Farmington, Connecticut | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view of theFarmington Historic District | |
 Seal | |
| Motto(s): "Respecting History, Planning The Future"[1] | |
 Hartford County and Connecticut Capitol Planning Region and Connecticut | |
 Show Farmington Show Connecticut Show the United States | |
| Coordinates:41°43′40″N72°50′25″W / 41.72778°N 72.84028°W /41.72778; -72.84028 | |
| Country |  United States |
| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
| County | Hartford |
| Region | Capitol Region |
| Settled | June 1640 |
| Incorporated | December 1645 |
| Consolidated | 1947 |
| Communities | Farmington Bensted Corner East Farmington Heights Farmington Station Oakland Gardens River Glen Unionville |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager |
| • Town Council | C.J. Thomas (R), Chm Rafeena Bacchus Lee (D) Joseph Capidoferro (R) Edward Giannaros (D) Johnny Carrier (R) Brian Connolly (D) Keith Vibert (R) |
| Area | |
• Total | 28.8 sq mi (74.5 km2) |
| • Land | 28.0 sq mi (72.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.77 sq mi (2.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 161 ft (49 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 26,712 |
| • Density | 953/sq mi (368/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP Codes | 06032, 06085 |
| Area codes | 860/959 |
| FIPS code | 09-27600 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213430 |
| Interstates |  |
| U.S. Highways |  |
| State Routes |     |
| Website | www |
Farmington is a town inHartford County in theFarmington Valley area of centralConnecticut in the United States. The town is part of theCapitol Planning Region. The population was 26,712 at the2020 census.[2] It sits 10 miles west of Hartford at the hub of major I-84 interchanges, 25 miles south ofBradley International Airport and two hours by car fromNew York City andBoston. It has been home to the world headquarters of several large corporations includingOtis Elevator Company,United Technologies, andCarvel. The northwestern section of Farmington is a suburban neighborhood called Unionville.
| Town | Date of separation |
|---|---|
| Harwinton (portion) | 1737 |
| Southington | 1779 |
| Berlin | 1785 |
| Bristol | 1785 |
| Wolcott (eastern part) | 1796 |
| Burlington (from Bristol) | 1806 |
| Avon | 1830 |
| Bloomfield | 1835 |
| New Britain (from Berlin) | 1850 |
| Plainville | 1869 |
Farmington was originally inhabited by theTunxisIndian tribe. In 1640, a community of English immigrants was established by residents of Hartford, making Farmington the oldest inland settlement west of theConnecticut River and the twelfth oldest community in the state. Settlers found the area ideal because of its rich soil, location along the floodplain of theFarmington River, and valley geography.
The town and river were given their present names in 1645, which is considered the incorporation year of the town. The town's boundaries were later enlarged several times, making it the largest in theConnecticut Colony. The town was named "Farmington" on account of its location within a farming district.[3]
Farmington has been called the "mother of towns" because its vast area was divided to produce nine other central Connecticut communities. The borough of Unionville, in Farmington's northwestern corner, was once home to many factories harnessing thewater power of the Farmington River.
Farmington is steeped inNew England history. Main Street, in the historic village section, is lined withcolonial estates, some of which date back to the 17th century. On May 19, 1774, in response to the adoption of theBoston Port Act, the people of Farmington assembled, held a mock trial for the bill, found the bill guilty of "being instigated by the devil," and subsequently had a copy of the bill hung and then set on fire.[4] During theRevolutionary War,George Washington passed through Farmington on several occasions and referred to the town as "the village of pretty houses."[5] In addition, French troops under GeneralRochambeau encamped in Farmington en route toWestchester County to offer crucial support to General Washington's army.
The majority of Farmington residents wereabolitionists and were active in aiding escapedslaves. Several homes in the town were "safe houses" on theUnderground Railroad. The town became known as "Grand Central Station"[6][7] among escaped slaves and their "guides".
Farmington played an important role in the famousAmistad trial. In 1841, 38MendeAfricans andCinqué, the leader of the revolt on theAmistadslave ship, were housed and educated in Farmington after the U.S. government refused to provide for their return to Africa following the trial. The Mende were educated in English andChristianity while funds were raised by residents for their return to Africa.
