Milford, Connecticut | |
|---|---|
| City of Milford | |
 Aerial view of Milford city center and harbor | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Etymology: Ford by a mill | |
| Nickname: Sleepy Hollow[1] | |
| Motto: A Small City with a Big Heart! | |
 New Haven County and Connecticut South Central Connecticut Planning Region and Connecticut | |
 Show Milford Show Connecticut Show the United States | |
| Coordinates:41°13′27″N73°03′35″W / 41.22417°N 73.05972°W /41.22417; -73.05972 | |
| Country |  United States |
| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
| County | New Haven |
| Region | South Central CT |
| Settled | 1639; 386 years ago (1639) |
| Incorporated (city) | 1959; 66 years ago (1959) |
| Named after | Milford, Surrey |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Board of Aldermen |
| • Mayor | Richard Smith (D) |
| Area | |
• Total | 25.13 sq mi (65.09 km2) |
| • Land | 21.90 sq mi (56.73 km2) |
| • Water | 3.22 sq mi (8.35 km2) |
| Population | |
• Total | 50,558 |
| • Density | 2,308/sq mi (891.2/km2) |
| United States Census 2010,United States Census Bureau | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP Codes | 06460, 06461 |
| Area codes | 203/475 |
| FIPS code | 09-47515 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0208882 |
| Major highways |   |
| Commuter Rail |  |
| Website | www |
Milford is a coastal city inNew Haven County, Connecticut, United States, betweenNew Haven andBridgeport. The population was 50,558 at the2020 United States Census.[5] The city includes thevillage ofDevon and theborough ofWoodmont. Milford is part of theSouth Central Connecticut Planning Region.
When the English first encountered the territory, thePaugussett (anAlgonquian-speaking tribe) predominated. English colonists affiliated with the contemporaryNew Haven Colony purchased land which today comprises Milford,Orange, andWest Haven on February 1, 1639, fromAnsantawae, chief of the local Paugusset. They knew the area asWepawaug, named forthe small river which runs through the town. The English built a grist mill by the Wepawaug River in 1640.[6] Streets in Milford and Orange were later named "Wepawaug".
During theRevolutionary War, the Milford section of theBoston Post Road, a vital route connectingBoston,New York, and other major coastal cities, was blockaded byContinental forces. Fort Trumbull was constructed to protect the town. The Liberty Rock monument commemorates the site of the blockade.
By 1822, thetown had grown large enough that residents in Milford's northern and eastern sections chartered the Town of Orange. During the next century and a half, the remaining section of Milford was known for shipbuilding, farming, and oystering. Industrial facilities were also developed.
Because of its location on Long Island Sound, Milford became abeach resort for residents of New Haven andBridgeport in the latter 19th century.
In 1899, the "Memorial Bridge" (a "stone bridge and tower commemorating the town's history and founders")[7] replaced the last mill over the Wepawaug, which had closed in 1894.[6] The bridge was described as "simple in design, its broad copings surmounted with rough hewn blocks of granite, bearing the names of the first settlers. There are ten blocks on the south and twenty on the north coping. At each end of the former is a stone four feet wide by five and a half high."[6] It is located where Broad Street crosses the Wepawaug River.
In 1903, the southeastern portion of the town was incorporated as the Borough ofWoodmont. In 1959, the Town of Milford, including the Borough of Woodmont, was incorporated as the City of Milford.
Milford was one of the early settlements in south central Connecticut and, over time, gave rise to several newtowns that broke off and incorporated separately. The following is a list of towns created from parts of Milford.
