Kent, Connecticut

Kent is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, alongside the border with New York. The population was 2,979 at the 2010 census,[2] up from 2,858 at the 2000 census. The town is home to three boarding schools: Kent School, the Marvelwood School, and South Kent School. The Schaghticoke Indian Reservation is also located within town borders.

Kent, Connecticut
Town
St. Andrew's Church
Seal
Location in Litchfield County, Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°43′54″N 73°27′09″W
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyLitchfield
RegionNorthwest Hills
Incorporated1739
Government
 • TypeSelectman-town meeting
 • First selectmanJean C. Speck (D)
 • SelectmanChristopher Garrity (D)
 • SelectmanEdward Matson (R)
Area
 • Total49.6 sq mi (128.5 km2)
 • Land48.5 sq mi (125.7 km2)
 • Water1.0 sq mi (2.7 km2)
Elevation
466 ft (142 m)
Population
 (2010)[1]
 • Total2,979
 • Density61/sq mi (23.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP codes
06757, 06785
Area code(s)860
FIPS code09-40290
GNIS feature ID0213446
Websitewww.townofkentct.org

History

The town of Kent was sectioned in 1737 and settled about 1739.[3] The town was named after Kent in England.[4]

Geography

Kent is in western Litchfield County and is bordered to the west by Dutchess County, New York. It is 26 miles (42 kilometers) north of Danbury and 50 miles (80 km) west of Hartford. The town's central village is found at 41°43′29″N 73°28′39″W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 49 5⁄8 square miles (128.5 km2), of which 48 1⁄2 square miles (125.7 km2) are land and 1 square mile (2.7 km2), or 2.14%, are water. Bull's Bridge, one of two covered bridges open to vehicles in Connecticut, is located in the town. The town is bisected by the Housatonic River. The western half contains Macedonia Brook State Park, the Schaghticoke Indian Reservation, and a section of the Appalachian Trail.

Principal communities
  • Bulls Bridge
  • Flanders
  • Kent center
  • Kent Furnace
  • Macedonia
  • North Kent
  • South Kent (has its own post office)
  • Schaghticoke Indian Reservation

Points of interest

Macedonia Brook State Park

Macedonia Brook State Park was first opened in 1918 with a donation of 1,552 acres (628 hectares) from the White Memorial Foundation of Litchfield. Since then, it has now grown to a size of 2,300 acres (930 ha) and is used for outdoor recreation throughout the year.

Besides the pure beauty of Appalachia, the park also boasts extensive trails, campgrounds, a venue for large group picnics, a small hilltop lake, and the park's namesake, Macedonia Brook. Visitors can also take advantage of the numerous grills set up around the park. From peaks on the Blue Trail, hikers can take in views of the Catskill Mountains and the Taconic Mountains.

Kent Falls State Park
Kent Falls, before its 2005-2006 renovation
Main article: Kent Falls State Park

Kent Falls State Park is often called "The Jewel of the Inland Parks" with its views of 17 waterfalls. The falls are fed by wetlands which are located in Warren, and empties into the Housatonic River, which is directly across the highway from the park.

A trail winds a quarter of a mile up along the falls, and although it is not difficult to walk it is steep, rising 250 feet (80 meters) in 1⁄4 mile (400 m). In 2006 a $1.1 million trail renovation was finished which provided new viewing platforms and a redesigned trail. Swimming was at one time allowed along the entire length of the falls, but due to a number of serious accidents, and large-scale damage to the natural environment, all of the area along the water above the bottom level is now closed by state law.

The park is designated as a Trout Park and is stocked with trout from the state's hatcheries. Due to the Trout Park designation the daily creel limit in the park is two fish.

Bulls Bridge
Bulls Bridge, Kent, Connecticut

Bull's Bridge is one of three remaining covered bridges in Connecticut dating from the 19th century. George Washington crossed the Housatonic River near the site of the present bridge in 1781.

Sloane-Stanley Museum

A museum featuring the studio and antique collections of Eric Sloane.

Connecticut Antique Machinery Association

A museum dedicated to antique machinery, as the name implies. One notable exhibit is its 3 ft (914 mm) narrow-gauge[5] railroad, which features an operating steam locomotive.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18201,956—
18501,848—
18601,8550.4%
18701,744−6.0%
18801,622−7.0%
18901,383−14.7%
19001,220−11.8%
19101,122−8.0%
19201,086−3.2%
19301,054−2.9%
19401,24518.1%
19501,39211.8%
19601,68621.1%
19701,99018.0%
19802,50525.9%
19902,91816.5%
20002,858−2.1%
20102,9794.2%
Est. 20142,910[6]−2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 2,858 people, 1,143 households, and 744 families residing in the town. The population density was 59 inhabitants per square mile (23/km2). There were 1,463 housing units at an average density of 30.2/sq mi (11.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.77% White, 0.56% Black or African American, 0.77% Native American, 0.98% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 2.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The most numerous ethnic groups in Kent are:

  • English - 19%
  • Irish - 16%
  • German - 14%
  • Italian - 7%
  • Scottish - 5%

There were 1,143 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% 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 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $53,906, and the median income for a family was $66,065. Males had a median income of $46,343 versus $31,493 for females. The per capita income for the town was $38,674. About 0.1% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 25, 2005[9]
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Democratic 602 26 628 29.68%
Republican 570 20 590 27.88%
Unaffiliated 839 59 898 42.44%
Minor Parties 0 0 0 0.0%
Total 2,011 105 2,116 100%

Education

Kent is a member of Regional School District 01, which also includes the towns of Canaan, Cornwall, North Canaan, Salisbury, and Sharon. Public school students attend Kent Center School from grades K-8 and Housatonic Valley Regional High School from grades 9-12. Kent also has three private schools: Kent School, a coed Episcopal independent school serving grades 9-12/PG, South Kent School, an all-boys Episcopal independent school, and Marvelwood School, a coed non-sectarian independent school.

Transportation

U.S. Route 7 is the main north-south highway in the town, while Connecticut Route 341 is the main east-west highway. Route 7 leads north 25 miles (40 km) to North Canaan and south 28 miles (45 km) to Danbury, while Route 341 leads east 8 miles (13 km) to Warren and west to the New York border and the town of Amenia.

Notable people

[10]

See also: List of Kent School people
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References
  1. U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates
  2. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Kent town, Litchfield County, Connecticut". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  3. Kent Historical Society -- 275th anniversary celebration October 2014
  4. The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 332.
  5. "The Connecticut Antique Machinery Association"
  6. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Archived from the original on May 23, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  9. "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 25, 2005" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-02.
  10. https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2001-12-16-0112202832-story.html
  11. Sowles, Edward A. (October 21, 1890). Memorial Sketch of Herman R. Beardsley in Proceedings of the Vermont Bar Association. II, 5. Barre, VT: Thomas H. Cave, Book and Job Printer. pp. 310–313.
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