Chester, Connecticut
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Chester, Connecticut | |
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| The Old Town Hall The Old Town Hall | |
| Template:Infobox settlement/columns | |
| Coordinates: 41°24′08″N 72°28′57″W / 41.40222°N 72.48250°WCoordinates: 41°24′08″N 72°28′57″W / 41.40222°N 72.48250°W | |
| Country | Template:US |
| U.S. state | Template:Country data Connecticut |
| County | Middlesex |
| Region | Lower CT River Valley |
| Incorporated | 1836 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Selectman-town meeting |
| • First Selectman | Cynthia Lignar (D) |
| • Selectman | Patricia Bandzes (D) |
| • Selectman | Paul Radicchi (R) |
| • State Rep. | Renee LaMark Muir (D-36) |
| • State Senator | Norman Needleman (D-33) |
| Area | |
| • Total | Template:Infobox settlement/areadisp |
| • Land | Template:Infobox settlement/areadisp |
| • Water | Template:Infobox settlement/areadisp |
| Elevation | Template:Infobox settlement/lengthdisp |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 3,749 |
| • Density | Template:Infobox settlement/densdisp |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 06412 |
| Area codes | 860/959 |
| FIPS code | 09-14300 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213407[1] |
| Website | www |
Chester is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region. The population was 3,749 at the 2020 census.[2] The town center is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP). The name is a transfer from Chester, in England.[3]
History
[edit | edit source]The area was home to a Native American (possibly Hammonasset) village named Pattaquonk.[4] Pattaquonk was also the name and approximate location of a 30-acre Wangunk reservation established in 1662 as part of the English acquisition of the land encompassing Haddam and East Haddam, which was home to three Wangunk villages.[5] English settlement of the area began in 1692. The town was formed from the northern quarter of Saybrook and incorporated in 1836.
In 1769, Jonathan Warner was granted permission to operate a ferry across the Connecticut River that became the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, the second-oldest continuously operating ferry service in Connecticut. Its location is currently a state historical landmark.
Geography
[edit | edit source]According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 16.8 square miles (44 km2), of which 16.0 square miles (41 km2) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) (4.75%) is water. The CDP has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) of which 1.46% is water.
Demographics
[edit | edit source]At the 2000 census there were 3,743 people, 1,510 households, and 1,005 families living in the town. The population density was 233.5 inhabitants per square mile (90.2/km2). There were 1,613 housing units at an average density of 100.6 per square mile (38.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.79% White, 0.85% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.71%.[6]
Of the 1,510 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 28.1% of households were one person, and 13.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93.
The age distribution was 22.3% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males.
The median household income was $65,156 and the median family income was $79,941. Males had a median income of $45,515 versus $40,444 for females. The per capita income for the town was $32,191. None of the families and 1.3% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 2.6% of those over 64.
CDP
[edit | edit source]At the 2000 census, there were 1,546 people, 632 households, and 401 families living in the Chester Center CDP. The population density was 762.1 inhabitants per square mile (294.2 inhabitants/km2). There were 669 housing units at an average density of 329.8 per square mile (127.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.31% White, 1.29% African American, 0.06% Native American, 1.36% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.
Of the 632 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 30.5% of households were one person, and 10.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.
The age distribution was 21.9% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.
The median household income was $64,236 and the median family income was $71,250. Males had a median income of $38,900 versus $46,354 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $32,087. None of the families and 0.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.
| Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 31, 2024[7] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active voters | Inactive voters | Total voters | Percentage | |
| Template:Party color cell | Democratic | 1,162 | 81 | 1,243 | 39.37% |
| Template:Party color cell | Republican | 565 | 37 | 602 | 19.07% |
| Template:Party color cell | Unaffiliated | 1,139 | 129 | 1,268 | 40.16% |
| Template:Party color cell | Minor parties | 38 | 6 | 44 | 1.39% |
| Total | 2,904 | 253 | 3,157 | 100% | |
| Presidential election results[8][9] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third parties |
| 2024 | 64.6% 1,666 | 33.6% 866 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.8% 47 |
| 2020 | 65.5% 1,701 | 32.9% 853 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.6% 42 |
| 2016 | 60.2% 1,365 | 34.4% 781 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|5.4% 123 |
| 2012 | 65.4% 1,380 | 33.5% 707 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.1% 22 |
| 2008 | 67.5% 1,527 | 31.4% 710 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.1% 25 |
| 2004 | 62.1% 1,375 | 35.9% 796 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|2.0% 43 |
| 2000 | 58.7% 1,207 | 34.1% 701 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|7.2% 149 |
| 1996 | 56.9% 1,089 | 28.0% 536 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|15.1% 289 |
| 1992 | 45.1% 924 | 26.0% 533 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|28.9% 593 |
| 1988 | 48.6% 821 | 49.6% 838 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.8% 31 |
| 1984 | 38.4% 637 | 61.1% 1,015 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.5% 8 |
| 1980 | 37.3% 578 | 47.0% 729 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|15.7% 244 |
| 1976 | 45.4% 671 | 54.2% 800 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.4% 6 |
| 1972 | 36.8% 552 | 62.1% 931 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.1% 17 |
| 1968 | 44.3% 549 | 51.5% 638 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|4.2% 53 |
| 1964 | 64.1% 802 | 35.9% 450 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0 |
| 1960 | 41.9% 544 | 58.1% 754 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0 |
| 1956 | 33.4% 413 | 66.6% 825 | align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0 |
Education
[edit | edit source]Chester, like the other two towns in the "tri-town area" (Essex and Deep River), is a member of Regional School District #4. John Winthrop Junior High School is on Warsaw Street in Deep River, and Valley Regional High School, is on Kelsey Hill in Deep River. They serve students in grades 7–8 and 9–12, respectively. Each town in the area also has their own elementary school, serving grades K–6.
