Eastford, Connecticut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eastford, Connecticut
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| Town of Eastford | |||
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 Windham County and Connecticut Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region and Connecticut
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| Country |  United States |
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| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
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| County | Windham | ||
| Region | Northeastern CT | ||
| Incorporated | 1847 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Selectman-town meeting | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 29.2 sq mi (75.6 km2) | ||
| • Land | 28.9 sq mi (74.8 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 653 ft (199 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,649 | ||
| • Density | 56.47/sq mi (21.812/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | ||
| ZIP code |
06242
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| Area code(s) | 860/959 | ||
| FIPS code | 09-21860 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 213420 | ||
| Major highways |  |
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Eastford is a small town located in Windham County, Connecticut, in the United States. It is part of the Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region. In 2020, about 1,649 people lived there.
Contents
Eastford's History
Eastford became its own town in 1847. Before that, it was part of Ashford, Connecticut. The name "Eastford" makes sense because the town is located just east of Ashford.
Geography and Communities
Eastford covers about 29.2 square miles (75.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Main Areas in Eastford
Eastford has a few smaller communities within its borders:
- Phoenixville: This area grew around a twine (string) factory that opened in 1831.
- East Phoenixville
- North Ashford
Historic Places in Eastford
Several buildings and sites in Eastford are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important for their history or architecture.
- Benjamin Bosworth House – added in 1978
- Natchaug Forest Lumber Shed – added in 1986
- Sumner-Carpenter House – added in 1991
- Union Society of Phoenixville House – added in 2007
People and Population
Eastford's population has changed over the years. Here's how many people have lived there during different census counts:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 1,127 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,005 | −10.8% | |
| 1870 | 984 | −2.1% | |
| 1880 | 855 | −13.1% | |
| 1890 | 561 | −34.4% | |
| 1900 | 523 | −6.8% | |
| 1910 | 513 | −1.9% | |
| 1920 | 496 | −3.3% | |
| 1930 | 529 | 6.7% | |
| 1940 | 496 | −6.2% | |
| 1950 | 598 | 20.6% | |
| 1960 | 746 | 24.7% | |
| 1970 | 922 | 23.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,028 | 11.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,314 | 27.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,618 | 23.1% | |
| 2010 | 1,749 | 8.1% | |
| 2020 | 1,649 | −5.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,618 people living in Eastford. The average household had about 2.6 people. The median age was 39 years old. This means half the people were younger than 39, and half were older.
Political Voting Trends
Eastford has a long history of supporting the Republican Party. Since it was founded in 1847, the town has always voted for the Republican candidate in presidential elections. This makes it the only town in Connecticut with such a record.
Even in 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson won by a lot across the country, Eastford still voted for the Republican candidate, Barry Goldwater. However, in more recent elections since 1992, the Democratic candidates have received more votes. For example, in 2012, President Barack Obama lost to Mitt Romney by only one vote!
Here's a look at how Eastford voters have registered for different political parties:
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 27, 2009 | |||||
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| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage | |
| Republican | 391 | 25 | 416 | 34.84% | |
| Democratic | 290 | 9 | 299 | 25.04% | |
| Unaffiliated | 437 | 38 | 475 | 39.78% | |
| Minor Parties | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | |
| Total | 1,121 | 73 | 1,194 | 100% | |
And here are the results from past presidential elections in Eastford:
| Presidential Election Results | |||
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| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
| 2020 | 43.5% 464 | 53.6% 572 | 2.9% 31 |
| 2016 | 38.6% 367 | 54.0% 513 | 7.4% 69 |
| 2012 | 49.0% 464 | 49.1% 465 | 1.9% 18 |
| 2008 | 48.9% 485 | 49.2% 488 | 1.9% 18 |
| 2004 | 44.0% 416 | 54.3% 513 | 1.7% 16 |
| 2000 | 44.3% 375 | 49.7% 421 | 6.0% 50 |
| 1996 | 38.1% 301 | 41.7% 329 | 20.2% 159 |
| 1992 | 32.7% 285 | 39.5% 344 | 27.8% 242 |
| 1988 | 34.9% 253 | 63.8% 463 | 1.3% 9 |
| 1984 | 26.2% 172 | 73.1% 479 | 0.7% 4 |
| 1980 | 29.1% 183 | 55.7% 350 | 15.2% 95 |
| 1976 | 36.0% 204 | 63.4% 359 | 0.6% 3 |
| 1972 | 29.6% 152 | 69.9% 359 | 0.5% 2 |
| 1968 | 24.4% 103 | 72.4% 305 | 3.2% 13 |
| 1964 | 44.4% 188 | 55.6% 236 | 0.00% 0 |
| 1960 | 21.0% 82 | 79.0% 309 | 0.00% 0 |
| 1956 | 15.6% 62 | 84.4% 335 | 0.00% 0 |
Education in Eastford
Students in Eastford go to the Eastford School District for grades from preschool up to 8th grade. The only school in this district is Eastford Elementary School.
For high school, most students attend Woodstock Academy. There are also other high school options nearby, like technical schools and special programs.
Famous People from Eastford
- Andrew T. Judson (1784–1853) – A judge and a member of the U.S. Congress.
- Nathaniel Lyon (1818–1861) – He was the first Union General to die in the American Civil War. He is buried in Eastford.
Fun Facts About Eastford
- There was once another town named Eastford in Connecticut, but it was later renamed East Windsor.
- Eastford is home to Frog Rock, a unique rock formation that looks like a frog. It's a popular stop along U.S. Route 44.
See also
In Spanish: Eastford (Connecticut) para niños
