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Chester, Connecticut

Coordinates: 41°24′08″N 72°28′57″W / 41.40222°N 72.48250°W / 41.40222; -72.48250
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Chester, Connecticut
Town
The Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall
Official seal of Chester, Connecticut
Seal
Chester's location within Middlesex County and Connecticut
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates: 41°24′08″N 72°28′57″W / 41.40222°N 72.48250°W / 41.40222; -72.48250
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyMiddlesex
RegionLower CT River Valley
Incorporated1836
Government
 • TypeSelectman-town meeting
 • First selectmanCharlene Janacek
Area
 • Total
16.8 sq mi (43.5 km2)
 • Land16.0 sq mi (41.5 km2)
 • Water0.8 sq mi (2.1 km2)
Elevation
[1]
377 ft (115 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
3,749
 • Density220/sq mi (86/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
06412
Area code(s)860/959
FIPS code09-14300
GNIS feature ID0213407[1]
Websitewww.chesterct.com

Chester is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region. The population was 3,749 at the 2020 census.[2] The town center is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP). The name is a transfer from Chester, in England.[3]

History

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The area was home to a Native American (possibly Hammonasset) village named Pattaquonk.[4] Pattaquonk was also the name and approximate location of a 30-acre Wangunk reservation established in 1662 as part of the English acquisition of the land encompassing Haddam and East Haddam, which was home to three Wangunk villages.[5] English settlement of the area began in 1692. The town was formed from the northern quarter of Saybrook and incorporated in 1836.

In 1769, Jonathan Warner was granted permission to operate a ferry across the Connecticut River that became the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, the second-oldest continuously operating ferry service in Connecticut. Its location is currently a state historical landmark.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 16.8 square miles (44 km2), of which, 16.0 square miles (41 km2) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) (4.75%) is water. The CDP has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) of which 1.46% is water.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1840974—
18509921.8%
18601,0152.3%
18701,0947.8%
18801,1777.6%
18901,30110.5%
19001,3282.1%
19101,4196.9%
19201,67518.0%
19301,463−12.7%
19401,67614.6%
19501,92014.6%
19602,52031.3%
19702,98218.3%
19803,0682.9%
19903,41711.4%
20003,7439.5%
20103,9946.7%
20203,749−6.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income

At the 2000 census there were 3,743 people, 1,510 households, and 1,005 families living in the town. The population density was 233.5 inhabitants per square mile (90.2/km2). There were 1,613 housing units at an average density of 100.6 per square mile (38.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.79% White, 0.85% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.71%.[7]

Memorial Day ceremony in Chester, 1990

Of the 1,510 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 28.1% of households were one person, and 13.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93.

The age distribution was 22.3% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median household income was $65,156 and the median family income was $79,941. Males had a median income of $45,515 versus $40,444 for females. The per capita income for the town was $32,191. None of the families and 1.3% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 2.6% of those over 64.

CDP

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At the 2000 census, there were 1,546 people, 632 households, and 401 families living in the Chester Center CDP. The population density was 762.1 inhabitants per square mile (294.2 inhabitants/km2). There were 669 housing units at an average density of 329.8 per square mile (127.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.31% White, 1.29% African American, 0.06% Native American, 1.36% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.

Of the 632 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 30.5% of households were one person, and 10.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 21.9% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median household income was $64,236 and the median family income was $71,250. Males had a median income of $38,900 versus $46,354 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $32,087. None of the families and 0.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 29, 2019[8]
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Democratic 1,054 49 1,103 38.37%
Republican 560 24 584 20.31%
Unaffiliated 1,075 72 1,147 39.90%
Minor parties 37 4 41 1.42%
Total 2,726 149 2,875 100%
Presidential election results[9][10]
Year Democratic Republican Third parties
2020 65.5% 1,701 32.9% 853 1.6% 42
2016 60.2% 1,365 34.4% 781 5.4% 123
2012 65.4% 1,380 33.5% 707 1.1% 22
2008 67.5% 1,527 31.4% 710 1.1% 25
2004 62.1% 1,375 35.9% 796 2.0% 43
2000 58.7% 1,207 34.1% 701 7.2% 149
1996 56.9% 1,089 28.0% 536 15.1% 289
1992 45.1% 924 26.0% 533 28.9% 593
1988 48.6% 821 49.6% 838 1.8% 31
1984 38.4% 637 61.1% 1,015 0.5% 8
1980 37.3% 578 47.0% 729 15.7% 244
1976 45.4% 671 54.2% 800 0.4% 6
1972 36.8% 552 62.1% 931 1.1% 17
1968 44.3% 549 51.5% 638 4.2% 53
1964 64.1% 802 35.9% 450 0.00% 0
1960 41.9% 544 58.1% 754 0.00% 0
1956 33.4% 413 66.6% 825 0.00% 0

Education

[edit]

Chester, like the other two towns in the "tri-town area" (Essex and Deep River), is a member of Regional School District #4. John Winthrop Junior High School is on Warsaw Street in Deep River, and Valley Regional High School, is on Kelsey Hill in Deep River. They serve students in grades 7–8 and 9–12, respectively. Each town in the area also has their own elementary school, serving grades K–6.

Media

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The 1959 film It Happened to Jane, starring Doris Day and Jack Lemmon, was filmed in Chester. Portions of the 1971 horror film Let's Scare Jessica to Death were filmed in Chester, including the Chester–Hadlyme Ferry.

Points of interest

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On the National Register of Historic Places

[edit]

Industry

[edit]

The Whelen Engineering Corporation,[12] a major designer and distributor of public service warning equipment (warning lights, sirens, etc.) in North America, is headquartered in Chester.

Transportation

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Air

[edit]

The Chester Airport is a local facility with one paved runway. It is privately owned by Whelen Aviation.

Ground

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The Estuary Transit District provides public transportation throughout Chester and the surrounding towns through its 9 Town Transit Service. Services include connections to the Old Saybrook Train Station, served by Amtrak and Shoreline East railroads.

Notable people

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Pictures of Chester

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  • Chester High School, c. 1906–1916
    Chester High School, c. 1906–1916
  • Oldest house in Chester, built 1649 (picture c. 1906–1916)
    Oldest house in Chester, built 1649 (picture c. 1906–1916)
  • Old Stone Store, c. 1901–1907
    Old Stone Store, c. 1901–1907
  • Main Street, looking east, c. 1901–1907
    Main Street, looking east, c. 1901–1907

References

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  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Chester, Connecticut
  2. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Chester town, Middlesex County, Connecticut". Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  3. ^ The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 331.
  4. ^ "Indigenous Communities of Connecticut - TeachIt | Connecticut History In The Classroom". TeachIt | Connecticut History In The Classroom -. December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  5. ^ Field, David Dudley (1814). A History of the Towns of Haddam and East-Haddam. Loomis and Richards. pp. 3–8. ISBN 9781016139618.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  8. ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 29, 2019" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  9. ^ "General Elections Statement of Vote 1922". CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  10. ^ "Public Reporting". ctemspublic.pcctg.net. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  11. ^ Columbia Daily Spectator, April 10, 2007, Small-town Artist With a Big-time Legacy by Ginia Sweeney "Small-town Artist with a Big-time Legacy". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
  12. ^ Whelen Engineering Corporation
  13. ^ Maker, Elizabeth, "Suddenly, Balls in Every Court", The New York Times, June 1, 2003, retrieved January 27, 2010
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