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Avon, Connecticut

Coordinates: 41°47′40″N 72°51′28″W / 41.79444°N 72.85778°W / 41.79444; -72.85778
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Avon, Connecticut
Town
Avon Congregational Church, built in 1819
Avon Congregational Church, built in 1819
Flag of Avon, Connecticut
Flag
Official seal of Avon, Connecticut
Seal
Avon's location within Hartford County and Connecticut
Avon's location within the Capitol Planning Region and the state of Connecticut
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates: 41°47′40″N 72°51′28″W / 41.79444°N 72.85778°W / 41.79444; -72.85778
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyHartford
RegionCapitol Region
Settled1645
Incorporated1830
VillagesAvon
West Avon
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager
 • Town managerBrandon Robertson
 • Town councilBarbara Ausiello (D)
Erin Barthel (D)
Margaret Bratton (R)
Dan Polhamus (D)
Anthony Weber (D)[1]
Area
 • Total23.5 sq mi (60.9 km2)
 • Land23.1 sq mi (59.9 km2)
 • Water0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2)
Highest elevation
878[2] ft (268 m)
Lowest elevation
146[3] ft (45 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total18,932
 • Density819.6/sq mi (316.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code
06001
Area codes860/959
FIPS code09-02060
GNIS feature ID0213385[4]
U.S. Highways
State Routes
Websitewww.avonct.gov

Avon (/ˈeɪvɑːn/ AY-vahn) is a town in the Farmington Valley region of the Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town had a population of 18,932.[5]

History

[edit]

At the end of the last Ice Age, c.12,400 years BP of the Younger Dryas, nomadic peoples built a campsite adjacent to the river that would become known as the Farmington River. They were apparently the first people to populate the region that would become known as southern New England, including the region that would become Avon. Over the Paleoindian period the site was revisted multiple times by other nomadic peoples until it gradually became buried by sediment from the river's occasional flooding. In the winter of 2019, the campsite remains were excavated in Avon, along with stone tools and artifacts constructed from materials in neighboring regions.[6]

Avon was settled by Europeans in 1645 and was originally a part of neighboring Farmington. In 1750, the parish of Northington was established in the northern part of Farmington, to support a Congregational church more accessible to the local population. Its first pastor was Ebenezer Booge, a graduate of Yale Divinity School who arrived in 1751. The Farmington Canal's opening in 1828 brought new business to the village, which sat where the canal intersected the Talcott Mountain Turnpike linking Hartford to Albany, New York. Hopes of industrial and commercial growth spurred Avon to incorporate. In 1830, the Connecticut General Assembly incorporated Northington as the town of Avon, after County Avon in England. Such expansion never came and, in the 1900s, the rural town became a suburban enclave.

In the 1960s Avon rejected the proposal for Interstate 291 coming through the southern edge of the town and successfully denied the expressway going through the town.

Avon Mountain traffic accidents

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The section of Talcott Mountain, known as Avon Mountain, between Avon and West Hartford, is known for the climb of U.S. Route 44, and the most direct path to Hartford from much of the Farmington Valley and Litchfield County. One of the worst traffic accidents in Connecticut history occurred at the intersection of Route 44 and Route 10 at the foot of Avon Mountain.

On July 29, 2005, the driver of a dump truck lost control of his brakes and swerved to avoid traffic waiting in his lane at the stoplight. On the eastbound side of the road, the truck then collided with rush hour traffic waiting at the light. Four people, including the driver of the truck, died in the crash. Another driver involved in the accident died in 2008 from complications directly as a result of the crash.[7] Former Governor M. Jodi Rell proposed safety improvements for this road in the aftermath of the accident.[8]

In September 2007, the driver of another truck lost control. The truck, traveling westbound on U.S. Route 44 at Route 10, crashed into the Nassau Furniture building at about 11 am, taking out a column that supports the roof of the building. No major injuries resulted from the crash.[9]

The accidents prompted the State of Connecticut to modify Route 44 through the addition of a runaway truck ramp just above the Avon Old Farms Inn and the straightening and widening of the road on the western slope of the mountain. The accidents and the reconstruction of the road have been heavily covered by local media, including the Hartford Courant.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.5 square miles (61 km2), of which 23.1 square miles (60 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) is water.

