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Thomaston, Connecticut

Thomaston is a town located in Litchfield County, Connecticut. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 7,503.

Table of contents
1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 31.7 km² (12.2 mi²). 31.1 km² (12.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.80% water.

The town is located at the confluence of the Naugatuck River, Northfield Brook and Black Rock Brook, and is protected by Army Corp of Engineer flood control dams on each of these watercourses. There were all constructed in the years immediately following the devastating flood of 1955 which ravaged the town as well as the state in general.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 7,503 people, 2,916 households, and 2,067 families residing in the town. The population density is 241.2/km² (624.7/mi²). There are 3,014 housing units at an average density of 96.9/km² (251.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.85% White, 0.60% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 1.45% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,916 households out of which 34.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% are married couples living together, 9.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% are non-families. 24.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.57 and the average family size is 3.07.

In the town the population is spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $54,297, and the median income for a family is $63,682. Males have a median income of $40,795 versus $31,744 for females. The per capita income for the town is $24,799. 4.2% of the population and 3.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 5.8% are under the age of 18 and 4.5% are 65 or older.

History

The town, originally part of Plymouth, Connecticut, and referred to as 'Plymouth Hollow' was first settled in the early 1700's. It was incorporated in its own right and under the name 'Thomaston' in 1875. The name derives from Seth Thomas, the early clockmaker, who established a factory in town. The Seth Thomas clock factory building still exists, however the clock making industry has long since left the area.