Manchester, Connecticut | |
|---|---|
| Town of Manchester | |
 Town Hall | |
 Flag | |
| Nickname: Silk City | |
| Motto: "City of Village Charm" | |
 Hartford County and Connecticut Capitol Planning Region and Connecticut | |
 Show Manchester Show Connecticut Show the United States | |
| Coordinates:41°46′31″N72°31′27″W / 41.77528°N 72.52417°W /41.77528; -72.52417 | |
| Country |  United States |
| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
| County | Hartford |
| Region | Capitol Region |
| Founded | 1672 |
| Incorporated | 1823 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager |
| • Town Manager | Steve Stephanou |
| • Board of Directors | Jay Moran (D), Mayor; Sarah Jones (D), Deputy Mayor; Dennis Schain(D), Secretary; Pamela Floyd-Cranford (D); Peter Conyers (R); Leslie Frey (R); Jessee Muniz Poland (D); Ed Boland (R) Jerald Lentini (D); |
| Area | |
• Total | 27.7 sq mi (71.7 km2) |
| • Land | 27.3 sq mi (70.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.42 sq mi (1.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 272 ft (83 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 59,713 |
| • Density | 2,191/sq mi (845.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 06040–06042, 06045 |
| Area codes | 860/959 |
| FIPS code | 09-44700 |
| GNIS feature ID | 213455[1] |
| Interstates |  |
| List of auxiliary Interstate Highways |   |
| U.S. Highways |  |
| Website | www |
Manchester is a town inHartford County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of theCapitol Planning Region. As of the2020 census, the town had a total population of 59,713. The urban center of the town is theManchester census-designated place, with a population of 36,379 at the 2020 census.[2] The town is named afterManchester, inEngland.[3]
The area known as Manchester began its recorded history as the camping grounds of a small band of peacefulNative Americans known as thePodunk tribe. The area was settled by colonists around 1673, some 40 years afterThomas Hooker led a group ofPuritans fromMassachusetts Bay Colony to foundHartford.[4]
At the time, the community was known asOrford Parish, a name that can still be found on the memorial to localRevolutionary War soldiers. The many rivers and brooks provided power for paper, lumber, andtextile industries, and the town quickly evolved into an industrial center. The town of Hartford once included the land now occupied by the towns of Manchester,East Hartford, andWest Hartford. In 1783, East Hartford became a separate town, which included Manchester in its city limits until 1823.[5]
The Pitkin Glassworks operated from 1783 to 1830 as the first successful glassworks in Connecticut. The owner of the glassworks, Captain Richard Pitkin, was given a 25-year monopoly on glass as recompense for providing gunpowder to theContinental Army during theAmerican Revolution.[6] ThePitkin Glassworks Ruin has been preserved by the town's historical society.
In 1838, the Cheney family started what became the world's largestsilk mill. Eventually, the Cheney family employed a quarter of residents and actively recruited immigrants to work in the mills. The manufacturing presence in the town made Manchester an ideal industrial community. The mills, houses of the owners, and homes of the workers are now part of theCheney Brothers Historic District, aNational Historic Landmark.
Also of note are the E.E. Hilliard Company Woolen Mills. Foundedc. 1780 by Aaron Buckland and later sold to the Hilliard family, theHilliard Mills are the oldest woolen mill site in the country.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, Manchester has a total area of 27.7 square miles (71.7 km2), of which 27.4 square miles (71.0 km2) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.7 km2), or 1.00%, is water.[7] The Manchester census-designated place consists of the urban center of the town and has a total area of 6.5 square miles (16.8 km2), or about 23% of the town's total area. A total of 6.4 square miles (16.7 km2) of Manchester is land, and 0.039 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.56%, is water.[8]
Top employers in Manchester according to the town's 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.[9]
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Town of Manchester | 1,918 |
| 2 | Prospect ECHN | 1,500 |
| 3 | Manchester Community College | 960 |
| 4 | Ahold Delhaize USA | 550 |
| 5 | Amazon | 500 |
| 6 | Allied Printing | 362 |
| 7 | Flex LTD | 355 |
| 8 | Paradigm | 350 |
| 9 | Macy's | 300 |
| 10 | Walmart | 300 |
As home to the Cheney family silk fortune, Manchester was a center of the American silk industry from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, and was an integral component of not only the economy but success of the town. Today, theCheney Brothers Historic District[10] showcases mills refurbished as apartments and includes nearby museums.
