kids encyclopedia robot

Canaan, Connecticut facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Canaan, Connecticut
Official seal of Canaan, Connecticut
Seal
Location in Litchfield County, Connecticut
Location in Litchfield County, Connecticut
Country  United States
U.S. state  Connecticut
County Litchfield
Region Northwest Hills
Incorporated 1739
Government
 • Type Selectman-town meeting
Area
 • Total 33.24 sq mi (86.08 km2)
 • Land 32.91 sq mi (85.24 km2)
 • Water 0.32 sq mi (0.84 km2)
Elevation
656 ft (200 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,080
 • Density 32.50/sq mi (12.55/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
06031
Area code(s) 860 Exchange: 824
FIPS code 09-10940
GNIS feature ID 0213402

Canaan is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,080 at the 2020 census, down from 1,234 at the 2010 census. The town of Canaan is often referred to locally by the name of its principal settlement, Falls Village.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.3 square miles (86.2 km²), of which 33.0 square miles (85.3 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.9 km²) (0.99%) is water.

History

American Revolutionary War soldier and historian Lemuel Roberts was born in Canaan in 1755.

Principal communities

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 2,332
1850 2,627
1860 1,408 −46.4%
1870 1,257 −10.7%
1880 1,157 −8.0%
1890 970 −16.2%
1900 820 −15.5%
1910 702 −14.4%
1920 561 −20.1%
1930 565 0.7%
1940 555 −1.8%
1950 708 27.6%
1960 790 11.6%
1970 931 17.8%
1980 1,002 7.6%
1990 1,057 5.5%
2000 1,081 2.3%
2010 1,234 14.2%
2020 1,080 −12.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,081 people, 445 households, and 298 families residing in the town. The population density was 32.8 people per square mile (12.7/km2). There were 610 housing units at an average density of 18.5 per square mile (7.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.04% White, 1.48% Black or African American, 0.19% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.37% of the population.

There were 445 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $54,688, and the median income for a family was $62,500. Males had a median income of $40,438 versus $29,219 for females. The per capita income for the town was $35,841. About 3.0% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 29, 2019
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Republican 150 26 176 21.86%
Democratic 297 20 317 39.38%
Unaffiliated 258 50 308 38.26%
Minor Parties 4 0 4 0.50%
Total 709 96 805 100%
Presidential Election Results
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020 66.7% 437 31.9% 209 1.4% 9
2016 60.3% 357 34.3% 203 5.4% 32
2012 63.4% 384 34.7% 210 1.9% 12
2008 67.7% 429 29.8% 189 2.5% 16
2004 61.1% 378 35.4% 219 3.5% 22
2000 49.1% 288 35.9% 211 15.0% 88
1996 50.8% 302 30.3% 180 18.9% 112
1992 41.2% 237 33.4% 192 25.4% 146
1988 46.3% 241 52.6% 274 1.1% 6
1984 28.2% 151 71.0% 380 0.8% 4
1980 30.4% 153 54.6% 275 15.0% 76
1976 36.4% 170 61.2% 289 2.4% 8
1972 28.8% 146 70.6% 358 0.6% 3
1968 32.4% 140 64.4% 278 3.2% 14
1964 47.1% 202 52.9% 227 0.00% 0
1960 20.7% 89 79.3% 341 0.00% 0
1956 16.4% 68 83.6% 346 0.00% 0

Transportation

The town is served by U.S. Route 7, Route 63, and Route 126. US 7 leads north into Massachusetts and south to Danbury, while Route 63 leads southeast to Litchfield. Route 126 is a local road that passes through the center of Falls Village and runs north along the Housatonic River.

Pictures


Education

Canaan is a member of Regional School District 1, which also includes the towns of Cornwall, Kent, North Canaan, Salisbury, and Sharon. Public school students attend Lee H. Kellogg School for grades K-8, and Housatonic Valley Regional High School for grades 9-12.

Notable people

  • Philo Belden, Wisconsin politician
  • Steve Blass, former Major League Baseball pitcher and current broadcaster
  • Major Felten, artist and illustrator
  • James Mars, slave narrative author
  • Judson Philips, author of mystery novels
  • Cyrus Prindle, abolitionist and one of the founders of the Wesleyan Church
  • Lemuel Roberts, Revolutionary War soldier and historian, born in Canaan in 1755
  • Catherine Roraback, civil rights attorney
  • Bates Turner, Vermont politician and jurist
  • Elizur Wright, the "father of life insurance"

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Canaan (Connecticut) para niños

kids search engine
Canaan, Connecticut Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.