The East side of Avon is flanked by Talcott Mountain, part of the Metacomet Ridge, a mountainous trap rock ridgeline that stretches from Long Island Sound to near the Vermont border. Talcott Mountain is a popular outdoor recreation resource notable for its towering western cliff faces. The 51-mile (82 km) Metacomet Trail traverses the Talcott Mountain ridge. The Western side of Avon is borders by the Farmington River with Huckleberry and Woodford Hills nearby, both hills are coved in suburban households, with Huckleberry hill having the Huckleberry Hill Recreation Area.[10] Also on Woodford hill there is the Buckingham neighborhood. The center of town lies flatter that both the east and western parts of town, with both the middle and high school's being in this area that West Avon is located in. More to the east is where the Farmington River also cuts through the town, right near the Avon Congregational Church and a large shopping area and Strip Mall's following Route 44 and U.S. Route 202

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18301,025—
18401,001−2.3%
1850995−0.6%
18601,0596.4%
1870987−6.8%
18801,0577.1%
18901,18211.8%
19001,30210.2%
19101,3372.7%
19201,53414.7%
19301,73813.3%
19402,25829.9%
19503,17140.4%
19605,27366.3%
19708,35258.4%
198011,20134.1%
199013,93724.4%
200015,83213.6%
201018,09814.3%
202018,9324.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income

As of the 2020 census, Avon had a population of 18,932.[12] The racial composition of the population was 82.3% White, 13.1% Asian, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.7% from other races and 1.6% from two or more races.[12]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 15,832 people, 6,192 households, and 4,483 families residing in the town. The population density was 684.8 inhabitants per square mile (264.4/km2). There were 6,480 housing units at an average density of 280.3 per square mile (108.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.93% White, 0.98% African American, 0.05% Native American, 2.96% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.57% of the population.

There were 6,192 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. Of all households, 23.5% were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

In 2022, the median household income was $146,153 and the per capita income for the town was $89,357. [14] About 0.9% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

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Top employers

[edit]

Top employers in Avon according to the town's 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report[15]

# Employer # of Employees
1 Town of Avon 726
2 Avon Old Farms School 176
3 Avon Health Center, Inc 161
4 Apple Healthcare Inc 131
5 Legere Group Ltd 131
6 Walmart 131
7 OFS Fitel LLC 130
8 Big Y 114
9 ORAFOL Americas Inc. 110
10 Connecticut Online Computer Center (COCC) 85

Arts and culture

[edit]

Public library

[edit]

The Avon Free Public Library can be traced back to 1791 when Rev. Rufus Hawley started collecting money from residents to purchase books for a community library. In 1798, Samuel Bishop, a prominent citizen, began offering library services within his home with a collection of 111 titles.

The library is a member of Library Connection, Inc., the cooperative regional automated circulation and online catalog database system, CONNECT, to which 45 libraries belong.[16] Through this system, over 4 million volumes are available through interlibrary loan, the statewide reciprocal borrowing arrangement which encompasses over 160 libraries.

Notable locations and organizations

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Derrin House

Properties owned by Avon Historical Society

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Politics

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Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 29, 2019[20]
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Republican 3,967 207 4,174 29.59%
Democratic 4,007 222 4,229 29.98%
Unaffiliated 5,098 441 5,539 39.27%
Minor parties 153 11 164 1.16%
Total 13,225 881 14,106 100%
Presidential Election Results[21][22]
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020 60.9% 7,299 37.3% 4,469 1.8% 219
2016 53.7% 5,675 41.5% 4,390 4.8% 502
2012 46.1% 4,830 52.9% 5,542 1.0% 105
2008 53.5% 5,698 45.6% 4,868 0.9% 100
2004 48.3% 4,925 50.3% 5,141 1.4% 148
2000 45.7% 4,326 50.0% 4,741 4.3% 408
1996 43.5% 3,606 48.3% 4,014 8.2% 685
1992 44.0% 3,983 37.4% 3,390 18.6% 1,680
1988 38.2% 3,117 60.8% 4,966 1.0% 82
1984 30.8% 2,258 69.0% 5,063 0.2% 13
1980 26.8% 1,815 54.8% 3,702 18.4% 1,243
1976 34.6% 1,864 65.0% 3,498 0.4% 23
1972 33.4% 1,585 65.9% 3,131 0.7% 32
1968 37.5% 1,485 58.5% 2,308 4.0% 154
1964 56.2% 1,763 43.8% 1,374 0.00% 0
1960 42.2% 1,185 57.8% 1,621 0.00% 0
1956 29.0% 663 71.0% 1,626 0.00% 0

