South Windsor, Connecticut

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South Windsor, Connecticut
—  Town  —

Seal
Motto: "One Town One Future"[1]
Location of South Windsor within Hartford County, Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°49′56″N 72°34′11″W / 41.83222°N 72.56972°W / 41.83222; -72.56972Coordinates: 41°49′56″N 72°34′11″W / 41.83222°N 72.56972°W / 41.83222; -72.56972
Country United States
State Connecticut
NECTA Hartford
Region Capitol Region
Incorporated 1845
Government
 • Type Council-manager
 • Town council Tom Delnicki (R), Mayor
Gary Bazzano (R), Deputy Mayor
Cary Prague (R)
Cindy Beaulieu (R)
Jan Snyder (R)
Kevin McCann (R)
Keith Yagaloff (D)
Saud Anwar (D)
Edward Havens (D)
 • Town manager Matthew B. Galligan
Area
 • Total 28.7 sq mi (74.3 km2)
 • Land 28.1 sq mi (72.7 km2)
 • Water 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2)
Elevation 72 ft (22 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 25,709
 • Density Bad rounding here900/sq mi (Bad rounding here350/km2)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 06074
Area code(s) 860
FIPS code 09-71390
GNIS feature ID 0213509
Website www.southwindsor.org

South Windsor is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 25,709 at the 2010 census.[2]

Contents

History[edit]

In 1659, Thomas Burnham (1617–1688) purchased the tract of land now covered by the towns of South Windsor and East Hartford from Tantinomo, chief sachem of the Podunk Indians.[3] Burnham lived on the land and later willed it to his nine children.[4] Beginning in the middle of the 17th century, a few of the settlers of Windsor began using land on the east bank of the Connecticut River for grazing and farming purposes. By 1700, a number of families had made their homes in this area, now known as South Windsor. In 1768, the residents of the area were allowed to incorporate as the separate town of East Windsor, though the area was informally referred to as East Windsor before this time, which then included all of East Windsor, South Windsor and Ellington. Known for its agriculture and ship building, the town supplied more than 200 volunteers during the American Revolution. In 1786, Ellington became an independent town. South Windsor itself was incorporated as a town in 1845. Tobacco was a major crop grown in South Windsor since its founding. However, the town has industrialized and commercialized more over time.

(Old) Main Street, located near the Connecticut River and running north to south from the border of East Hartford to that of East Windsor, is the center of the town's historical district. Wood Memorial Library, Ellsworth School, and the nation's oldest continually operating post office are located on the street. Minister Timothy Edwards is buried in a cemetery located on Main Street, and the town's middle school is named for him. In 1698, Edwards became the first minister for the settlers on the east side of the river, and his church was built on Main Street (in present-day South Windsor). His son, theologian Jonathan Edwards, was born in South Windsor (at the time still part of Windsor). Ulysses S. Grant stayed at a home on the street.

The town has become less and less agricultural/rural since 1950. This former farming community has been transformed into a suburban town with industrial and commercial districts. The town's population more than tripled between 1950 and 2000. In the early 1990s, residents mobilized against a proposed nuclear waste dump located near the East Windsor town line. They were successful in their drive to keep the town nuclear-free.

Currently, the town is at a crossroads trying to reconcile the town's rural history and character with exploding residential and now even commercial development.

On the National Register of Historic Places[edit]

Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.7 square miles (74.3 km2), of which 28.1 square miles (72.7 km2) is land and 0.62 square miles (1.6 km2), or 2.12%, is water.[2]

Climate data for {{{location}}}
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 70
(21)		 74
(23)		 86
(30)		 93
(34)		 99
(37)		 100
(38)		 101
(38)		 102
(39)		 101
(38)		 89
(32)		 83
(28)		 75
(24)		 102
(39)
Average high °F (°C) 36
(2)		 39
(4)		 48
(9)		 60
(16)		 70
(21)		 79
(26)		 84
(29)		 82
(28)		 75
(24)		 63
(17)		 52
(11)		 41
(5)		 60.8
(16)
Average low °F (°C) 18
(−8)		 22
(−6)		 29
(−2)		 40
(4)		 49
(9)		 59
(15)		 65
(18)		 63
(17)		 54
(12)		 42
(6)		 35
(2)		 24
(−4)		 41.7
(5.3)
Record low °F (°C) −17
(−27)		 −24
(−31)		 −4
(−20)		 11
(−12)		 25
(−4)		 39
(4)		 45
(7)		 38
(3)		 29
(−2)		 18
(−8)		 5
(−15)		 −12
(−24)		 −24
(−31)
Precipitation inches (mm) 3.15
(80)		 2.75
(69.9)		 3.57
(90.7)		 3.88
(98.6)		 3.89
(98.8)		 3.99
(101.3)		 4.00
(101.6)		 3.66
(93)		 3.48
(88.4)		 4.14
(105.2)		 3.84
(97.5)		 3.35
(85.1)		 43.7
(1,110)
Source: Weather Channel[5]

Demographics[edit]

See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income
Historical population of
South Windsor[6]
2000 24,412
2010 25,709

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 24,412 people, 8,905 households, and 6,767 families residing in the town. The population density was 873.1 people per square mile (337.1/km²). There were 9,071 housing units at an average density of 324.4 per square mile (125.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.50% White, 5.95% African American, 0.18% Native American, 3.71% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.66% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.27% of the population.

