Danbury, Connecticut
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| City nickname: "The Hat City" | |||||
Missing image US-CT-Danbury.png Location in the state of Connecticut | |||||
| County | Fairfield County, Connecticut | ||||
| Area - Total - Water | 114.7 km² (44.3 mi²) 5.7 km² (2.2 mi²) 4.94% | ||||
| Population - Total (2000) - Density | 74,848 686.3/km² (1,777.4/mi²) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC-5 | ||||
| Latitude Longitude | Template:Coor dm 1 | ||||
| External link: City web page (http://www.ci.danbury.ct.us/home) | |||||
Danbury is a city located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA.
As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 74,848, but a July 1, 2003 Census estimate put the city's population at 77,353. In 2005, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton was quoted in an Associated Press story that the city's population is actually near 90,000, the increase due to immigrants from Ecuador. [1] (http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-apimmigrant.artapr17,0,5223635.story?coll=hc-headlines-local)
Danbury is one of the fastest-growing cities in Connecticut on account of its real estate being less expensive compared to lower Fairfield County. The city has a Metro North station with rail access to New York City.
Danbury's nickname is Hat City because it used to be a center of the hat industry. The city was reportedly named after the Iron-Age hill fort Danebury in Hampshire, England.
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History
Danbury was first settled in 1685, when eight families moved to the area from the area that is now Norwalk and Stamford. The area was then called Paquiaqe by the native Paquioque American Indians. The settlers originally chose the name Swampfield for their town, but in October 1687, the general court decreed the name Danbury.
During the American Revolution, Danbury was an important military depot. In April 1777, the British under Major General William Tryon burned and looted the entire city, along with Fairfield and Norwalk. American General David Wooster was killed defending the city. The central motto on the Seal of the City of Danbury is Restituimus (We have restored) a reference to the destruction caused by the British army.
The first Danbury Fair was held in 1821. By 1869, it became a yearly event, and was held until 1981.
In 1835, the Connecticut Legislature granted a rail charter to the "Fairfield County Railroad." By 1850, no work had been completed and investment was slow, so the organization's vast plans were scaled back. Renaming itself "Danbury & Norwalk Railroad," work began quickly on the 23-mile railroad line. In 1852, the first Railroad line in Danbury opened, with two trains making the 75-minute trip to Norwalk.
The city of Danbury was incorporated 19 April, 1889.
In 1902, the American Federation of Labor union called for a nationwide boycott of a non-union hat manufacturer, Dietrich Loewe, in Danbury. The manufacturer sued the union under the Sherman Antitrust Act for unlawfully restraining trade. The Supreme Court held that the union was liable for damages in 1908.
A 60 acre (243,000 m²) tract near the Danbury Fairgrounds known as Tucker's Field was purchased by local pilots in 1928, and leased to the town. This became an airport, which is now Danbury Municipal Airport.
Connecticut's largest lake, Candlewood Lake, was artificially created in 1929 where Wood Creek and the Rocky River meet near the Housatonic River. The lake is operated as a hydroelectric power facility by the Connecticut Light and Power Company.
Danbury was voted #1 City to live in by Money Magazine in August 1988 mostly due to low crime, good schools and location.
Law and government
The Chief Executive Officer of Danbury is the Mayor, who serves a two year term. The current mayor is Mark Boughton (R). The Mayor is the presiding officer of the Common Council, which consists of 21 members, two from each of the seven city wards, and seven at-large (Current councilmembers (http://www.ci.danbury.ct.us/Public_Documents/DanburyCT_BComm/commoncouncil)). The Common Council enacts ordinances and resolutions by a simple majority vote. If the Mayor does not approve the ordinance (similar to a veto), the Common Council may revote on it. If it then passes with a two-thirds majority, it becomes effective without the Mayor's approval.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 114.7 km² (44.3 mi²). 109.1 km² (42.1 mi²) of it is land and 5.7 km² (2.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.94% water. Danbury is located at Template:Coor dm.