Once predominantly Republican, Avon has shifted to be friendlier to Democrats in recent elections.[23] In 2008, Avon voters gave Democrat Barack Obama the majority of the vote.[24] After flipping back red for Mitt Romney in 2012, town voters gave a majority to Hillary Clinton in 2016.[25][26] In 2020, Democrat Joe Biden won Avon by more than 20 points.[27] These recent shifts mirrored a national trend of suburban voters shifting leftward.

Education

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Public schools

[edit]

The Avon Public Schools district contains one high school (Avon High School), one middle school (Avon Middle School) for grades 7–8, an intermediate school (Thompson Brook School) for grades 5–6, and two elementary schools (Roaring Brook School and Pine Grove School).[28]

Private schools

[edit]

In addition, the Avon Old Farms School, a private, all-boys boarding school, is also located in Avon on Old Farms Rd.[29]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "Town Council". Official website of Avon, Connecticut. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  2. ^ https://en-us.topographic-map.com/map-8t6/United-States/?center=41.81186%2C-72.79743&zoom=18&popup=41.81134%2C-72.79874
  3. ^ https://en-us.topographic-map.com/map-8t6/United-States/?center=41.75977%2C-72.82491&zoom=16&lock=17%2C42%2C76&popup=41.76253%2C-72.82133
  4. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Avon, Connecticut
  5. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Avon town, Hartford County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  6. ^ "CTDOT ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS ENCOUNTER EARLY NATIVE AMERICAN SITE IN TOWN OF AVON". Connecticut Department of Transportation. Ct.gov. January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  7. ^ Yardley, William; Stowe, Stacey (July 30, 2005). "Dump Truck Plows Through Intersection, Causing 20-Vehicle Accident and Killing 4". The New York Times. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  8. ^ Governor, Office of the. "Governor Rell: Governor Rell Pledges to Build On Road Safety Progress; First Anniversary of Avon Mountain Crash". www.ct.gov. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  9. ^ "Avon Mountain crash all too familiar the Republican-American". Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2007.
  10. ^ https://www.avonct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif151/f/file/file/updated_recreation_facility_map.pdf
  11. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  12. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Avon town, Hartford County, Connecticut". www.census.gov. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Avon town, Capital Planning Region, Connecticut".
  15. ^ "Town of Avon Comprehensive Annual Financial Report For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023" (PDF). Town of Avon. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  16. ^ "Library Connection, Inc". www.libraryconnection.org. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  17. ^ "The Derrin House". Avon Historical Society. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  18. ^ "Living Museum". Avon Historical Society. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  19. ^ "Pine Grove School". Avon Historical Society. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  20. ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 29, 2019" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. October 29, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  21. ^ "General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current". CT Secretary of State. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  22. ^ "Election Night Reporting". CT Secretary of State. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  23. ^ "General Elections Statement of Vote 1922".
  24. ^ Statement of Vote 2008 ct.gov
  25. ^ Statement of Vote 2012 ct.gov
  26. ^ Statement of Vote 2016 ct.gov
  27. ^ Statement of Vote 2020 ct.gov
  28. ^ "Avon Public Schools |". avon.k12.ct.us. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  29. ^ "Best Boarding High School in New England | Avon Old Farms". www.avonoldfarms.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  30. ^ Riley, Lori (August 21, 2010). "McNeill Helps Beat To Victory Over Breakers In Women's Soccer". Hartford Courant. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Avon, Connecticut.
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