Middlesex County
County
Raymond E Baldwin Courthouse
Raymond E Baldwin Courthouse
Map of Connecticut highlighting Middlesex County
Location within the U.S. state of Connecticut
Map of the United States highlighting Connecticut
Connecticut's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°26′N 72°31′W / 41.44°N 72.52°W / 41.44; -72.52
Country United States
State Connecticut
FoundedMay, 1785
Named forMiddlesex, England
Seatnone (since 1960)
Middletown (before 1960)
Largest cityMiddletown
Area
 • Total439 sq mi (1,140 km2)
 • Land369 sq mi (960 km2)
 • Water70 sq mi (200 km2)  15.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total164,245 Decrease
 • Density370/sq mi (140/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd, 3rd

Middlesex County is a county in the south central part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of the 2020 census, the population was 164,245.[1] The county was created in May 1785 from portions of Hartford County and New London County.

Middlesex County is included in the Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown metropolitan statistical area known as Greater Hartford.

As with all eight of Connecticut's counties, there is now no county government and no county seat. In Connecticut, towns are responsible for all local government activities, including local police, fire and rescue, snow removal, and schools. In a few cases, neighboring towns will share certain resources, e.g. water, gas, etc. On June 6, 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau formally recognized Connecticut's nine councils of governments as county equivalents instead of the state's eight counties. Connecticut's county governments were disbanded in 1960, and the councils of governments took over some of the local governmental functions. Connecticut's eight historical counties continue to exist in name only, and are no longer considered for statistical purposes.[2]

Government

Middletown was the county seat of Middlesex County from its creation in 1785 until the elimination of county government in 1960. There is no government in Middlesex County other than the Middlesex County Judicial District. All county functions other than courts and county sheriff's departments were discontinued in 1960, and again in 2000 when the county sheriff's departments were reorganized as the Connecticut Judicial Marshal, due to political corruption in the county sheriff's departments. Joseph E. Bibisi was the last person to serve as high sheriff of Middlesex County.

Geography

The county has a total area of 439 square miles (1,140 km2), of which 369 square miles (960 km2) is land and 70 square miles (180 km2) (15.9%) is water.[3] It is the smallest county in Connecticut by land area and second-smallest by total area.

The terrain trends from mostly level along the Connecticut River and Atlantic coast to gently rolling uplands away from them. The highest elevation is close to a triangulation station in Meshomasic State Forest, at 916 feet (279 m) above sea level; the lowest point is sea level.

Middlesex County is also the home of Wadsworth Falls.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179018,828—
180019,8745.6%
181020,7234.3%
182022,4058.1%
183024,84410.9%
184024,8790.1%
185027,2169.4%
186030,85913.4%
187036,09917.0%
188035,589−1.4%
189039,52411.1%
190041,7605.7%
191045,6379.3%
192047,5504.2%
193051,3888.1%
194055,9999.0%
195067,33220.2%
196088,86532.0%
1970114,81629.2%
1980129,01712.4%
1990143,19611.0%
2000155,0718.3%
2010165,6766.8%
2020164,245−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790–1960[5] 1900–1990[6]
1990–2000[7] 2010–2018[8]

2000 census

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 155,071 people, 61,341 households, and 40,607 families living in the county. The population density was 420 inhabitants per square mile (160/km2). There were 67,285 housing units at an average density of 182 per square mile (70/km2). According to the Census of 2010, the racial makeup of the county was 89.22% White, 4.64% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 2.56% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.30% from other races, and 2.06% from two or more races. 4.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.4% were of Italian, 14.3% Irish, 11.1% English, 8.9% Polish and 8.2% German ancestry. 91.1% spoke English, 2.6% Spanish, 1.9% Italian, 1.2% French and 1.0% Polish as their first language.

There were 61,341 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.40% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.80% were non-families. 27.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.20% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $59,175, and the median income for a family was $71,319. Males had a median income of $48,341 versus $35,607 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,251. About 2.30% of families and 4.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.00% of those under age 18 and 5.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 165,676 people, 67,202 households, and 43,743 families living in the county.[10] The population density was 448.6 inhabitants per square mile (173.2/km2). There were 74,837 housing units at an average density of 202.6 per square mile (78.2/km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 89.2% white, 4.7% black or African American, 2.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.7% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 24.6% were Italian, 21.2% were Irish, 14.0% were English, 13.5% were German, 11.1% were Polish, and 3.4% were American.[12]

Of the 67,202 households, 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.9% were non-families, and 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 43.1 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $74,906 and the median income for a family was $91,589. Males had a median income of $62,031 versus $50,031 for females. The per capita income for the county was $37,519. About 3.0% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Demographic breakdown by town

Income

Data is from the 2010 United States Census and the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.[14][15]

Rank Town Per capita
income		 Median
household
income		 Median
family
income		 Population Number of
households
1 Fenwick Borough $110,127 $114,375 $250,000+ 43 26
2 Essex Town $57,365 $87,480 $105,982 6,683 2,916
3 Killingworth Town $45,404 $99,500 $108,232 6,525 2,474
4 Old Saybrook Town $43,400 $79,985 $99,595 10,242 4,247
5 Cromwell Town $41,926 $82,012 $99,362 14,005 5,752
6 Chester Town $40,783 $80,185 $89,760 3,994 1,714
7 Durham Town $39,579 $105,417 $110,583 7,388 2,610
8 Portland Town $39,100 $86,661 $96,016 9,508 3,822
9 Westbrook Town $38,158 $61,069 $72,969 6,938 2,948
10 Haddam Town $37,324 $86,179 $100,343 8,346 3,218
11 East Haddam Town $37,156 $82,695 $86,023 9,126 3,593
12 Clinton Town $37,117 $74,174 $82,839 13,260 5,303
13 Middlefield Town $36,747 $80,392 $94,432 4,425 1,742
14 Deep River Town $35,564 $65,250 $81,641 4,629 1,940
15 East Hampton Town $34,555 $88,281 $95,854 12,959 5,060
16 Middletown City $31,348 $57,655 $78,006 47,648 19,863

