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Durham, Connecticut

Coordinates: 41°27′37″N 72°40′55″W / 41.46028°N 72.68194°W / 41.46028; -72.68194
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Durham, Connecticut
Town
Town of Durham
View from Pistapaug Mountain
View from Pistapaug Mountain
Official seal of Durham, Connecticut
Seal
Durham's location within Middlesex County and Connecticut
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates: 41°27′37″N 72°40′55″W / 41.46028°N 72.68194°W / 41.46028; -72.68194
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyMiddlesex
RegionLower CT River Valley
Incorporated1708
Government
 • TypeSelectman-town meeting
 • First selectmanBrendan Rea (R)
 • SelectmanRobert Chadd (R)
 • SelectmanThomas Hennick (D)
Area
 • Total
23.8 sq mi (61.6 km2)
 • Land23.6 sq mi (61.1 km2)
 • Water0.2 sq mi (0.4 km2)
Elevation
[1]
161 ft (49 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
7,152
 • Density303.1/sq mi (117.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
06422
Area code(s)860/959
FIPS code09-20810
GNIS feature ID0213419[1]
Websitewww.townofdurhamct.org

Durham (/ˈdɜːrəm/ DURR-əm) is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. Durham is a former farming village on the Coginchaug River in central Connecticut. The town is part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region. The population was 7,152 at the 2020 census.[2] Every autumn, the town hosts the Durham Fair, the largest volunteer agricultural fair in New England.

The Durham town center is listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place. The core of the town center has also been listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.8 square miles (62 km2), of which 23.6 square miles (61 km2) is land and 0.2 square mile (40 ha or 0.67%) is water. The town center CDP has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16 km2), of which 6.3 square miles (16 km2) is land and 0.16% is water.

The west side of Durham is flanked by the Metacomet Ridge, a mountainous trap rock ridgeline that stretches from Long Island Sound to nearly the Vermont border. Notable features of the Metacomet ridge in Durham include Trimountain, Fowler Mountain, Pistapaug Mountain, and the northern tip of Totoket Mountain. The 50-mile (80-kilometer) Mattabesett Trail traverses the ridge. Miller's Pond State Park is located within the town.

History

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Historical marker at the Elias Austin House

Durham was incorporated in 1708.[3] The settlement was named after Durham, England.[4] It took land from Guilford, and Haddam. Durham has one of the first public libraries in the United States. It was founded in 1733, two years after Benjamin Franklin started the Philadelphia library.[5] Moses Austin who, along with his son Stephen F. Austin, began the settlement of Spanish and Mexican Texas by Anglo-Americans, was born in Durham in 1761. In the 1830s Durham came to prominence as the birthplace of Richard P. Robinson, who was tried for and acquitted of the infamous murder of Helen Jewett.[5]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17901,079—
18001,029−4.6%
18101,1017.0%
18201,2109.9%
18301,116−7.8%
18401,095−1.9%
18501,026−6.3%
18601,13010.1%
18701,086−3.9%
1880990−8.8%
1890856−13.5%
19008843.3%
191099712.8%
1920959−3.8%
19301,0448.9%
19401,0985.2%
19501,80464.3%
19603,09671.6%
19704,48945.0%
19805,14314.6%
19905,73211.5%
20006,62715.6%
20107,38811.5%
20207,152−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 6,627 people, 2,277 households, and 1,871 families living in the town. The population density was 280.8 inhabitants per square mile (108.4/km2). There were 2,349 housing units at an average density of 99.5 per square mile (38.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.68% White, 1.15% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.54% of the population.

There were 2,277 households, out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.3% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.8% were non-families. 14.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.0% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $77,639, and the median income for a family was $82,864. Males had a median income of $51,250 versus $38,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,306. About 1.3% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.4% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

Town center

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As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 2,773 people, 1,040 households, and 809 families living in the Durham census-designated place, corresponding to the town center. The population density was 443.1 inhabitants per square mile (171.1/km2). There were 1,078 housing units at an average density of 172.3 per square mile (66.5/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.91% White, 0.47% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.01% of the population.