Manchester posted a total revenue, as of 2017, of $202,901,000, with total expenditures of $199 million, including $133 million towards education.[11] The median rent between 2013–2017 was $1,181, higher than both the county and state medians. The top employing industries are retail trade, health care and social assistance, manufacturing, and government; and the top employers are the Town of Manchester, the Board of Education, Eastern Connecticut Health Network, Inc., and Allied Printing.[12]
The town is home toThe Shoppes at Buckland Hills, as well asShady Glen, a restaurant recognized by theJames Beard Foundation in 2012 as an American classic, and has been featured onFood Network.[13][14]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[15] | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 43,820 | 38,457 | 31,454 | 80.05% | 66.03% | 52.68% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 4,430 | 6,602 | 8,832 | 8.09% | 11.34% | 14.79% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 85 | 103 | 144 | 0.16% | 0.17% | 0.24% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 1,713 | 4,591 | 6,249 | 3.13% | 7.88% | 10.47% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 18 | 19 | 15 | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 144 | 138 | 391 | 0.26% | 0.24% | 0.65% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 951 | 1,343 | 2,303 | 1.74% | 2.31% | 3.86% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3,579 | 6,988 | 10,325 | 6.54% | 12.00% | 17.29% |
| Total | 54,740 | 58,241 | 59,713 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Reflecting national trends, Manchester has diversified significantly in recent decades.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 2,546 | — | |
| 1860 | 3,294 | 29.4% | |
| 1870 | 4,223 | 28.2% | |
| 1880 | 6,462 | 53.0% | |
| 1890 | 8,222 | 27.2% | |
| 1900 | 10,601 | 28.9% | |
| 1910 | 13,641 | 28.7% | |
| 1920 | 18,370 | 34.7% | |
| 1930 | 21,973 | 19.6% | |
| 1940 | 23,799 | 8.3% | |
| 1950 | 34,116 | 43.4% | |
| 1960 | 42,102 | 23.4% | |
| 1970 | 47,994 | 14.0% | |
| 1980 | 49,761 | 3.7% | |
| 1990 | 51,618 | 3.7% | |
| 2000 | 54,740 | 6.0% | |
| 2010 | 58,241 | 6.4% | |
| 2020 | 59,713 | 2.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[18] | |||
As of the 2000 census,[19] there were 54,740 people, 23,197 households, and 14,010 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,008.2 inhabitants per square mile (775.4/km2). There were 24,256 housing units at an average density of 889.9 per square mile (343.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 82.77%White, 8.42%African American, 0.20%Native American, 3.15%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 3.12% fromother races, and 2.31% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 6.54% of the population.
There were 23,197 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% weremarried couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. Of all households, 31.1% were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $49,426, and the median income for a family was $58,769. Males had a median income of $41,893 versus $32,562 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $25,989. About 6.0% of families and 8.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.
Stemming from a heritage of historic culture, Manchester is home to the second-oldest operatingpipe band in the United States, theManchester Pipe Band, a grade 2 pipe band, which was founded in 1914.[20] Cheney Hall is the home of The Little Theater of Manchester, a 60 year old community theater group. The city is also home to a nonprofit orchestra, the Manchester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, which has been performing and educating youths in music in the community since 1960.[21]
Manchester hosts four museums. The Fire Museum is housed in a restored 1901firehouse building. The museum'sfirefighting equipment and memorabilia include leather fire buckets used in colonial times, a display showing the evolution ofsprinkler systems, a horse-drawn hose wagon, a 1921 Ahrens-Fox firepumper, and a 105-foot (32 m) 1911 water tower.[22] TheLutz Children's Museum has participatory exhibits covering art, history, science, nature andethnology. The museum's permanent collection includes small live animals.[23] The Old Manchester Museum, focusing on local history, is operated by the Manchester Historical Society. Permanent exhibits include examples of Cheney silk, Pitkin glass, andSpencer Repeating Rifles; the museum also houses the Manchester Sports Hall of Fame.[24] The Cheney Homestead Museum is an eighteenth-century house of the founders of the Cheney Brothers Silk Company. On exhibit are examples of period furniture and artwork.[25] Also on site is the one-room Keeney Schoolhouse dating from 1751.[26]
Wickham Park, a non-profit private foundation, is located on Manchester andEast Hartford property. The 53-acre (210,000 m2) Oak Grove Nature Center is a nature preserve with rivers, ponds, and hiking trails and hosts educational nature classes aimed at children.[23]Case Mountain Recreational Area, located in the less populated southeast corner of Manchester, is popular for hiking, mountain biking, and has a great view of the Hartford skyline to the west. Charter Oak Park, located in downtown, is popular for basketball, softball, and tennis, and includes four community soccer field. The park underwent a $2 million renovation in 2017 which improved existing infrastructure in addition to adding a musical garden, jogging tracks, bathrooms, and an upgraded playground.[27]
The annual auto showCruisin' on Main Street is held every August and is one of the largest shows of its kind in the northeast, showcasing over 14,000 vintage and rare vehicles and attracting over 400,000 visitors since its inception in 2001. The event has also endowed an annual scholarship for local area high school students pursuing further education.[28][29]
Manchester Country Club opened in 1917 and was originally designed by Tom Bendelow and Deveroux Emmet. In 1935, it was redesigned in by A.W. Tillinghast. The golf course features a classical New England design and holds an annual open tournament.[30]
Perhaps the most enduring sports legacy of the town is theManchester Road Race, a 4.748 mile footrace which is held every Thanksgiving morning. It is the second most popular race in New England, behind theBoston Marathon. The event attracts over 10,000 participants, including Olympians, world record holders, and international athletes, in addition to thousands of spectators.[31] The race was first run in 1927, and benefits muscular dystrophy research as well as over a dozen other charities.[32]
TheManchester Silkworms, named for the town's storied past as a silk producer and the world's largest silk mill, were a collegiate summer baseball team founded in 2000. Several former players continued their career to themajor leagues, including former Red Sox catcher and veteranRyan Lavarnway. The team relocated toLaconia, New Hampshire, after the 2009 season.