Media
[edit | edit source]The 1959 film It Happened to Jane, starring Doris Day and Jack Lemmon, was filmed in Chester. Portions of the 1971 horror film Let's Scare Jessica to Death were filmed in Chester, including the Chester–Hadlyme Ferry.
Points of interest
[edit | edit source]- The Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek synagogue is noted for the architecture of its "spectacular" building.[10]
- Goodspeed-at-Chester, Goodspeed Musicals' second theatre
- The Chester Museum at the Mill, a museum of the Chester Historical Society
- The Chester–Hadlyme Ferry is the second oldest continuously operating ferry service in the state of Connecticut and is a designated state historical landmark.
- Camp Hazen YMCA
On the National Register of Historic Places
[edit | edit source]- Charles Daniels House – 43 Liberty Street (added March 19, 1988)
- Dr. Ambrose Pratt House – Pratt Street (added December 9, 1972)
- Jonathan Warner House – 47 Kings Highway (added 1978)
- Old Town Hall – on the green between Liberty Street and Goose Hill Road (added March 23, 1972)
- Villa Bella Vista – 7 Old Depot Road (added 2000)
Duck Race
[edit | edit source]The town holds a rubber duck race annually to fundraise for local charities.[11][12] The tradition has been ongoing for 11 years as of 2025; the race for that year was called the "Conn-Ducky Derby", a pun on "Kentucky Derby" (which happened on the same day).[12]
Industry
[edit | edit source]The Whelen Engineering Corporation,[13] a major designer and distributor of public service warning equipment (warning lights, sirens, etc.) in North America, is headquartered in Chester.
Transportation
[edit | edit source]Air
[edit | edit source]The Chester Airport is a local facility with one paved runway. It is privately owned by Whelen Aviation.
Ground
[edit | edit source]The Estuary Transit District provides public transportation throughout Chester and the surrounding towns through its 9 Town Transit Service. Services include connections to the Old Saybrook Train Station, served by Amtrak and Shoreline East railroads.
Notable people
[edit | edit source]- Constance Baker Motley (1921–2005), civil rights leader
- Art Carney (1918–2003), actor; resident, died in town
- Paul Hopkins (1904–2004), major league relief pitcher; born in town
- Sol LeWitt (1928–2007), artist
- Michael P. Price (born 1938), theatre producer and artistic director
- Morley Safer (1931–2016), CBS news correspondent and anchor on 60 Minutes[14]
- Max Showalter (1917–2000), film and television actor; retired to Chester
- Washington F. Willcox (1834–1909), US Congressman; resident
Pictures of Chester
[edit | edit source]-
Chester High School, c. 1906–1916
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Oldest house in Chester, built 1649 (picture c. 1906–1916)
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Old Stone Store, c. 1901–1907
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Main Street, looking east, c. 1901–1907
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Template:GNIS
- ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Chester town, Middlesex County, Connecticut". Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ↑ The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 331.
- ↑ "Indigenous Communities of Connecticut - TeachIt | Connecticut History In The Classroom". TeachIt | Connecticut History In The Classroom -. December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ↑ Field, David Dudley (1814). A History of the Towns of Haddam and East-Haddam. Loomis and Richards. pp. 3–8. ISBN 9781016139618.
- ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ↑ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 31, 2024" (PDF). CT.Gov. Connecticut Secretary of the State. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ↑ "General Elections Statement of Vote 1922". CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- ↑ "Public Reporting". ctemspublic.pcctg.net. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- ↑ Columbia Daily Spectator, April 10, 2007, Small-town Artist With a Big-time Legacy by Ginia Sweeney "Small-town Artist with a Big-time Legacy". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
- ↑ "The Chester Duck Race 2025 | Chester.com". chester.com. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Himelrick, Ronan (May 3, 2025). "Neighbors gather for 'ConnDucky Derby' in Chester". Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ↑ Whelen Engineering Corporation
- ↑ Maker, Elizabeth, "Suddenly, Balls in Every Court", The New York Times, June 1, 2003, retrieved January 27, 2010
External links
[edit | edit source]- Town of Chester official website
- Chester Historical Society
- Visit-Chester.com
- Town of Chester GIS maps and property information
Template:Connecticut Template:Middlesex County, Connecticut Template:Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut Template:Greater Hartford Template:Connecticut River
- Use American English from June 2025
- Use mdy dates from April 2024
- Coordinates not on Wikidata
- Pages using infobox settlement with unknown parameters
- Pages using infobox settlement with no map
- Chester, Connecticut
- Towns in Middlesex County, Connecticut
- Connecticut populated places on the Connecticut River
- Towns in Connecticut
- Greater Hartford
- 1836 establishments in Connecticut
- Towns in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut