Branford, Connecticut

Branford is a town located along Long Island Sound in New Haven County, Connecticut, eight miles east of New Haven. The population was 28,683 at the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 72.5 km² (28.0 mi²). 56.9 km² (22.0 mi²) of it is land and 15.6 km² (6.0 mi²) of it (21.50%) is water.

Culture

Branford High School's football team won the Class MM state championship in the fall of 2005 for the first time in almost 50 years. Branford High's baseball team won the state championship in spring of 2006.

The Branford High School swim teams, both male and female, are some of the best in the Class M division in the entire country in recent years. The girls' team won a Branford record 6 consecutive Class M state championships between the years of 1999-2005

Branford High School's outdoor track team won the state MM title in 2005.

Branford's 2004-2005 Boy's Varsity Basketball Team was also the inaugural champions of the newly created Oronoque Division.

The town has many beautiful sections, including; Short Beach, Branford Hill, Pine Orchard, Stony Creek, Conifer Drive, Eastwood Drive,Branford Point, Indian Neck, and Branford Center.

Since 1988, Indian Neck has been the home of the Scum Beach Polar Bear Club.

History

An area called "Totoket" which became Branford was part of the land bought from the Mattabesech Indians in 1638 by the first settlers of New Haven. The Dutch set up a trading post at the mouth of the Branford River in the 1600s. That's the source of the name "Dutch Wharf." ^*" target="_blank" >Branford Chamber of Commerce web site accessed 26 June 2006

The town's name is said to be derived from the town of Brentford, England. Early settlers were largely farmers, but with an accessible port there were also a trade in lumber, livestock, brooms and produce -- all traded for rum from the West Indies.^*" target="_blank" >Branford Chamber of Commerce web site accessed 26 June 2006

In the late 18th century, the first shoreline community was settled -- Stony Creek. Indian Neck, Pine Orchard were also settled, but none of those settlements were permanent until the mid-19th century.^*" target="_blank" >Branford Chamber of Commerce web site accessed 26 June 2006

In 1852, the railroad came to town, bringing new business, including Branford Lockworks, Malleable Iron Fittings Company and the Atlantic Wire Company.^*" target="_blank" >Branford Chamber of Commerce web site accessed 26 June 2006

Branford also became a popular resort area, with 20 hotels, including Indian Point House in Stony Creek, Montowese House in Indian neck, and Sheldon House in Pine Orchard.^*" target="_blank" >Branford Chamber of Commerce web site accessed 26 June 2006

In 1974, Connecticut Hospice was founded in Branford, the first hospice in the United States.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 28,683 people, 12,543 households, and 7,663 families residing in the town. The population density was 503.8/km² (1,305.2/mi²). There were 13,342 housing units at an average density of 234.4/km² (607.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.05% White, 1.35% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.72% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.57% of the population.

There were 12,543 households out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $58,009, and the median income for a family was $69,510. Males had a median income of $46,927 versus $35,947 for females. The per capita income for the town was $32,301. 4.1% of the population and 3.3% of families were below the poverty line. 3.9% of those under the age of 18 and 4.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.