TheFarmington Canal, connectingNew Haven withNorthampton, Massachusetts, passed through the Farmington River on its eastern bank and was in operation between 1828 and 1848. The canal'sright of way andtowpath were eventually used for a railroad, portions of which were active up to the 1990s. Part of the canal and railroad line has now been converted to multi-use paved trails, called theFarmington Canal Heritage Trail and the Farmington River Trail, respectively.[8]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.8 square miles (74.5 km2), of which 28.0 square miles (72.6 km2) is land and 0.77 square miles (2.0 km2), or 2.65%, is water.[9]
After its founding, Farmington gave up territory to formSouthington (1779),Bristol (1785),Avon (1830),Plainville (1869), and parts ofBerlin (1785) andBloomfield (1835).[10] Farmington presently borders the towns ofAvon,Burlington,Newington,West Hartford, andPlainville, and the cities ofNew Britain andBristol.
Farmington is mostly wooded, but there are also meadows and hills in the east and southeast. There are also numerous ponds and lakes. TheFarmington River runs through the town from the northwest from Burlington, enters Unionville, then takes a sharp turn near Farmington Center and flows north towards Avon. TheMetacomet Ridge, a 100-mile (160 km) range of lowtraprock mountain ridges, occupies the east side of Farmington asPinnacle Rock,Rattlesnake Mountain,Farmington Mountain, andTalcott Mountain.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1756 | 3,707 | — |
| 1774 | 6,069 | +63.7% |
| 1782 | 5,542 | −8.7% |
| 1790 | 2,696 | −51.4% |
| 1800 | 2,809 | +4.2% |
| 1810 | 2,748 | −2.2% |
| 1820 | 3,042 | +10.7% |
| 1830 | 1,901 | −37.5% |
| 1840 | 2,041 | +7.4% |
| 1850 | 2,630 | +28.9% |
| 1860 | 3,144 | +19.5% |
| 1870 | 2,616 | −16.8% |
| 1880 | 3,017 | +15.3% |
| 1890 | 3,179 | +5.4% |
| 1900 | 3,331 | +4.8% |
| 1910 | 3,478 | +4.4% |
| 1920 | 3,844 | +10.5% |
| 1930 | 4,548 | +18.3% |
| 1940 | 5,313 | +16.8% |
| 1950 | 7,026 | +32.2% |
| 1960 | 10,813 | +53.9% |
| 1970 | 14,390 | +33.1% |
| 1980 | 16,407 | +14.0% |
| 1990 | 20,608 | +25.6% |
| 2000 | 23,641 | +14.7% |
| 2010 | 25,340 | +7.2% |
| 2020 | 26,712 | +5.4% |
| Source:Interactive Connecticut State Register & Manual andU.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | ||
As of thecensus[11] of 2010, there were 25,340 people, 9,496 households, and 6,333 families residing in the town. The population density was 879.9 inhabitants per square mile (339.7/km2). There were 11,072 housing units at an average density of 351.2 per square mile (135.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 85.92%White, 9.59%Asian, 2.98%Hispanic orLatino of any race, 2.43% from two or more races, 2.21%African American, 0.49% fromother races, and 0.04%Native American.[12]
There were 10,522 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% weremarried couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. Of all households, 29.6% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.
