Avon, Connecticut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Avon, Connecticut
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Avon Congregational Church, built in 1819
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 Hartford County and Connecticut Capitol Planning Region and Connecticut |
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| Country |  United States |
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| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
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| Region | Capitol Region | ||
| County | Hartford | ||
| Settled | 1645 | ||
| Incorporated | 1830 | ||
| Villages | Avon West Avon |
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| Government | |||
| • Type | Council-manager | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 23.5 sq mi (60.9 km2) | ||
| • Land | 23.1 sq mi (59.9 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2) | ||
| Highest elevation | 878 ft (268 m) | ||
| Lowest elevation | 146 ft (45 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 19,795 | ||
| • Density | 842.3/sq mi (325.04/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) | ||
| ZIP Code |
06001
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| Area codes | 860/959 | ||
| FIPS code | 09-02060 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0213385 | ||
| U.S. Highways |   |
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| State Routes |    |
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Avon (pronounced AY-vahn) is a town in the Farmington Valley area of Connecticut, United States. It's part of the Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut. In 2020, about 19,795 people lived in Avon.
Contents
History of Avon, Connecticut
Early Settlers and Native History
Long ago, around 12,400 years ago, during the end of the last Ice Age, groups of people who moved from place to place (called nomadic peoples) set up camps near the Farmington River. These were some of the first people to live in what is now southern New England, including the area that became Avon. They visited this spot many times over thousands of years.
In 2019, scientists found remains of these old campsites in Avon. They also found stone tools and other items made from materials found in nearby areas.
Becoming a Town
Europeans first settled in Avon in 1645. At first, it was part of the nearby town of Farmington. In 1750, a new church area called Northington was created in the northern part of Farmington. This made it easier for local people to go to church.
A big change happened in 1828 when the Farmington Canal opened. This canal brought new businesses to the village. Avon was located where the canal met a main road connecting Hartford to Albany, New York. People hoped this would lead to lots of new industries and businesses.
Because of these hopes, Northington officially became the town of Avon in 1830. It was named after County Avon in England. However, the big growth people expected didn't really happen. By the 1900s, Avon became a quiet, rural town that later grew into a suburban area.
Modern Developments
In the 1960s, Avon decided not to have a major highway, Interstate 291, built through its southern edge. The town successfully stopped the expressway from coming through.
U.S. Route 44 goes through a part of Talcott Mountain called Avon Mountain. This road is between Avon and West Hartford. There have been some car accidents on this part of Route 44, so the state made changes to make it safer.
Geography of Avon, Connecticut
Land and Water
Avon covers about 23.5 square miles (60.9 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 23.1 square miles (59.9 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.4 square miles (1.0 square kilometer), is water.
Mountains and Rivers
On the east side of Avon, you'll find Talcott Mountain. This mountain is part of the Metacomet Ridge, which is a long line of rocky hills stretching across Connecticut. Talcott Mountain is a great place for outdoor activities because of its tall cliffs. The Metacomet Trail, which is 51 miles long, runs along the top of Talcott Mountain.
The Farmington River forms the western border of Avon. Nearby are Huckleberry and Woodford Hills, which have many homes. Huckleberry Hill also has a recreation area. The center of town is flatter than the eastern and western parts. This is where the middle and high schools are located. The Farmington River also flows through the eastern part of town, near the Avon Congregational Church and a large shopping area along Route 44 and U.S. Route 202.
Population of Avon, Connecticut
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 1,025 | — | |
| 1840 | 1,001 | −2.3% | |
| 1850 | 995 | −0.6% | |
| 1860 | 1,059 | 6.4% | |
| 1870 | 987 | −6.8% | |
| 1880 | 1,057 | 7.1% | |
| 1890 | 1,182 | 11.8% | |
| 1900 | 1,302 | 10.2% | |
| 1910 | 1,337 | 2.7% | |
| 1920 | 1,534 | 14.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,738 | 13.3% | |
| 1940 | 2,258 | 29.9% | |
| 1950 | 3,171 | 40.4% | |
| 1960 | 5,273 | 66.3% | |
| 1970 | 8,352 | 58.4% | |
| 1980 | 11,201 | 34.1% | |
| 1990 | 13,937 | 24.4% | |
| 2000 | 15,832 | 13.6% | |
| 2010 | 18,098 | 14.3% | |
| 2020 | 18,932 | 4.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, the population of Avon was 18,932 people. Most residents were White (82.3%), followed by Asian (13.1%). About 4.9% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Economy in Avon, Connecticut
Top Employers in Avon
Here are some of the biggest employers in Avon, based on a 2023 report:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
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| 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 in Avon, Connecticut
Public Library
The Avon Free Public Library started in 1791. In 1798, a local person offered library services from their home, with a collection of 111 books. The library is part of a system called Library Connection, Incorporated, which helps libraries share books and online catalogs.
Notable Places and Groups
- Avon Congregational Church (built in 1819): This church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Fermata Arts Foundation: A cultural center that helps build connections with countries from the former Soviet Union.
- Pine Grove School House: A building that used to be a school.
Parks and Recreation in Avon, Connecticut
- The Farmington Canal Heritage Trail is a popular path that runs through the town.
- Horse Guard State Park: This park is home to the oldest active mounted cavalry unit (soldiers on horseback) in the United States, founded in 1788.
Education in Avon, Connecticut
Public Schools
The Avon Public Schools district has several schools:
- Avon High School (for older students)
- Avon Middle School (for grades 7–8)
- Thompson Brook School (for grades 5–6)
- Two elementary schools: Roaring Brook School and Pine Grove School
Private Schools
Avon Old Farms School is a private boarding school for boys. It is also located in Avon on Old Farms Road.
Notable People from Avon, Connecticut
- Joseph Wright Alsop IV: A politician and insurance executive.
- Craig Burley: A former soccer player and sports commentator.
- Will Friedle: An actor.
- Mike Golic: A radio announcer for ESPN.
- Madison Kennedy: A swimmer.
- Jessica Lundy: An actor.
- Kia McNeill: A professional soccer player.
- Joel Quenneville: A former NHL player and coach.
- Karl Ravech: Host of Baseball Tonight.
- Stuart Scott: An ESPN reporter who covered the NBA and other sports.
- Trey Wingo: An ESPN personality.
- Wilford Woodruff: The Fourth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
See also
In Spanish: Avon (Connecticut) para niños
