Berlin, Connecticut

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Berlin, Connecticut
|pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =left
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of Connecticut
pushpin_mapsize =

|mapsize =
map_caption =


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = NECTA
subdivision_name = Hartford
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = Central Connecticut
settlement_type = Town


imagesize =
image_caption =
image_

subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =
government_type = Council-manager
leader_title1 = Town Manager
leader_name1 = Roger L. Kemp
leader_title2 = Assistant Town Manager
leader_name2 = Tammi Saddler
leader_title3 = Town council
leader_name3 = Adam P. Salina, Mayor
Paul C. Argazzi
Linda Zarotney Cimadon
Robert J. Dacey
Edward C. Egazarian
Stephen M. Morelli
William J. Watson, III.
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1785
area_land_km2 = 68.5
area_water_km2 = 1.5
area_total_sq_mi = 27.0
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 69.9
population_as_of = 2005
population_footnotes = [ [http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005_9.csv U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates] ]
population_total = 19,590
population_density_sq_mi = 739
population_density_km2 = 285
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
area_land_sq_mi = 26.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0.6
elevation_m = 32
elevation_ft = 105
latd = 41 |latm = 36 |lats = 50 |latNS = N
longd = 72 |longm = 46 |longs = 21 |longEW = W
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 06023, 06037
region =
website = [http://www.town.berlin.ct.us/ Berlin]
area_code = 860
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 09-04300
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0213388
footnotes =

Berlin is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 18,215 at the 2000 census. It is home to the geographic center of Connecticut. It was incorporated in 1785. Berlin is residential and industrial, and served by the Amtrak station of the same name. Berlin includes the hamlets of Kensington, South Kensington, and East Berlin. There are 3 elementary schools, Mary E. Griswold School, Emma Hart Willard School, and Richard D. Hubbard School, as well as Catherine M. McGee Middle School, and Berlin High School.

Town Seal

The greatest boom to Berlin industry resulted from the decision of the Patterson brothers to start their business on West Street (now called Lower Lane). For twenty years until 1760, they kept their work in the family selling their wares from a basket. When demand increased they took apprentices into the shop and engaged peddlers to travel throughout the Colonies selling the shiny, useful articles.

The Town Seal was adopted from this "The Yankee Peddler" outfitted in his revolutionary dress with a basket under his arm, a pack on his back full of tin ware. As others learned the trade, they soon set up shop and hired apprentices. There were so many that the noise of the white smiths and their banging could be heard in every part of town.

History

Berlin is one of the birthplaces of interchangeable parts manufacturing and of the industrial revolution in the United States, in the workshop of Simeon North.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.0 square miles (70.0 km²), of which, 26.5 square miles (68.5 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.5 km²) of it (2.18%) is water. Berlin is also the geographical direct center of the state of Connecticut.

The west side of Berlin is flanked by the Metacomet Ridge, a mountainous traprock ridgeline that stretches from Long Island Sound to nearly the Vermont border. Notable mountains of the Metacomet ridge in Berlin include the Hanging Hills, Lamentation Mountain, Short Mountain, and Ragged Mountain. The 51 mile Metacomet Trail and the 50 mile Mattabesett Trail traverse the ridge.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 18,215 people, 6,792 households, and 5,155 families residing in the town. The population density was 688.6 people per square mile (265.9/km²). There were 6,955 housing units at an average density of 262.9/sq mi (101.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.03% White, 0.36% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.65% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47% of the population.

There were 6,792 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.5% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $68,068, and the median income for a family was $76,756. Males had a median income of $49,714 versus $34,832 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,744. About 1.4% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Historical Population

*1790 - 2,465
*1800 - 2,702
*1810 - 2,798
*1820 - 2,877
*1830 - 3,037
*1840 - 3,411
*1850 - 1,869 *New Britain, Connecticut separated from Berlin
*1860 - 2,146
*1870 - 2,436
*1880 - 2,385
*1890 - 2,600
*1900 - 3,448
*1910 - 3,728
*1920 - 4,298
*1930 - 4,875
*1940 - 5,230
*1950 - 7,470
*1960 - 11,250
*1970 - 14,149
*1980 - 15,121
*1990 - 16,787
*2000 - 18,215
*2002 - 19,116 (estimate)Sources: [http://www.sots.state.ct.us/RegisterManual/regman.htm Interactive Connecticut State Register & Manual] and [http://eire.census.gov/popest/data/cities.php U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division]

Pronunciation

During World War I, the people of Berlin, Connecticut changed the pronunciation of their town name from Ber-LIN, like the German capital, to BER-lin.

References

External links

* [http://www.town.berlin.ct.us/ Berlin Home Page]
* [http://www.enjoycentralct.com/index.cfm Central Regional Tourism District]