Torrington, Connecticut

Torrington is the largest city in Litchfield County, Connecticut. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 35,202, but a July 1, 2004 estimate put the city's population at 36,248. It is the largest city in Litchfield County and in northwest Connecticut. It is also the core city of the largest of the country's micropolitan areas.

The city was settled in 1735. It was incorporated as a town in 1740 and as a city in 1923. In 1955, a flood destroyed much of the downtown area.

Today Torrington is an economically depressed former mill town, as are most other towns along the Naugatuck River Valley. It is currently competing with the neighboring city of Winsted to recreate a pleasant Main Street environment. Downtown Torringon is home to the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts, which trains world-class ballet dancers and whose Company performs in the Warner Theatre, a 1,700 seat auditorium restored in 2002 to its original 1931 glory. The theater, while originally built as a cinema by the Warner Brothers film studio, has been reborn as a performing arts venue and arts instruction organization, and it will be a focal point for any further downtown revitalization.

The current mayor of Torrington is 22-year-old Ryan Bingham.

Abolitionist John Brown was born in Torrington in 1800.

It was also home to Chris Tokarz who participated in the town's Negro Rebellion in 1842.

The top of Rt 202 (Also known as East Main st) in Torrington will soon have the city's 6th Pharmacy as well as another Stop and Shop and Target. This area use to be open land with very little traffic. A local restaurant was closed down to be converted into a Bank for this project.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 104.6 km² (40.4 mi²). 103.1 km² (39.8 mi²) of it is land and 1.5 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (1.41%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 35,202 people, 14,743 households, and 9,125 families residing in the city. The population density was 341.6/km² (884.7/mi²). There were 16,147 housing units at an average density of 156.7/km² (405.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.03% White, 2.15% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.83% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.31% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.30% of the population.

There were 14,743 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,841, and the median income for a family was $54,375. Males had a median income of $37,702 versus $28,418 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,406. About 4.5% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

City Financial Report (2004)

The City of Torrington typically collects 100% of taxes owed through the use of private tax collectors.

The 2004 General Fund budgetry fund balance was $5.8 million. The City has bonded debt outstanding of $36.8 million for governmental activities and $4.2 million for business type (WPCA). All current outstanding bonded debt will be retired by the year 2021 (current estimate).

Torrington's bond rating is A1.

In 2004, total revenue was $88,444,157: Property Taxes (64.40%), Board of Education Grants (23.44%), Federal & State Grants (7.06%), General Government (3.67%), Public Safety (0.64%), Public Works (0.53%), Invest Income (0.26%), and Recreation (0.01%).

Total expidentures and encumbrances were $88,679,873: Board of Education (53.41%), Public Safety (12.97%), Pension & Miscellaneous (10.58%), Public Works (8.34%), Debt Services (7.69%), General Government (3.49%), Public Health & Social Services (1.99%), Operating Transfers Out (0.85%), Recreation (0.40%), Second Part Budget (0.29%).

Crime

The number of violent crimes recorded by the FBI in 2003 was 139. The number of murders and homicides was 0. The violent crime rate was 3.9 per 1,000 people.

Sports Teams

Twisters (New England Collegiate Baseball League)

External links

• Torrington City Government Website
• Torrington Public School System
• Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce