Orange, Connecticut
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Orange is a town located in New Haven County, Connecticut. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 13,233.
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History
When originally settled by English colonists, Orange was simply a northern and eastern district of the now neighboring city of Milford, Connecticut; however, by 1822 the population of the district had grown to the point where residents desired to form their own separate community, thus forming the town of Orange. The town is named after King William III, "Prince of Orange".
The town continued to grow throughout the 19th century, until finally splitting once again in 1921. In this year, the new city of West Haven was formed out of the southeastern neighborhoods of Orange. This gave the remnant town of Orange a very rural feel as the bulk of urbanized population was ceded to West Haven. In the post-war years, however, Orange began suburbanizing at a rapid pace. At present, the town is a blend of rural and suburban development, and features a highly commercialized strip of business along the Boston Post Road, just north of Interstate 95. The town currently faces continuing political issues regarding ongoing urbanization and commercial development.
Culture and Notable Features
Orange maintains its rural roots through the Orange Country Fair every September, which serves as a miniature homage to many typical American State Fairs. In early August, the town also promotes the Orange Volunteer Fireman's Carnival, which raises funds to support the town's continuing all-volunteer fire department. Both events at held at the fairgrounds at High Plains Community Center near the center of town.
Orange was the home of the first computer camp, held at the local Amity Jr. High School in 1978. It is not widely known, but Orange is also host to one of the primary manufacturing plants of PEZ candies.
During the Cold War, Orange served as a location for the permanent deployment of Nike missiles for the defense of Greater New Haven.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.1 km² (17.4 mi²). 44.5 km² (17.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.38% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 13,233 people, 4,739 households, and 3,895 families residing in the town. The population density is 297.2/km² (770.0/mi²). There are 4,870 housing units at an average density of 109.4/km² (283.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 94.08% White, 0.79% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 3.84% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,739 households out of which 35.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.1% are married couples living together, 6.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 17.8% are non-families. 15.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.77 and the average family size is 3.09.
In the town the population is spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 43 years. For every 100 females there are 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $79,365, and the median income for a family is $88,583. Males have a median income of $58,946 versus $41,563 for females. The per capita income for the town is $36,471. 2.5% of the population and 2.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.4% of those under the age of 18 and 4.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Town of Orange official Web site (http://www.orange-ct.gov/)de:Orange (Connecticut)