 1.5%27 |
| 2000 | 39.7%585 | 53.5%788 | 6.8%100 |
| 1996 | 39.6%518 | 45.6%597 | 14.8%194 |
| 1992 | 31.0%447 | 41.0%591 | 28.0%404 |
| 1988 | 33.9%403 | 64.7%769 | 1.4%16 |
| 1984 | 29.3%318 | 70.1%761 | 0.6%7 |
| 1980 | 29.8%286 | 56.0%538 | 14.2%137 |
| 1976 | 34.4%279 | 64.7%525 | 0.9%8 |
| 1972 | 30.5%225 | 67.9%501 | 2.6%12 |
| 1968 | 34.4%240 | 61.3%428 | 4.3%30 |
| 1964 | 51.6%329 | 48.4%309 | 0.00%0 |
| 1960 | 31.5%214 | 68.5%465 | 0.00%0 |
| 1956 | 20.2%123 | 79.8%485 | 0.00%0 |
Multiple events are hosted at the Goshen Fairgrounds each year, located on Route 63 south just outside the center of town. One such event is the Goshen Stampede, a festival held annually onFather's Day weekend that hosts arodeo,demolition derby, music festival, and truck pull. Later in the summer onLabor Day weekend is the annual Goshen Fair. As the county's largestagricultural fair, it features farm animal judgement shows, competition and contest in log chopping, log sawing, hay-bale throwing and the like. There are food, art, photography, baked goods, and craft contests, as well as rides for children, carnival games, and craft and food vendors. Attendance over the three days can range up to 50,000 people.
Traditionally at the beginning of August, and usually the first Saturday, the Church of Christ presents an Annual Blueberry Festival where they sell blueberry pies, blueberries and host a blueberry breakfast. It is very well known and people from all around the area come to enjoy the festival and the pies. The blueberry pies are available for sale all year long, as well as other flavors made by hand by the congregation (apple, peach, and blueberry-peach). Mini pies are also sold by the church at the Goshen Fair.
Cinzi Lavin’s playA Goodnight Kiss is based on the historical love-letters of two young Goshen residents during the Civil War. Produced and directed by Kathy Kelly, it premiered at Goshen Players in 2025.[9]
The town is also home to theGoshen Players.
Municipalities and communities ofNorthwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
Municipalities and communities ofLitchfield County, Connecticut,United States | ||
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| Consolidated city |  | |
| Towns | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| CDPs |
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| Other communities | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties. | |
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