Starting in 1902,Quaker Oats oatmeal boxes came with a coupon redeemable for the legal deed to a tiny lot in Milford. The lots, sometimes as small as 10 feet (3 m) by 10 feet, were carved out of a 15-acre (6.1 ha) tract in a never-built subdivision called "Liberty Park". A small number of children (or their parents), often residents living near Milford, collected the deeds and started paying the extremely small property taxes on the "oatmeal lots". The developer of the prospective subdivision hoped the landowners would hire him to build homes on the lots, although several lots would need to be combined before building could start. Since the subdivision into small lots predated Milford's planning and zoning regulations, the deeds were entirely legal, although they created a large amount of paperwork for town tax collectors, who frequently couldn't find the property owners and received almost no tax revenue from the lots.[8]
In the mid-1970s, when the town wanted to develop the area, town officials put an end to the oatmeal lots in a "general foreclosure" that avoided the enormous expense of individual foreclosures by condemning nearly all of the property in one legal filing. One of the streets in the Liberty Park subdivision plans, Shelland Street, was later built in the late 1990s as an access road to the Milford Power Company. The site is currently home to theBic Corporation'slighter factory at 565 Bic Drive.
In a separate land giveaway in 1955 tied to theSergeant Preston of the Yukon television show, Quaker Oats offered in itsPuffed Wheat andPuffed Rice cereal boxes genuine deeds to land in theKlondike.[8]
In the post-World War II period, Milford—like many Connecticut towns—underwent significant suburbanization.Interstate 95 was routed through the city, and the Milford section was completed in 1958.
The 1960s and 1970s witnessed the construction of theConnecticut Post Mall, one of the state's largest shopping malls, and the extensive commercial development of the town's stretch of theBoston Post Road. One notable small business located on the Boston Post Road during the 1970s wasSCELBI Computer Consulting, credited by many as being the world's first personal-computer manufacturer. Starting in 1975, the city began hosting theMilford Oyster Festival, which has since become firmly established as an annual Milford tradition that is held "rain or shine".[9][10]
The city became host to several headquarters of multinational corporations, including theSchick Shaving company,[11] and Doctor's Associates, Inc., owners of theSubway chain of fast-food restaurants. The US operations ofBIC were headquartered in Milford, but in March 2008 moved most of its operations toShelton.Milford Hospital has also developed into an important health care resource for the area.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 2,098 | — | |
| 1800 | 2,417 | 15.2% | |
| 1810 | 674 | −72.1% | |
| 1820 | 2,785 | 313.2% | |
| 1830 | 2,256 | −19.0% | |
| 1840 | 2,455 | 8.8% | |
| 1850 | 2,465 | 0.4% | |
| 1860 | 2,828 | 14.7% | |
| 1870 | 3,405 | 20.4% | |
| 1880 | 3,347 | −1.7% | |
| 1890 | 3,811 | 13.9% | |
| 1900 | 3,783 | −0.7% | |
| 1910 | 4,366 | 15.4% | |
| 1920 | 10,193 | 133.5% | |
| 1930 | 12,660 | 24.2% | |
| 1940 | 16,439 | 29.8% | |
| 1950 | 26,870 | 63.5% | |
| 1960 | 41,662 | 55.1% | |
| 1970 | 50,858 | 22.1% | |
| 1980 | 50,898 | 0.1% | |
| 1990 | 49,938 | −1.9% | |
| 2000 | 52,212 | 4.6% | |
| 2010 | 52,759 | 1.0% | |
| 2020 | 50,558 | −4.2% | |
| [12] | |||
According to the2010 US censusDemographic Profile Data, there were 51,271 people living in 21,017 housing units of which 13,534 were counted as family households.[13] Thepopulation density was 2,341/sq mi (904/km2). The average density of housing units was 1,017.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of Milford was 93.55%White, 1.91%African American, 0.13%Native American, 2.36%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.88% fromother races, and 1.14% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino people of any race were 3.34% of the population.
Of the aforementioned households 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% weremarried couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.04.
(In Milford the population was 22.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.)
As of the 2000 census, the median income for a household was $61,183. Theper capita income was $28,773. About 2.4% of families and 3.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
The Census Bureau's 2010–2012American Community Survey showed that (in 2012inflation-adjusted dollars)median household income was $77,925 and the median family income was $93,697. Year-round male workers had a median income of $67,631 versus $59,992 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $38,560.[14]
Government in the city is set up with the mayor as chief executive and the Board of Aldermen as a legislative body. The mayor is permitted to propose legislation to the Board of Aldermen and introduces the city budget, but possesses noveto power over what the Aldermen chooses to pass.
