Barkhamsted, Connecticut | |
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 View of theBarkhamsted Reservoir | |
 Seal | |
 Litchfield County and Connecticut Northwest Hills Planning Region and Connecticut | |
 Show Barkhamsted Show Connecticut Show the United States | |
| Coordinates:41°55′45″N72°58′20″W / 41.92917°N 72.97222°W /41.92917; -72.97222 | |
| Country |  United States |
| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
| County | Litchfield |
| Region | Northwest Hills |
| Incorporated | 1779 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Selectman-town meeting |
| • First Selectman | Donald S. Stein (D) |
| • Selectman | Raymond P. Pech (D) |
| • Selectman | Nicholas A. Lukiwsky (R) |
| Area | |
• Total | 38.8 sq mi (100.6 km2) |
| • Land | 36.3 sq mi (93.9 km2) |
| • Water | 2.6 sq mi (6.7 km2) |
| Elevation | 607 ft (185 m) |
| Population (2020)[2] | |
• Total | 3,647 |
| • Density | 100/sq mi (38.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP code | 06063, 06065 |
| Area codes | 860/959 |
| FIPS code | 09-02760 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213386[1] |
| Website | barkhamsted |
Barkhamsted (/bɑːrkˈhæmstɛd/bark-HAM-sted) is atown inLitchfield County,Connecticut, United States. It contains seven villages: West Hill, Mallory,Barkhamsted Center, Center Hill, Washington Hill,Pleasant Valley, andRiverton. The population was 3,647 at the2020 census,[3] down from 3,799 at the2010 census. The town is part of theNorthwest Hills Planning Region. Barkhamsted was first incorporated in 1779, and named afterBerkhamsted,Hertfordshire, England.[4][5]
The town is in northeastern Litchfield County and is bordered to the north and east byHartford County. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 42.7 square miles (110.6 km2), of which 36.3 square miles (93.9 km2) are land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2), or 6.63%, are water.[6] Major bodies of water includeBarkhamsted Reservoir, the primary water source forHartford; Lake McDonough, and theFarmington River. The north end ofWest Hill Lake is located at the southern border of Barkhamsted. A high percentage of the land in the town is owned by the state of Connecticut as state forest (Peoples State Forest, American Legion State Forest, Tunxis State Forest, and Enders State Forest) and by theMetropolitan District Commission (MDC) as water supply area.
U.S. Route 44 crosses the southwestern part of the town, leading southeast 22 miles (35 km) to Hartford and northwest 20 miles (32 km) toNorth Canaan.
| Climate data for Barkhamsted, Connecticut (2000–2020 temperature normals, extremes 2000-present, 1991-2020 precipitation normals) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 68 (20) | 78 (26) | 80 (27) | 93 (34) | 95 (35) | 97 (36) | 99 (37) | 99 (37) | 96 (36) | 87 (31) | 79 (26) | 70 (21) | 99 (37) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 55 (13) | 57 (14) | 66 (19) | 81 (27) | 89 (32) | 92 (33) | 94 (34) | 92 (33) | 88 (31) | 79 (26) | 70 (21) | 59 (15) | 96 (36) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 34.2 (1.2) | 37.0 (2.8) | 45.5 (7.5) | 59.3 (15.2) | 70.0 (21.1) | 78.4 (25.8) | 84.2 (29.0) | 82.3 (27.9) | 75.7 (24.3) | 62.6 (17.0) | 50.9 (10.5) | 39.3 (4.1) | 59.4 (15.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 24.9 (−3.9) | 26.6 (−3.0) | 34.7 (1.5) | 47.1 (8.4) | 58.1 (14.5) | 67.1 (19.5) | 72.8 (22.7) | 70.9 (21.6) | 64.0 (17.8) | 51.7 (10.9) | 40.9 (4.9) | 30.6 (−0.8) | 48.6 (9.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 15.7 (−9.1) | 16.3 (−8.7) | 23.9 (−4.5) | 34.9 (1.6) | 46.2 (7.9) | 55.8 (13.2) | 61.5 (16.4) | 59.5 (15.3) | 52.3 (11.3) | 40.8 (4.9) | 31.0 (−0.6) | 21.9 (−5.6) | 37.8 (3.2) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −4 (−20) | −1 (−18) | 6 (−14) | 23 (−5) | 31 (−1) | 43 (6) | 51 (11) | 49 (9) | 38 (3) | 27 (−3) | 16 (−9) | 7 (−14) | −6 (−21) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −12 (−24) | −20 (−29) | −8 (−22) | 16 (−9) | 8 (−13) | 37 (3) | 38 (3) | 44 (7) | 29 (−2) | 19 (−7) | 2 (−17) | −4 (−20) | −20 (−29) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.57 (91) | 3.21 (82) | 4.09 (104) | 3.89 (99) | 3.94 (100) | 4.85 (123) | 4.52 (115) | 4.31 (109) | 4.75 (121) | 5.18 (132) | 3.83 (97) | 4.58 (116) | 50.84 (1,291) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 14.3 (36) | 14.2 (36) | 9.3 (24) | 0.8 (2.0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0.4 (1.0) | 2.0 (5.1) | 9.2 (23) | 47.9 (122) |
| Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 9 (23) | 10 (25) | 10 (25) | 1 (2.5) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (2.5) | 7 (18) | 15 (38) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 11 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 132 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 18 |
| Source: NOAA[7] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 1,592 | — | |
| 1850 | 1,524 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,272 | −16.5% | |
| 1870 | 1,439 | 13.1% | |
| 1880 | 1,297 | −9.9% | |
| 1890 | 1,130 | −12.9% | |
| 1900 | 864 | −23.5% | |
| 1910 | 865 | 0.1% | |
| 1920 | 719 | −16.9% | |
| 1930 | 697 | −3.1% | |
| 1940 | 724 | 3.9% | |
| 1950 | 946 | 30.7% | |
| 1960 | 1,370 | 44.8% | |
| 1970 | 2,066 | 50.8% | |
| 1980 | 2,935 | 42.1% | |
| 1990 | 3,369 | 14.8% | |
| 2000 | 3,494 | 3.7% | |
| 2010 | 3,799 | 8.7% | |
| 2020 | 3,647 | −4.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] | |||
As of 2010, Barkhamsted had a population of 3,799. The racial composition of the population was 97.5% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.6% from some other race and 1.1% reporting two or more races. 1.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.[9]
As of thecensus[10] of 2000, there were 3,494 people, 1,334 households, and 1,036 families residing in the town. The population density was 96.5 inhabitants per square mile (37.3/km2). There were 1,436 housing units at an average density of 39.6 per square mile (15.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.54%White, 0.06%African American, 0.17%Native American, 0.40%Asian, 0.29% fromother races, and 0.54% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.89% of the population.
There were 1,334 households, out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.2% weremarried couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 16.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $65,972, and the median income for a family was $73,218. Males had a median income of $51,925 versus $38,102 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $28,961. About 1.8% of families and 3.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.
Since voting predominantly Republican from 1956 through 1988, Barkhamsted has oscillated between the two major parties at the presidential level.
| Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 29, 2019[11] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active voters | Inactive voters | Total voters | Percentage | |
| Republican | 884 | 18 | 902 | 30.88% | |
| Democratic | 705 | 15 | 720 | 24.65% | |
| Unaffiliated | 1,216 | 37 | 1,253 | 42.90% | |
| Minor Parties | 44 | 2 | 46 | 1.57% | |
| Total | 2,849 | 72 | 2,921 | 100% | |
| Presidential Election Results[12][13] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
| 2020 | 47.3%1,154 | 50.3%1,228 | 2.4%60 |
| 2016 | 41.3%905 | 52.8%1,157 | 5.9%131 |
| 2012 | 49.1%1,033 | 49.1%1,033 | 1.8%39 |
| 2008 | 54.6%1,223 | 43.2%969 | 2.2%50 |
| 2004 | 52.0%1,124 | 46.1%995 | 1.9%42 |
| 2000 | 48.0%832 | 44.7%832 | 7.3%136 |
| 1996 | 43.3%735 | 39.9%677 | 16.8%285 |
| 1992 | 41.7%779 | 31.7%779 | 26.6%496 |
| 1988 | 47.9%772 | 50.8%820 | 1.3%21 |
| 1984 | 31.2%467 | 68.6%1,026 | 0.2%3 |
| 1980 | 27.4%389 | 53.2%755 | 19.4%275 |
| 1976 | 38.7%473 | 60.8%742 | 0.5%6 |
| 1972 | 31.1%345 | 67.8%750 | 1.1%12 |
| 1968 | 37.3%295 | 55.6%439 | 7.1%56 |
| 1964 | 53.2%348 | 46.8%306 | 0.00%0 |
| 1960 | 32.3%219 | 67.7%458 | 0.00%0 |
| 1956 | 16.8%89 | 83.2%440 | 0.00%0 |
The town of Barkhamsted has one elementary school, in the village of Pleasant Valley.
Its high school and middle school students attend Northwestern Regional Middle School andNorthwestern Regional High School, of theNorthwestern Regional School District No. 7, in neighboringWinsted. Barkhamsted schoolchildren attend the Regional High/Middle School with students from three neighboring towns, New Hartford, Norfolk, and Colebrook.[14]
Barkhamsted has three fire departments: the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Riverton Volunteer Fire Company, and Barkhamsted East Volunteer Fire Company. The town employs one paid daytime driver/firefighter to assist the volunteers during normal work hours.
Emergency medical care is provided by theWinsted Area Ambulance Association, the New Hartford Volunteer Ambulance Association, and a Campion paramedic. Both Winsted and New Hartford are volunteer-based services.
There is no public transportation in Barkhamsted; thus, the principal means of transportation is the automobile. The primary state highways in town are Route 44, Route 20, Route 219, Route 318, andRoute 181. The village of Riverton is located alongRoute 20 and the village of Pleasant Valley is offRoute 44 (viaRoute 318).Bradley International Airport is approximately 15 miles east.
Barkhamsted is home of the historicSaville Dam, forming Barkhamsted Reservoir, andPeoples State Forest, where theStone Museum is located.[15]
Within the Barkhamsted Reservoir lie the foundations ofBarkhamsted Hollow, the historic center of town that was purchased by theMetropolitan District Commission of Connecticut in the early 20th century to create a reservoir to serve the Hartford area. This area was flooded following the construction of the Saville Dam on the East Branch of the Farmington River, and took eight years to fill.
Just south of the Barkhamsted Reservoir is Lake McDonough, also known as the compensating reservoir and owned by the MDC. Originally created to ensure the riparian rights of downstream mill owners, this lake now serves the recreational interests of the surrounding area with beaches, boating, and fishing.
The hamlet ofPleasant Valley contains the Pleasant Valley General Store, the Barkhamsted Elementary School, the Pleasant Valley Drive-In, the post office (ZIP Code 06063), and the town hall.
The hamlet ofRiverton holds a post office (ZIP Code 06065), the Riverton General Store, the Riverton Inn, the Royal Coachman Tavern, the Riverton Congregational Church, the grange, and the fair grounds. This is also the location of the annual Riverton Fair, which takes place the second weekend of October each year, and is Connecticut's last fair of the year.
The West Branch of the Farmington River is designated as aWild and Scenic River. It runs through the villages of Riverton and Pleasant Valley and hosts fishermen year-round in the catch-and-release section. On the opening day of fishing season each year, a fishing tournament is held in Riverton, drawing anglers from Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.
Municipalities and communities ofNorthwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut,United States | ||
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Municipalities and communities ofLitchfield County, Connecticut,United States | ||
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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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