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Orange is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,233 at the 2000 census.
History
When originally settled by English colonists, Orange was simply a northern and eastern district of the now neighboring city of Milford, Connecticut; however, by 1822 the population of the district had grown to the point where residents desired to form their own separate community, thus forming the town of Orange. The town is named after King William III, "Prince of Orange".
The town continued to grow throughout the 19th century, until finally splitting once again in 1921. In this year, the new city of West Haven was formed out of the southeastern neighborhoods of Orange. This gave the remnant town of Orange a very rural feel as the bulk of urbanized population was ceded to West Haven. In the post-war years, however, Orange began suburbanizing at a rapid pace. At present, the town is a blend of rural and suburban development, and features a highly commercialized strip of business along the Boston Post Road, just north of Interstate 95. The town currently faces continuing political issues regarding ongoing urbanization and commercial development.
Culture and Notable Features
Orange maintains its rural roots through the Orange Country Fair every September, which serves as a miniature homage to many typical American State Fairs. In early August, the town also promotes the Orange Volunteer Fireman's Carnival, which raises funds to support the town's continuing all-volunteer fire department. Both events are held at the fairgrounds at High Plains Community Center near the center of town.
Orange was the home of the first computer camp, held at the local Amity Jr. High School in 1978. It is not widely known, but Orange is also host to one of the primary manufacturing plants of PEZ candies.
During the Cold War, Orange served as a location for the permanent deployment of Nike missiles for the defense of Greater New Haven. The former site of the Nike missiles has since served (from the late 1950's onward) as the home of the 103rd Air Control and Warning Squadron, later to become the 103rd Tactical Control Squadron and as it remains today the 103rd Air Control Squadron, a part of the Connecticut Air National Guard.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.1 km² (17.4 mi²). 44.5 km² (17.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (1.38%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 13,233 people, 4,739 households, and 3,895 families residing in the town. The population density was 297.2/km² (770.0/mi²). There were 4,870 housing units at an average density of 109.4/km² (283.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.08% White, 0.79% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 3.84% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.
There were 4,739 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.1% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.8% were non-families. 15.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $79,365, and the median income for a family was $88,583. Males had a median income of $58,946 versus $41,563 for females. The per capita income for the town was $36,471. About 2.1% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
External links
"Orange, Connecticut"