Economy
Danbury's 2003-2004 mill rate is 24.29.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 74,848 people, 27,183 households, and 17,886 families residing in the city. The population density is 686.3/km² (1,777.4/mi²). There are 28,519 housing units at an average density of 261.5/km² (677.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 75.96% White, 6.76% African American, 0.29% Native American, 5.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 7.55% from other races, and 3.95% from two or more races. 15.75% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 27,183 households out of which 30.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% are married couples living together, 10.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% are non-families. 26.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.64 and the average family size is 3.18.
In the city the population is spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $53,664, and the median income for a family is $61,899. Males have a median income of $39,016 versus $31,319 for females. The per capita income for the city is $24,500. 8.0% of the population and 5.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.7% of those under the age of 18 and 8.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Historical population
- 1756 - 1,527
- 1774 - 2,526
- 1782 - 2,747
- 1790 - 3,031
- 1800 - 3,180
- 1810 - 3,606
- 1820 - 3,873
- 1830 - 4,311
- 1840 - 4,504
- 1850 - 5,964
- 1860 - 7,234
- 1870 - 8,753
- 1880 - 11,666
- 1890 - 19,473
- 1900 - 19,474
- 1910 - 23,502
- 1920 - 22,325
- 1930 - 26,955
- 1940 - 27,921
- 1950 - 30,337
- 1960 - 39,382
- 1970 - 50,781
- 1980 - 60,470
- 1990 - 65,585
- 2000 - 74,848
- 2002 - 76,917 (estimate)
Sources: Interactive Connecticut State Register & Manual (http://www.sots.state.ct.us/RegisterManual/regman.htm) and U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (http://eire.census.gov/popest/data/cities.php)
Sites of interest
Hiking Trails
- Bear Mountain Reservation
- The Old Quarry Nature Center has two short educational trails on 39 acres (158,000 m²) off Mountainville Avenue.
- Tarrywile Mansion and Park is one of Danbury's most popular parks. There are seven miles (11 km) of trails as well as several ponds located on the 654 acre (2.6 km²) park. The historic Victorian mansion and gardens are a common location for weddings.
- Other trails in the area can be found at berkshirehiking.com [2] (http://www.berkshirehiking.com)
Parks
- Danbury Candlewood Park overlooks Candlewood Lake. Swimming, picnicking, and a boat launch are available in the 11.1 acre (45,000 m²) park.
- Elmwood Park
- Hatters Community Park
- Kenosia Park
- Richter Park
- Rogers Park
Museums
Other
- Danbury is the former home of the Danbury Fair. The Danbury Fair Mall was built on the fairgrounds in 1986.
- Danbury Municipal Airport (DXR).
- The Danbury Federal Correctional Institute is located near the border with New Fairfield, Connecticut.
Colleges and universities
Danbury is home to Western Connecticut State University.
Sports teams
The United Hockey League (UHL) expanded to Danbury in 2004. The Danbury Trashers played their first season at the Danbury Ice Arena in October 2004. Among those on the roster included Brent Gretzky (brother of Wayne) and Scott Stirling (son of New York Islanders coach Steve Stirling). Scott's older brother Todd coaches the Trashers.
The Trashers recently completed a fairly successful season when they were eliminated in the semi-final round of the Colonial Cup Playoffs by the defending and ultimate champions, the Muskegon Fury.
Notable natives
- Charles Ives, classical composer
- Jonathan Brandis, actor
- Neil Rudenstine, ex-president of Harvard University
External links
- City of Danbury (http://www.ci.danbury.ct.us/home)
- Danbury Community Network (http://www.danbury.org/)
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State of Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Capital: | |
| Regions: |
Greater New Haven | Greater Hartford | Litchfield Hills | Lower Connecticut River Valley | Naugatuck River Valley | New York metropolitan area/Gold Coast | Quiet Corner | Southeastern Connecticut |
| Largest cities: |
Ansonia | Bridgeport | Bristol | Danbury | Fairfield | Greenwich | Groton | Hartford | Meriden | Middletown | Milford | Naugatuck | New Britain | New Haven | New London | North Haven | Norwalk | Norwich | Shelton | Stamford | Torrington | Waterbury | West Hartford |
| Counties: |
Fairfield | Hartford | Litchfield | Middlesex | New Haven | New London | Tolland | Windham |