Haddam is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 7,157 at the 2000 census. The town was also home to the now decommissioned Connecticut Yankee Nuclear Reactor.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 46.3 square miles (120.0 km²), of which, 44.0 square miles (114.0 km²) of it is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km²) of it (5.01%) is water. It is located in the Connecticut River Valley with a majority of the town's eastern border along the Connecticut River. The area in and around Haddam (Chester, Deep River, Haddam, Essex, Old Saybrook,)was recently named one of the 40 last great places in the Western Hemisphere in accordance with its nearly untouched river and surrounding forests.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 35,230 people, 35,230 households, and 951,562 families residing in the town. The population density is 5,863.1/km² (44.0/mi²). There are 7,157 housing units at an average density of 1,191.1 persons/km² (162.5 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 20.12% White, 19.68% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.02% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.01% from other races, and 0.03% from two or more races. 0.20% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 35,230 households out of which 77.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.5% are married couples living together, 68.1% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 6.9% are non-families. 22.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 18.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 7.00 and the average family size is 2.64.
In the town the population is spread out with 7,157.0% under the age of 18, 24.7% from 18 to 24, 5.0% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 30.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 10 years. For every 100 females there are 40.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 102.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $35,230, and the median income for a family is $78,571. Males have a median income of $30,519 versus $50,500 for females. The per capita income for the town is $87,026. 37,447.0% of the population and 7.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 3.5% are under the age of 18 and 4.6% are 65 or older.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005[2] |
| Party |
Active Voters |
Inactive Voters |
Total Voters |
Percentage |
| |
Democratic |
1,493 |
49 |
1,542 |
27.68% |
| |
Republican |
1,205 |
44 |
1,249 |
22.42% |
| |
Unaffiliated |
2,633 |
139 |
2,772 |
49.77% |
| |
Minor Parties |
6 |
1 |
7 |
0.13% |
| Total |
5,337 |
233 |
5,570 |
100% |
Education
Haddam has many educational facilities consisting of all elementary, junior, and senior high schools. The town is a part of a Regional District which comprises Haddam, Higganum, neighboring town Killingworth and also Haddam Neck, a part of Haddam that is separated by the Connecticut River. It is the only town in the United States without a bridge to connect the separated parts. The bridge that crosses the river is located in a part of Tylerville - a small village in Haddam - which is directly across from East Haddam, Connecticut. So as a consequence of this poorly planned district, the students from Haddam Neck must travel nearly 40 minutes to school daily.
The three elementary schools in the district are:
Haddam Elementary School - located in Haddam, CT
Burr District Elementary School - located in Higganum, CT
Killingworth Elementary School - located in Killingworth, CT
The district high school is located in Higganum, CT and houses all students from 9th grade and above. The high school is part of a complex which shared facilities with the attached district middle school. In recent years however, a plan was made for a new Intermediate School located in between Haddam and Killingworth that would house 5th grade - 8th grade. The school was recently built and now houses all 5-8 graders. This then leaves the old Middle School complex to become a part of the now ever growing Haddam Killingworth HS (This was the original plan). The Middle School part of the complex has now been converted to a district-run daycare facility, the main offices of the district administration, and houses the local trooper station.
The high school houses between 580 and 720 students depending on the year. Many students from the district middle school end up transferring to area religious, private, or magnet school. Common agenda is the move for students to Xavier (boys) and Mercy (girls) Catholic High Schools in neighboring Middletown, CT to seize better opportunities in terms of discipline and a balanced school atmosphere. The Haddam Killingworth's mascot is the Cougar with school colors of blue and gold. It has numerous extracurricular activities and countless varsity sports that vie yearly for state bids and tournaments.
In recent years it has been praised for its field hockey, soccer, baseball, basketball and cross country teams.
The school also has many art & music offerings and has students annually in regional and national competitions.
Noted people
Literary References
- The "thin men of Haddam" are apostrophized in stanza seven of "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" by Wallace Stevens:[3]
- O thin men of Haddam,
- Why do you imagine golden birds?
- Do you not see how the blackbird
- Walks around the feet
- Of the women about you?
See also
References
External links