The following is a list of city government positions elected by city residents and the terms thereof:[15]
After becoming incorporated as a city in 1959, the city reformed its system of government by establishing amayor–board of aldermen format. It elected its first mayor, Charles Iovino,[17] the incumbent city manager under Milford's previous form of government, on November 3, 1959.
| # | Name | In office | Political party |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Iovino | 1959–1963 | Independent |
| 2 | Alan Jepson | 1963–1969 | Democratic |
| 3 | Edward Kozlowski | 1969–1971 | Republican |
| 4 | Clifton Moore | 1971–1973 | Republican |
| 5 | Joel Baldwin | 1973–1977 | Democratic |
| 6 | Henry Povinelli | 1977–1981 | Republican |
| 7 | Alberta Jagoe | 1981–1989 | Democratic |
| 8 | Frederick L. Lisman | 1989–2001 | Republican |
| 9 | James L. Richetelli, Jr. | 2001–2011 | Republican |
| 10 | Benjamin G. Blake | 2011–2023 | Democratic |
| 11/13 | Richard Smith | 2023/2025-Present | Democratic |
| 12 | Tony Giannattasio | 2023–2025 | Republican |
| Voter registration and party enrollment as of November, 01 2017[18] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active voters | Inactive voters | Total voters | Percentage | Change since 2015[19] | |
| Democratic | 10,319 | 405 | 10,724 | 28.5% | +15.6% | |
| Republican | 8,166 | 248 | 8,414 | 22.4% | +18.6% | |
| Unaffiliated | 17,256 | 606 | 17,862 | 47.5% | +6.3% | |
| Total | 36,309 | 1,274 | 37,583 | 100% | +12.0% | |
Milford Public Schools currently operates eightelementary schools, threemiddle schools, twohigh schools, and onealternative education high school.[20] There are also a number of private schools in the city.
Milford High School operated for 141 years at the time of its closing in June 1983. It was the first public high school to operate in Milford, beginning in 1842.[36] The former Milford High School building is now the Parson's Government building.[37]
St. Gabriel's School opened in 1965; at the time clergy were the primary teachers. By the 2010s there were fewer clergy teachers, and lay teachers were more expensive; in addition fewer parishioners gave money to the church. By 2016 the school's budget was $111,709 in deficit. In 2008–2009 it had a peak enrollment of 219. In 2014 there was concern expressed about the school's survival expressed in the community, and in 2016 enrollment was down to 139, with 22 being in special education. The school directors chose to close the school in June 2016; the archdiocese did not order the closure.[42]
The department currently operates out of four fire stations located throughout the city.[43]
As of April 4, 2014, the Milford Police Department became one of 28 of Connecticut's 106 police departments accredited by the state of Connecticut.[44] Divisions and units include Detective Division, Special Investigations Unit, Identification Bureau and Narcotics & Vice Squad, Crime Prevention Unit, Training Unit/Recruit Academy and Marine Patrol / Dive Team.[45] The current chief of Milford Police is Keith L Mello.[46]
Other minor communities and geographic features are Anchor Beach, Bayview Heights, Burwells Beach, Cedar Beach, Downtown Historic District, Ettadore Park, Far View Beach, Forest Heights, Fort Trumbull, Great River, Gulf Beach, Heatherstone, Lexington Green, Merwin's Beach, Merwin's Point, Milford Lawns,Milford Point, Myrtle Beach, Naugatuck Gardens, Point Lookout, Silver Sands Beach, South of the Green, Wheelers Farms. Some of these communities have access to public and/or private beaches.
†: Denotes that the community is chartered by Special Act of the Connecticut General Assembly and have been granted some of the powers normally held only by a municipality including taxing authority.
‡: The Borough of Woodmont is chartered by Special Act of the Connecticut General Assembly as a municipality and has been granted all statutory powers of a municipality while simultaneously remaining part of the city of Milford.[47]
Every year on the third Saturday in August, Milford celebrates its annualOyster Festival, which serves as a combination of a typical town fair with a culinary celebration of the town's location on historically shellfish-richLong Island Sound. According to the "Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink"[48] the lobster roll originated as a hot dish at a restaurant named Perry's as early as 1929.[48][49] This festival takes place in and around the MilfordGreen, near the center of town, as well as in various locations throughout the downtown area, and features a wide variety of events includingcanoe andkayak races, musical performances, andclassic car shows.
The Milford Oyster Festival has drawn large musical acts over the years includingJoan Jett,The Marshall Tucker Band,John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, andSoul Asylum.[citation needed]
There are also other features such as carnival rides, food stands, crafts, face painting, and even opening your own oyster for a pearl.
The Milford Cultural Center, operated by the Milford Council for the Arts, offers various events throughout the year. The Firehouse Art Gallery was recently opened in Devon. The beach resort quality of the town lives on, with several rocky beaches,Silver Sands State Park, theConnecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point,Charles Island, twogolf courses, and numerous other recreational facilities available for residents and tourists.
Since 2011, the Walnut Beach Concert Series has taken place under the pavilion atWalnut Beach. It features a different band playing every Sunday afternoon during the summer.[50]
Top employers in Milford according to the town's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report[51]
| # | Employer | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Milford, Board of Education | 1,030 |
| 2 | Schick | 738 |
| 3 | City of Milford | 532 |
| 4 | Bridgeport Hospital (Milford Campus) | 517 |
| 5 | Inline Plastics Corps | 295 |
| 6 | Walmart | 276 |
| 7 | Alinibal Holdings Corp | 248 |
| 8 | Quadient Inc | 247 |
| 9 | West River Rehab Center | 219 |
| 10 | Stop & Shop | 215 |
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, Milford, including the borough of Woodmont, has a total area of 26.1 square miles (67.7 km2), of which 22.2 square miles (57.4 km2) is land and 3.9 square miles (10.2 km2), or 15.11%, is water.[52]
Milford'sDevon neighborhood[53] is located at the mouth of theHousatonic River nearStratford, and features the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center overlooking theestuary.
Milford has over 14 miles (23 km) of shoreline facingLong Island Sound, the most of any town in Connecticut.[54] A large portion of Milford's shoreline forms theSilver Sands State Park. A newly built 3/4 mileboardwalk was opened in 2011 that connects Silver Sands to Walnut Beach in Devon.Charles Island is also a part of the park and is a protected bird nesting ground. There is asandbar (called atombolo since it is perpendicular, not parallel to the coast) accessible during low tide that people can walk on from Silver Sands Beach to Charles Island. However, the sandbar can be dangerous to walk on as the quick change from low tide to high tide has led to several drownings. Visitors to Charles Island include treasure hunters looking for stolen treasure believed to have been buried in 1699 by Captain William Kidd and his pirate crew.[20]
The island is a part of the Hamonasset-LedyardMoraine and was formed as glaciers retreated at the end of the last ice age. TheWisconsin glaciation formeddrumlins in Milford: Clark, Burwell, Eels, Bryan and Merwin hills.[55]
Milford owns three islands in theHousatonic River:Fowler Island, just to the south of theIgor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge,Duck Island, andNells Island, both near the mouth of the river. In addition toSilver Sands State Park, Milford has five public beaches with lifeguard services for its residents—Gulf Beach, Anchor Beach, Hawley Avenue Beach, Walnut Beach, and Middle Beach—as well as seven private beaches.
Interstate 95 andU.S. Route 1 pass through the southern part of Milford. TheWilbur Cross Parkway cuts across the northern part of the city and is connected to I-95 and Route 1 via theMilford Parkway, also known as the Daniel S. Wasson connector, named for the first police officer to die in the line of duty in the city of Milford. TheMetro-NorthNew Haven Line has a station stop in downtown Milford (Milford station) with direct service toNew York City. TheMilford Transit District provides in-town service to major attractions. Connections with theGreater Bridgeport Transit Authority,Norwalk Transit District, andConnecticut Transit New Haven are also available.
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Movies filmed at least in part in Milford include:
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Places adjacent to Milford, Connecticut | |
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Municipalities and communities ofNew Haven County, Connecticut,United States | ||
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Municipalities and communities ofSouth Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut,United States | ||
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