There were 8,905 households out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $73,990, and the median income for a family was $82,807. Males had a median income of $55,703 versus $38,665 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,966. About 1.5% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.8% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education[edit]

Children attending the public school systems in South Windsor begin at the elementary school level (Kindergarten through Grade 5) at one of five elementary schools: Eli Terry, Orchard Hill, Philip R. Smith, Pleasant Valley and Wapping. Students then graduate to Timothy Edwards Middle School, for grades 6-8. They also have the choice to go to a magnet school, Two Rivers Magnet Middle School in East Hartford. They then finish up their schooling at South Windsor High School. Over 140 students in the 2004, 2005, and 2006 classes have been admitted to the University of Connecticut in Storrs.

Economy and commercial development[edit]

Question book-new.svg
 This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2007)

South Windsor has recently seen an increase in commercial development, a major shift from the town's industrial and agricultural origins. At the same time, the town has seen an over-reliance on residential property taxes to fund the town's budget and services. Many argue that commercial development is necessary. However, some disagree and favor open space, preservation, and regulations limiting commercial as well as further residential developments.

Single and multi-family residential development has lately been discouraged by the town in favor of senior housing complexes, whose residents require fewer town services and do not add children to the school system.

The town borders Manchester, which is home to the Shoppes at Buckland Hills and other stores, part of a huge commercial area that serves the entire state. South Windsor had in the past received significant traffic but no taxes from these stores. Thus the town approved The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk, a 1,200,000-square-foot (110,000 m2) non-enclosed retail development, with some 60 outlets. In recent years, the Buckland commercial zone bordering Manchester has been greatly developed, and the town now receives significant taxes from the retail sector.

Development continues on Buckland Road, with former tobacco fields and barns giving way to various retail and office projects. The town also plans to develop the I-291 Gateway Zone, located at the southern end of John Fitch Boulevard (U.S. Route 5). Other areas of development include Rye Street and the construction of an Aldi distribution center.

Government and politics[edit]

South Windsor Town Council
Type
Type Town council
Leadership
Mayor Tom Delnicki, Republican
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzanno, Republican
Town manager Matthew Galligan
Structure
Seats 9
Political groups      Republican (6)
     Democratic (3)
Elections
Last election 8 November 2011
Meeting place
Council Chambers, 1540 Sullivan Ave.
Website
Official website

Town council[edit]

South Windsor is governed by a council-manager form of government. The town manager is appointed by the town council and the leader of the council is designated as the mayor.

Voting[edit]

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 30, 2012[8]
Party Active Voters Inactive Voters Total Voters Percentage
  Democratic 5,896 294 6,190 36.36%
  Republican 3,516 147 3,663 21.52%
  Unaffiliated 6,564 513 7,077 41.57%
  Minor Parties 92 3 95 0.56%
Total 16,068 957 17,025 100%
Election results from statewide races
Year Office Results
2012 President Obama 56.3 - 42.1%
Senator Murphy 52.8 - 42.9%
Congress Larson 65.4 - 27.8%
2010 Governor Malloy 50.1 - 46.1%
Senator Blumenthal 53.0 - 42.9%
Congress Larson 58.1 - 38.8%
2008 President Obama 60.0 - 37.7%
Congress Larson 67.7 - 24.8%
2006 Governor Rell 63.7 - 35.3%
Senator Lieberman 48.4 - 41.8 - 9.0%
Congress Larson 73.2 - 23.0%
2004 President Kerry 54.5 - 44.0%
Senator Dodd 69.6 - 29.0%
Congress Larson 74.4 - 25.6%

Notable residents[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Town of South Windsor Connecticut". Town of South Windsor Connecticut. Retrieved September 22, 2012. 
  2. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): South Windsor town, Hartford County, Connecticut". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved November 28, 2012. 
  3. ^ Goodwin, Joseph Olcott (1879). East Hartford: Its History and Traditions. Hartford, Connecticut: Case, Lockwood, and Brainard Co. 
  4. ^ Burnham, Roderick Henry (1869). The Burnham Family; Or Genealogical Records of the Descendants of the Four. Hartford, Connecticut: Case, Lockwood, and Brainard Co. 
  5. ^ [1] Weather Channel Retrieved 2011-11-16
  6. ^ [2][3]
  7. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  8. ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 30, 2012" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Archived from the original on 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2006-10-02. 

External links[edit]

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