| Year | Democratic | Republican |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 68.39%19,455 | 29.98%8,530 |
| 2016 | 60.83%15,109 | 33.65%8,358 |
| 2012 | 65.21%15,565 | 33.35%7,961 |
| 2008 | 66.85%17,782 | 31.79%8,457 |
| 2004 | 59.58%15,269 | 38.82%9,949 |
| 2000 | 58.70%14,184 | 35.34%8,541 |
| 1996 | 54.39%13,003 | 31.33%7,490 |
| 1992 | 43.39%12,266 | 32.30%9,132 |
| 1988 | 51.33%12,891 | 47.82%12,009 |
| 1984 | 40.07%10,023 | 59.48%14,878 |
| 1980 | 38.39%9,459 | 43.99%10,839 |
| 1976 | 47.56%11,690 | 51.79%12,728 |
| 1972 | 42.23%10,413 | 56.96%14,044 |
| 1968 | 50.74%11,052 | 44.65%9,725 |
| 1964 | 68.79%14,548 | 31.21%6,601 |
| 1960 | 48.99%10,454 | 51.01%10,885 |
The town was governed in the old New England tradition oftown meeting until 1907, when the town adopted a new charter, creating a more efficient method of governing, with a Board of Selectmen charged with the responsibility of running the town. In the mid-twentieth century, Manchester adopted a new charter constituting acouncil-manager government that is still in use today.[4]
The legislative function is performed by a bipartisan Board of Directors consisting of nine board members, who are elected biennially for two year terms. The Board of Directors elects a Mayor from its membership for the two year term, and also appoints the General Manager.[34]
| Representative | Chamber | District | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey Currey | House of Representatives | 11th | Dem |
| Jason Doucette | House of Representatives | 13th | Dem |
| Geoff Luxenberg | House of Representatives | 12th | Dem |
| Jason Rojas | House of Representatives | 9th | Dem |
| Representative | Chamber | District | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD Rahman | Senate | 4th | Dem |
| Representative | Chamber | District | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| John B. Larson | Congress | 1st | Dem |
In addition to being represented in the U.S. Senate byRichard Blumenthal andChris Murphy.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 26, 2021[36] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active voters | Inactive voters | Total voters | Percentage | |
| Democratic | 13,788 | 1,431 | 15,219 | 40.74% | |
| Republican | 5,236 | 505 | 5,741 | 15.37% | |
| Unaffiliated | 13,629 | 2,019 | 15,648 | 41.89% | |
| Minor parties | 659 | 87 | 746 | 2.00% | |
| Total | 33,312 | 4,042 | 37,354 | 100% | |
Traditional district schools
Manchester is home to a local newspaper, theJournal Inquirer, which serves all of Manchester and the surrounding areas. TheHartford Courant also has a facility in Manchester and can be delivered anywhere in town.
The Manchester Fire Department was created when Manchester Fire Rescue EMS and the Eighth Utilities District merged following a vote of the taxpayers of the Eighth Utilities District. The vote took place on February 1, 2023, with an official merger date of July 1, 2023. The Manchester Fire Department is a full-time career department that operates from seven firehouses. The department staffs four engine companies, one rescue engine company, two truck companies and a Battalion Chief with a minimum of 24 on-duty personnel consisting of 7 Lieutenants, 16 firefighters and 1 Battalion Chief. The department is an all hazards agency, providing a range of services including fire suppression, fire prevention, vehicle extrication, high and low angle rope rescue, confined space rescue, hazardous materials response, and Advanced Life Support (paramedic level) medical care.[37]
The Town of Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS Department was organized in 1897 after a fire destroyed the Weldon business block. It was a full-time career department that operated from five strategically located firehouses. The department staffed three engine companies, one rescue engine company, one truck company, and a shift commander vehicle with a minimum of 17 on-duty personnel (five Lieutenants, eleven Firefighters, and one Battalion Chief). The department was an all hazards agency providing a range of services including fire suppression, fire prevention, vehicle extrication, high and low angle rope rescue, confined space rescue, hazardous materials response, and Advanced Life Support (paramedic level) medical care.[37]
The Manchester Fire Department-Eighth Utilities District was a combination (paid and volunteer) fire department, established in 1888 as a separate fire department within the northwest corner of the town. It was not affiliated with the Town of Manchester government and was instead governed by its own board of directors. The department had four firefighters on duty 24/7, with coverage provided by full time career firefighters and part time paid firefighters. On the weekdays during the hours of 0800–1600, staffing increased with the addition of one full time career Assistant Chief and one full time career Firefighter/Mechanic. Volunteers provided additional coverage whenever available. The department provided fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue, hazardous material response, and Basic Life Support (EMT level) medical care.
