Thomaston, Connecticut
Thomaston is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 7,503 at the 2000 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 31.7 km² (12.2 mi²). 31.1 km² (12.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (1.80%) is water.
The town is located at the confluence of the Naugatuck River, Northfield Brook and Black Rock Brook, and is protected by Army Corp of Engineer flood control dams on each of these watercourses. These were all constructed in the years immediately following the devastating flood of 1955 which ravaged the town as well as the state in general.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 7,503 people, 2,916 households, and 2,067 families residing in the town. The population density was 241.2/km² (624.7/mi²). There were 3,014 housing units at an average density of 96.9/km² (251.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.85% White, 0.60% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.45% of the population.
There were 2,916 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $54,297, and the median income for a family was $63,682. Males had a median income of $40,795 versus $31,744 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,799. 4.2% of the population and 3.3% of families were below the poverty line. Of the total population, 5.8% of those under the age of 18 and 4.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
History
The town, originally part of Plymouth, Connecticut, and referred to as 'Plymouth Hollow' was first settled in the early 1700's. It was incorporated in its own right and under the name 'Thomaston' in 1875. The name derives from Seth Thomas, the early clockmaker, who established a factory in town. The Seth Thomas clock factory building still exists, however the clock making industry has long since left the area.