Willington, Connecticut

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Willington, Connecticut
settlement_type = Town


imagesize =
image_caption =
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pushpin_label_position =left
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of Connecticut
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map_caption =


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = NECTA
subdivision_name = Hartford
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = None
subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =
government_type = Selectman-town meeting
leader_title = First selectman
leader_name = Michael Eldredge
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1727
area_land_km2 = 86.2
area_water_km2 = 0.5
area_total_sq_mi = 33.5
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 86.8
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 = 6216
population_density_sq_mi = 187
population_density_km2 = 72
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
area_land_sq_mi = 33.3
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2
elevation_m = 232
elevation_ft = 761
latd = 41 |latm = 53 |lats = 07 |latNS = N
longd = 72 |longm = 15 |longs = 41 |longEW = W
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 06279
region =
website = http://www.willingtonct.org/
area_code = 860
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 09-85950
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0213534
footnotes =

Willington is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 5,959 at the 2000 census.

The Willimantic River borders the town on the west. Willington is about 25 miles northeast of Hartford on Interstate 84, which also provides a connection to Boston, via the Massachusetts Turnpike. Providence, RI is accessible via U.S. Route 44. Larger communities nearby include Coventry, Manchester, Stafford, Tolland, Willimantic, and Sturbridge, Massachusetts. The University of Connecticut is located in adjacent Mansfield. The new public library (formerly located within Hall Memorial middle school) has been completed and opened as of fall 2006.

Willington was incorporated in May, 1727.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.5 square miles (86.7 km²), of which, 33.3 square miles (86.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (0.63%) is water.

History

Willington was the birthplace of Jared Sparks, an American historian, educator, and Unitarian minister. He served as President of Harvard University from 1849 to 1853. A street named in his honor extends from the town green to Moose Meadow Road.

Civic Associations

Willington is home to Troop 82 of the Boy Scouts of America. Troop 82 is a member of the Nipmunk District of the Connecticut Rivers Council.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 5,959 people, 2,353 households, and 1,437 families residing in the town. The population density was 179.1 people per square mile (69.2/km²). There were 2,429 housing units at an average density of 73.0/sq mi (28.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.06% White, 0.97% African American, 0.12% Native American, 3.02% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.81% of the population.

There were 2,353 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 19.4% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,690, and the median income for a family was $70,684. Males had a median income of $41,250 versus $36,310 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,062. About 2.9% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Elementary and middle school-aged residents attend schools in the Willington School District.

All residents are zoned to:
* [http://www.centerschoolct.org/ Center Elementary School] (Kindergarten through 3)
* [http://www.hallmemorialct.org/ Hall Memorial Middle School] (Grades 4 through 8)

High school-aged residents attend E. O. Smith High School of the Regional School District 19.

Prior to the community's affiliation with Regional School District 19, Willington offered its high school-aged students a choice attending one of the four institutions. Numbers varied from year to year, having the undesired effect of breaking up classes and bussing them distances of up to 15 miles. The four available choices as of 1989 were:
* Bolton High School in Bolton, Connecticut
* E. O. Smith High School in Mansfield, Connecticut (Vocational Agriculture Curriculum Only)
* Windham High School in Windham, Connecticut
* Windham Technical High School in Windham, Connecticut.

References

External links

* [http://www.willingtonct.org Willington, Connecticut Official Website]
* [http://www.tourism.state.ct.us/tourism_regions/default.asp?region=mysticcountry Mystic Country: The Eastern Regional Tourism District]