Race

Data is from the 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, "Race alone or in combination with one or more other races."[16]

Rank Town Population White Black Asian American
Indian		 Other Hispanic
1 Middletown City 47,510 79.2% 15.7% 4.9% 0.6% 3.2% 8.1%
2 Cromwell Town 13,951 93.2% 3.9% 3.3% 0.3% 0.5% 4.2%
3 Clinton Town 13,291 95.8% 0.5% 2.1% 0.2% 1.8% 3.5%
4 East Hampton Town 12,926 95.4% 1.6% 1.7% 0.3% 1.9% 3.8%
5 Old Saybrook Town 10,307 97.8% 0.7% 1.8% 0.6% 0.0% 0.4%
6 Portland Town 9,470 96.2% 2.2% 1.0% 0.2% 1.9% 4.4%
7 East Haddam Town 9,069 99.3% 1.2% 0.0% 0.2% 0.7% 0.9%
8 Haddam Town 8,267 98.5% 1.5% 0.5% 1.5% 0.2% 2.6%
9 Durham Town 7,342 94.7% 0.5% 3.1% 0.2% 3.2% 5.3%
10 Westbrook Town 6,891 95.4% 0.5% 4.0% 1.2% 0.0% 4.5%
11 Essex Town 6,697 98.8% 0.6% 1.4% 0.1% 0.1% 0.6%
12 Killingworth Town 6,499 96.7% 0.0% 7.5% 1.4% 0.7% 3.0%
13 Deep River Town 4,652 88.7% 2.0% 0.3% 0.8% 7.5% 8.6%
14 Middlefield Town 4,418 94.3% 1.7% 4.2% 0.0% 0.7% 1.5%
15 Chester Town 3,984 98.3% 0.4% 1.7% 0.7% 0.0% 2.6%
16 Fenwick Borough 51 100.0% 5.9% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

Communities

Map of Middlesex County, Connecticut showing cities, boroughs, towns, and CDPs

City

Towns

Villages are named localities within towns, but have no separate corporate existence from the towns they are in.

Politics

Middlesex County is a statewide bellwhether. Since 1948, the winning statewide candidate has also carried Middlesex County, the longest active streak in the state.

United States presidential election results for Middlesex County, Connecticut[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 40,665 40.99% 56,848 57.30% 1,690 1.70%
2016 38,867 43.86% 45,357 51.18% 4,400 4.96%
2012 34,591 41.41% 47,855 57.29% 1,092 1.31%
2008 32,918 37.73% 52,984 60.72% 1,351 1.55%
2004 35,252 41.97% 47,292 56.31% 1,440 1.71%
2000 29,295 37.83% 43,319 55.94% 4,819 6.22%
1996 22,960 31.98% 37,695 52.51% 11,131 15.51%
1992 24,646 30.42% 34,707 42.83% 21,674 26.75%
1988 34,682 50.01% 33,946 48.95% 716 1.03%
1984 39,580 59.32% 26,915 40.34% 227 0.34%
1980 28,989 45.53% 24,768 38.90% 9,915 15.57%
1976 31,115 51.39% 29,097 48.05% 338 0.56%
1972 33,249 57.90% 23,573 41.05% 602 1.05%
1968 21,999 45.34% 23,727 48.90% 2,798 5.77%
1964 14,697 32.45% 30,517 67.39% 71 0.16%
1960 22,045 49.87% 22,158 50.13% 1 0.00%
1956 25,496 64.80% 13,851 35.20% 0 0.00%
1952 22,157 58.38% 15,722 41.43% 73 0.19%
1948 16,119 51.56% 14,609 46.73% 537 1.72%
1944 14,315 51.05% 13,551 48.32% 176 0.63%
1940 13,447 50.69% 13,044 49.17% 39 0.15%
1936 10,925 46.34% 12,294 52.14% 359 1.52%
1932 10,770 52.79% 9,286 45.52% 344 1.69%
1928 11,205 59.92% 7,380 39.47% 115 0.61%
1924 9,383 65.22% 4,009 27.87% 994 6.91%
1920 8,447 65.24% 4,170 32.21% 331 2.56%
1916 4,524 53.42% 3,765 44.46% 179 2.11%
1912 2,892 35.43% 3,393 41.57% 1,878 23.01%
1908 5,071 61.92% 2,935 35.84% 183 2.23%
1904 4,991 60.00% 3,167 38.07% 160 1.92%
1900 5,000 60.81% 3,102 37.72% 121 1.47%
1896 22,396 62.21% 12,463 34.62% 1,139 3.16%
1892 15,777 45.92% 18,006 52.41% 572 1.66%
1888 14,934 48.41% 15,251 49.44% 663 2.15%
1884 12,293 47.41% 12,966 50.01% 669 2.58%

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Middlesex County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  2. ↑ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/06/06/2022-12063/change-to-county-equivalents-in-the-state-of-connecticut Federal Register: Change to County-Equivalents in the State of Connecticut
  3. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  8. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  10. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  12. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  13. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  14. ↑ "SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  16. ↑ "ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  17. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.

41°26′N 72°31′W / 41.44°N 72.52°W / 41.44; -72.52

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