The Manchester Police Department was established in 1896. It is staffed by approximately 120 officers. The department is led by Chief William Darby.
The Manchester Police Department consists of 3 divisions, Field Services, Support Services, and Administrative Services.
The Field Services Division encompasses numerous aspects of the Manchester Police Department. The Patrol Lieutenants, Sergeants, and Officers, providing the Town of Manchester with public safety services all hours of that day and night, is the backbone of the agency.
Uniformed Services Section, commonly referred to as Patrol, provides 24-hour uniformed police coverage and services to the Town of Manchester, initiates preliminary investigations, investigates traffic collisions, and enforces traffic laws. In addition, the Field Services Division includes the PAR (Police Area Representative) Unit, Traffic Services Unit, SRO (School Resource Officer) Unit, K-9 Unit, CREST (Capitol Region Emergency Services Team), Animal Control Unit, and the Domestic Violence Outreach Team.
The Support Services Division comprises Communications Dispatch Center, Information Systems, Investigative Services Section, the Records Unit, Training Unit, and Property/Evidence. In addition, the Support Services Division includes recruitment, maintenance staff, equipment and safety, emergency management, buildings and grounds, fleet management, crossing guards, and quartermaster.
The Administrative Services Division is responsible for budgeting, grant management and professional standards. Also included in this division is the CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) Manager, Recruitment and Hiring, and the Field Training Unit.[38]
Manchester Police Department is part of the Capital Region Emergency Services Team (Known as CREST). The Capital Region Emergency Services Team (CREST) is a multi-agency Regional Tactical Team staffed by dedicated and highly trained Officers from Manchester, Glastonbury, Vernon, South Windsor, Wethersfield, Enfield, East Windsor, Coventry, Rocky Hill, Cromwell and the University of Connecticut Police Department.
The mission of CREST is to provide a tactical response to critical incidents in member towns. The following are considered Critical Incidents handled by CREST:
Hostage Incidents, Barricaded Suspects, Sniper Situations, High Risk Arrests, High Risk Warrant Service, Special Assignments such as executive protection, event protection.The Officers assigned to CREST have to undergo a rigorous selection process consisting of a physical fitness test, a firearms evaluation, and an oral board with current team leaders. Once selected, new team members must attend an 80 hour SWAT school to be considered operational. Once on the team, members attend supplemental training in many facets of tactical operations.[39]
Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) is a private, for-profit company that operates out of a station on New State Road in Manchester, and providesbasic life support-level transport service. ASM also provides intercept and transport paramedic service to a number of towns in Hartford, Tolland, and Windham counties. ASM will provideadvanced life support when fire department paramedics are unavailable.[40]
Manchester has parts of threeinterstate highways (I-84,I-384, andI-291) andRoute 6 andRoute 44 together constitute Manchester's principal east/west arterial.Connecticut Route 30 is an east/west arterial in the northern section of town.Connecticut Route 83 is Manchester's principal north/south arterial. Starting as South Main Street at the southern border withGlastonbury, Route 83 becomes Main Street through the center of town.
Manchester is served by the Hartford division ofConnecticut Transit. Routes 80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, and 121 connect Manchester directly to the city ofHartford.[41]
No passenger service currently exists in town. Freight service from Hartford is provided byConnecticut Southern Railroad.[42]
The closest passenger rail service is available at Hartford'sUnion Station, approximately 10 miles west.
Bradley International Airport, inWindsor Locks, Connecticut, is twenty minutes north of downtown Hartford. It features over 150 daily departures to over 30 destinations on nine airlines. Other airports serving the Hartford area include:[43]
Manchester has several on and off-roadbicycle routes. The two most popular routes are the Charter Oak Greenway and theHop River State Park Trail. Portions of each of those routes have been designated as parts of theEast Coast Greenway.[44]
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The Manchester Pipe Band is the second-oldest pipe band in the United States -- and one of four in Manchester. As the story goes, it began 'with 20 students and a dream in those dark days prior to World War I.' When Alex Scot and the Holyoke Pipe Band paid a visit to Manchester in 1913, their traditional music set the imaginations of this area's Celtic population on fire.
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