Hamden is a town located in New Haven County, Connecticut. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 56,913.

Hamden is home to Quinnipiac University.

History

Hamden was originally settled by Puritans as part of the town of New Haven. The land was purchased by Theophilus Eaton and Reverend John Davenport in 1638 from the local Quinnipiack Native American tribe. It remained a part of New Haven until 1786 when local residents incorporated themselves as a separate town. It is named after the English statesman John Hampden.

Hamden was largely developed as a nodal collection of village-like settlements. These include Mount Carmel , Whitneyville , and Highwood . It has a long-standing industrial history having been the site of many workshops of Eli Whitney, as well as Charles Goodyear. The major thoroughfare through town, Route 10, has been named Whitney Avenue in Eli Whitney's honor, and it runs past Whitney's old factory, now the Eli Whitney Museum , at the border with New Haven where a waterfall provided a good source of power.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Hamden received a steady influx of immigrants, most notably from Italy and Ireland. To this day, Hamden is an essential part of New Haven's Italian-American community.

In the post-war period, Hamden underwent significant suburban development. Much of the southern section of town is urbanized and is difficult to distinguish from neighboring New Haven. The northern section of town, however, retains a rural character, and has the distinct neighborhood of Mount Carmel. This area of town is the location of the unique Sleeping Giant hill formation. The town's nickname is "The Land of the Sleeping Giant".

Hamden currently has eight public elementary schools, these are:

• West Woods,
• Church Street,
• Spring Glen,
• Shepard Glen,
• Ridge Hill,
• Dunbar Hill,
• Bear Path and,
• Helen Street,

as well as one public Hamden Middle School, and one public Hamden High School.

Hamden is also home to the private Hamden Hall Country Day School.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 86.3 km² (33.3 mi²). 84.9 km² (32.8 mi²) of it is land and 1.4 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.62% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 56,913 people, 22,408 households, and 14,027 families residing in the town. The population density is 670.4/km² (1,736.1/mi²). There are 23,464 housing units at an average density of 276.4/km² (715.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 77.30% White, 15.53% African American, 0.13% Native American, 3.53% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.61% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. 4.26% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 22,408 households out of which 26.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% are married couples living together, 11.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% are non-families. 31.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.35 and the average family size is 2.98.

In the town the population is spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 84.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 80.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $52,351, and the median income for a family is $65,301. Males have a median income of $45,909 versus $35,941 for females. The per capita income for the town is $26,039. 7.8% of the population and 4.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.4% of those under the age of 18 and 7.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External link

Town of Hamden official Web site