In 2018, the median household income was $94,606 and theper capita income for the town was $56,571.[13] About 3.1% of families and 5.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 59.95%9,616 | 38.41%6,160 | 1.64%261 |
| 2016 | 53.37%7,634 | 41.79%5,977 | 4.84%692 |
| 2012 | 50.89%7,013 | 47.97%6,611 | 1.15%158 |
| 2008 | 57.48%8,088 | 41.38%5,822 | 1.14%161 |
| 2004 | 52.62%7,209 | 45.97%6,298 | 1.41%193 |
| 2000 | 51.49%6,374 | 43.97%5,443 | 4.55%563 |
| 1996 | 47.48%5,415 | 41.56%4,739 | 10.96%1,250 |
| 1992 | 39.74%4,917 | 39.54%4,893 | 20.72%2,564 |
| 1988 | 45.12%4,847 | 54.02%5,803 | 0.86%92 |
| 1984 | 37.25%3,542 | 62.37%5,931 | 0.38%36 |
| 1980 | 34.91%3,173 | 47.47%4,314 | 17.62%1,601 |
| 1976 | 41.63%3,536 | 58.01%4,927 | 0.35%30 |
| 1972 | 39.56%3,087 | 59.54%4,646 | 0.90%70 |
| 1968 | 44.80%2,942 | 50.75%3,333 | 4.45%292 |
| 1964 | 63.04%3,568 | 36.96%2,092 | 0.00%0 |
| 1960 | 45.44%2,545 | 54.56%3,056 | 0.00%0 |
| 1956 | 30.71%1,434 | 69.29%3,236 | 0.00%0 |
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of February 22, 2023[16] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active Voters | Percentage | |||
| Democratic | 6,684 | 33.10% | |||
| Republican | 4,513 | 22.35% | |||
| Unaffiliated | 8,693 | 43.05% | |||
| Minor parties | 301 | 1.49% | |||
| Total | 20,191 | 100% | |||
Top employers in Farmington according to the town's 2024 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report[17]
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UConn Health | 7,664 |
| 2 | Otis Worldwide | 4,077 |
| 3 | Companions & Homemakers | 3,000 |
| 4 | Trumpf | 1,700 |
| 5 | Town of Farmington/Board of Education | 830 |
| 6 | ConnectiCare | 750 |
| 7 | Tunxis Community College | 500 |
| 8 | American Red Cross | 428 |
| 9 | Connecticut Spring and Stamp | 375 |
| 10 | Jackson Laboratory | 370 |
United Technologies was headquartered on Farm Springs Road along with its subsidiaryOtis Worldwide. In 2019 it was announced that United Technologies would relocated its headquarters toWaltham, Massachusetts after the merger withRaytheon.[18]
McKesson had a location in Farmington before departing in 2019.[19]
Carvel,ConnectiCare, Farmington Displays, andHorizon Technology Finance, all maintain corporate headquarters in Farmington. Other prominent employers include the American Red Cross, Bank of America,Farmington Sports Arena,Stanley Black & Decker andTRUMPF Inc.
Farmington Bank was headquartered in town until it was acquired byPeople's United Bank in 2018.
TheJackson Laboratory ofBar Harbor, Maine, is building a new facility on the grounds of the University of Connecticut Health Center, which specializes in the research and development ofgenomic medicine. The project is part of BioScience Connecticut, an initiative designed to launch Connecticut into the forefront ofbiomedical research. A growing collection of doctor's offices and medical practices is concentrated in the vicinity of theUniversity of Connecticut Health Center.
Farmington is unique in that more people work within the town lines than actually live there, a characteristic atypical of a traditional suburb.
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Farmington's seven public schools are highly regarded, ranking among the top in the state and nationally.[20] The district's four pre-K to 4 elementary schools are Union School, West District School, Noah Wallace School, and East Farms School. West Woods Upper Elementary School houses grades 5 and 6. Irving A. Robbins Middle School houses grades 7 and 8.Farmington High School serves grades 9–12. In 2005, Farmington High School was ranked 125 onNewsweek magazine's list of the best schools in the United States, in 2006 it was ranked 269, and in 2007, 298.[21]
Miss Porter's School, aprivate college preparatory school for girls, is located in Farmington's Historic District. The day and boarding school occupies much of the village center. Founded in 1843 by educational reformerSarah Porter, the school has played a significant part in Farmington's history since its founding. As of the mid-2010s, the school owned over 90 buildings in Farmington center, approximately 70% of which were historic. Since then, Miss Porter's has been concentrating its footprint around its core buildings at the center of Main Street.Famous alumni includeJacqueline Kennedy Onassis,Princess Anastasia of Greece and Denmark,Lee Bouvier Radziwill,Lilly Pulitzer and members of theBush,Vanderbilt, andRockefeller families.
Tunxis Community College is in the southwest part of the town.
TheUniversity of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington employs approximately 4,600 full-time employees as of 2021.[22] The Health Center also houses John Dempsey Hospital. The hospital provides the only full-service emergency department in the Farmington Valley and a Level IIINeonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), one of only two in Connecticut.
Connecticut Transit Hartford provides local bus service.
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Municipalities and communities ofHartford County, Connecticut,United States | ||
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