There were 1,040 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $66,505, and the median income for a family was $72,465. Males had a median income of $47,179 versus $37,500 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,972. About 2.1% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

[edit]

Durham has a selectman-town meeting form of government. The current first selectman is Republican Brendan Rea, who has served since 2023.[8] The other selectmen are Republican Robert Chadd, and Democrat Thomas Hennick

Voter Registration and party enrollment as of October 31, 2024[9]
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Republican 1,700 110 1,810 30.65%
Democratic 1,376 96 1,472 24.92%
Unaffiliated 2,341 203 2,544 43.08%
Minor parties 77 3 80 0.14%
Total 5,494 412 5,906 100%

State politics

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Durham is split between the 12th and 34th state senate districts, as well as the 86th and 101st state house districts. Democrat Christine Cohen represents the 12th senate district, and Republican Paul Cicarella represents the 34th senate district. Vincent Candelora, the state House Minority Leader, represents the 87th state house district, and Democrat John-Michael Parker represents the 101st district. The 12th senate district, from 2015 to 2019, was represented by Edward M. Kennedy Jr. of the Kennedy family.

Durham has voted consistently voted Republican in gubernatorial elections. In the 2018 election, Republican Bob Stefanowski beat Democrat Ned Lamont 57%–37%.[10]

Federal politics

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Durham is part of Connecticut's 3rd congressional district, and is represented by Rosa DeLauro, however parts of it were located in the 2nd district as late as 2010.

Presidential elections

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Durham is a swing town in presidential elections, having voted for the Democratic and Republican candidate five times each in the last ten election cycles.[11]

Presidential Election Results[12][13]
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020 49.4% 2,363 48.7% 2,330 1.9% 89
2016 44.4% 1,898 50.4% 2,156 5.2% 221
2012 48.9% 2,013 49.7% 2,043 1.4% 57
2008 52.6% 2,187 45.5% 1,893 1.9% 79
2004 49.1% 2,021 49.2% 2,026 1.7% 70
2000 50.2% 1,824 42.9% 1,561 6.9% 250
1996 46.1% 1,504 37.1% 1,209 16.8% 547
1992 35.9% 1,252 34.9% 1,215 29.2% 1,017
1988 43.1% 1,268 55.2% 1,622 1.7% 50
1984 34.0% 760 65.5% 1,754 0.5% 13
1980 33.5% 860 49.2% 1,262 17.3% 502
1976 42.0% 1,033 57.2% 1,406 0.7% 19
1972 35.1% 780 63.8% 1,418 1.1% 24
1968 41.0% 680 52.9% 878 6.1% 99
1964 57.9% 904 42.1% 655 0.00% 0
1960 39.3% 578 60.7% 894 0.00% 0
1956 27.2% 302 72.8% 810 0.00% 0

Historic locations in Durham

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1910 street scene with school
Elias Austin House, July 2020

Durham Meadows superfund site

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The Durham Meadows superfund site encompasses an area of town around the abandoned Merriam Manufacturing, and the operational Durham Manufacturing company. Both companies disposed of organic solvents, paint wastes, and degreasers in open lagoons and buried drums. The waste leached into the town's water supply, contaminating several private wells with methylene chloride, 1,4-dioxane, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection are coordinating cleanup and monitoring efforts, including the delivery of free bottled water to affected residents.

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Durham, Connecticut
  2. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Durham town, Middlesex County, Connecticut". Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  3. ^ The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 332.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 111.
  5. ^ a b Cohen, Patricia C. (1999). The Murder of Helen Jewett. Vintage. ISBN 0-679-74075-9. p. 235
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  8. ^ "Election 2007 Returns" (PDF). Town of Durham, Connecticut. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  9. ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 31, 2024" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  10. ^ "Official Results State Election and Referendum November 6, 2018" (PDF). Town of Durham, Connecticut. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  11. ^ "General Elections Statement of Vote 1922".
  12. ^ "General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current". CT Secretary of State. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  13. ^ "Election Night Reporting". CT Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  14. ^ "Elias Austin House (1743)". January 29, 2010.
  15. ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
  • Fowler, Chauncey (1866). History of Durham, Connecticut, From the First Grant of Land in 1662 to 1866. Hartford, Conn.: Hartford, Wiley, Waterman and Eaton.
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