Middlesex County, Connecticut

Middlesex County is a county in the south central part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the population was 165,676.[1] The county was created in May 1785 from portions of Hartford County and New London County.

Middlesex County
County of Connecticut
County of Middlesex
Raymond E Baldwin Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Connecticut
Connecticut's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°26′N 72°31′W
Country	United States
State	Connecticut
Founded	May, 1785
Seat	none (since 1960) Middletown (before 1960)
Largest city	Middletown
Area
• Total	439 sq mi (1,140 km^2)
• Land	369 sq mi (960 km^2)
• Water	70 sq mi (200 km^2)  15.9%%
Population  (2010)
• Total	165,676
• Estimate  (2019)	162,436
• Density	380/sq mi (150/km^2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts	1st, 2nd, 3rd

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. Counties in Connecticut serve merely as dividing lines for the state's judicial system.

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.[2] 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

• Hartford County (north)
• New London County (east)
• New Haven County (west)
• Suffolk County (south)

National protected areas

• Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge (part)
• Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1790	18,828		—
1800	19,874		5.6%
1810	20,723		4.3%
1820	22,405		8.1%
1830	24,844		10.9%
1840	24,879		0.1%
1850	27,216		9.4%
1860	30,859		13.4%
1870	36,099		17.0%
1880	35,589		−1.4%
1890	39,524		11.1%
1900	41,760		5.7%
1910	45,637		9.3%
1920	47,550		4.2%
1930	51,388		8.1%
1940	55,999		9.0%
1950	67,332		20.2%
1960	88,865		32.0%
1970	114,816		29.2%
1980	129,017		12.4%
1990	143,196		11.0%
2000	155,071		8.3%
2010	165,676		6.8%
Est. 2019	162,436	[3]	−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[4] 1790-1960[5] 1900-1990[6] 1990-2000[7] 2010-2018[1]

2000 census

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 155,071 people, 61,341 households, and 40,607 families living in the county. The population density was 420 people per square mile (162/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.[9] 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).[10] 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.[9] 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.[11]

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.[9]

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.[12]

Demographic breakdown by town

Income

See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income

Data is from the 2010 United States Census and the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.[13][14]

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."[15]

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

• Middletown

Towns

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

• Chester
• Clinton
• Cromwell
• Deep River
  • Winthrop
• Durham
• East Haddam
  • Moodus
• East Hampton
  • Cobalt
  • Lake Pocotopaug
  • Middle Haddam
• Essex
  • Essex Village
  • Centerbrook
  • Ivoryton
• Haddam
  • Higganum
• Killingworth
• Middlefield
  • Rockfall
• Old Saybrook
  • Fenwick
  • Old Saybrook Center
  • Saybrook Manor
• Portland
• Westbrook

Politics

Presidential elections results

Middlesex County vote
by party in presidential elections[16]

Year	GOP	DEM	Others
2016	43.9% 38,867	51.2% 45,357	5.0% 4,400
2012	41.4% 34,591	57.3% 47,855	1.3% 1,092
2008	37.7% 32,918	60.7% 52,984	1.6% 1,351
2004	42.0% 35,252	56.3% 47,292	1.7% 1,440
2000	37.8% 29,295	55.9% 43,319	6.2% 4,819
1996	32.0% 22,960	52.5% 37,695	15.5% 11,131
1992	30.4% 24,646	42.8% 34,707	26.7% 21,674
1988	50.0% 34,682	49.0% 33,946	1.0% 716
1984	59.3% 39,580	40.3% 26,915	0.3% 227
1980	45.5% 28,989	38.9% 24,768	15.6% 9,915
1976	51.4% 31,115	48.1% 29,097	0.6% 338
1972	57.9% 33,249	41.1% 23,573	1.1% 602
1968	45.3% 21,999	48.9% 23,727	5.8% 2,798
1964	32.5% 14,697	67.4% 30,517	0.2% 71
1960	49.9% 22,045	50.1% 22,158	0.0% 1
1956	64.8% 25,496	35.2% 13,851	0.0% 0
1952	58.4% 22,157	41.4% 15,722	0.2% 73
1948	51.6% 16,119	46.7% 14,609	1.7% 537
1944	51.1% 14,315	48.3% 13,551	0.6% 176
1940	50.7% 13,447	49.2% 13,044	0.2% 39
1936	46.3% 10,925	52.1% 12,294	1.5% 359
1932	52.8% 10,770	45.5% 9,286	1.7% 344
1928	59.9% 11,205	39.5% 7,380	0.6% 115
1924	65.2% 9,383	27.9% 4,009	6.9% 994
1920	65.2% 8,447	32.2% 4,170	2.6% 331
1916	53.4% 4,524	44.5% 3,765	2.1% 179
1912	35.4% 2,892	41.6% 3,393	23.0% 1,878
1908	61.9% 5,071	35.8% 2,935	2.2% 183
1904	60.0% 4,991	38.1% 3,167	1.9% 160
1900	60.8% 5,000	37.7% 3,102	1.5% 121
1896	62.2% 22,396	34.6% 12,463	3.2% 1,139
1892	45.9% 15,777	52.4% 18,006	1.7% 572
1888	48.4% 14,934	49.4% 15,251	2.2% 663
1884	47.4% 12,293	50.0% 12,966	2.6% 669

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Middlesex County, Connecticut

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
2. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 8, 2019.
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. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
8. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
9. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
10. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
11. "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 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
12. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
13. "SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
14. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2019-05-21. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
15. "ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.

External links

• Middlesex County Historical Society
•  "Middlesex: II. A S. county of Connecticut" . The American Cyclopædia. 1879.