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Goshen, Connecticut
Town
Town of Goshen
Goshen Academy building
Goshen Academy building
Official seal of Goshen, Connecticut
Seal
Goshen's location within Litchfield County and Connecticut Litchfield County and Connecticut
Country  United States
U.S. state  Connecticut
County Litchfield
Region Northwest Hills
Incorporated 1739
Government
 • Type Selectman-town meeting
Area
 • Total 45.2 sq mi (117.0 km2)
 • Land 43.6 sq mi (113.0 km2)
 • Water 1.5 sq mi (4.0 km2)
Elevation
1,319 ft (402 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 3,150
 • Density 69.73/sq mi (26.92/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
06756
Area code(s) 860/959
FIPS code 09-32290
GNIS feature ID 0213433

Goshen is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,150 at the 2020 census. The town is part of the Northwest Hills Planning Region.

Geography

Goshen is in central Litchfield County and is bordered to the east by the city of Torrington. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Goshen has a total area of 45.2 square miles (117.0 km2), of which 43.6 square miles (113.0 km2) are land and 1.5 square miles (4.0 km2), or 3.44%, are water. A large portion of the Mohawk State Forest is located in the town. The Appalachian Trail formerly passed through the town until it was re-routed west of the Housatonic River.

Principal communities

Other minor communities and geographic areas in the town are Hall Meadow, North Goshen, Tyler Lake, West Side, and Woodridge Lake. Woodridge Lake is private. It is only available to residents (it is not a gated community). They have access to the clubhouse, and all of the lake's beaches.

History

The town was incorporated in 1739, one year after settlement of the town center began. The community was named after the Land of Goshen, in Ancient Egypt. The Congregational church was founded the following year. During the 18th century, Goshen was a farming, and later, prosperous business community. Gunmakers from the town such as the Medad Hills manufactured guns during the French and Indian War and Revolutionary War. Other notable business include the Pine Apple Cheese Factory and the Brooks pottery shop.

The first school in Goshen was built in 1753. A seminary for young women was established in 1819. The Goshen Academy was established several years later and became a well-regarded preparatory school during the 19th century.

Settlers from Goshen were the first to settle Hudson Township, Summit County, Ohio, in the Connecticut Western Reserve.

Notable locations

Historic sites in the town include:

Transportation

Connecticut Route 4 is the principal east–west through route in the town, while Connecticut Route 63 serves as the main north–south road. Route 4 leads east into Torrington and west into Cornwall, while Route 63 leads northwest to South Canaan and southeast to Litchfield.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1820 1,585 —
1850 1,457 —
1860 1,381 −5.2%
1870 1,223 −11.4%
1880 1,093 −10.6%
1890 972 −11.1%
1900 835 −14.1%
1910 675 −19.2%
1920 675 0.0%
1930 683 1.2%
1940 778 13.9%
1950 940 20.8%
1960 1,288 37.0%
1970 1,351 4.9%
1980 1,706 26.3%
1990 2,329 36.5%
2000 2,697 15.8%
2010 2,976 10.3%
2020 3,150 5.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,697 people, 1,066 households, and 814 families residing in the town. The population density was 61.8 inhabitants per square mile (23.9/km2). There were 1,482 housing units at an average density of 33.9 per square mile (13.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.26% White, 0.48% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.74% Asian, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.

There were 1,066 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 31.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $64,432, and the median income for a family was $72,452. Males had a median income of $48,125 versus $30,464 for females. The per capita income for the town was $33,925. About 2.9% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 25, 2005
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Republican 745 16 761 37.29%
Democratic 413 6 419 20.53%
Unaffiliated 827 33 860 42.14%
Minor Parties 1 0 1 0.05%
Total 1,986 55 2,041 100%
Presidential Election Results
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020 43.0% 902 55.3% 1,161 1.7% 37
2016 36.9% 673 58.4% 1,064 4.7% 86
2012 42.0% 751 56.9% 1,017 1.1% 19
2008 47.4% 856 51.3% 927 1.3% 24
2004 42.2% 715 56.3% 954 1.5% 27
2000 39.7% 585 53.5% 788 6.8% 100
1996 39.6% 518 45.6% 597 14.8% 194
1992 31.0% 447 41.0% 591 28.0% 404
1988 33.9% 403 64.7% 769 1.4% 16
1984 29.3% 318 70.1% 761 0.6% 7
1980 29.8% 286 56.0% 538 14.2% 137
1976 34.4% 279 64.7% 525 0.9% 8
1972 30.5% 225 67.9% 501 2.6% 12
1968 34.4% 240 61.3% 428 4.3% 30
1964 51.6% 329 48.4% 309 0.00% 0
1960 31.5% 214 68.5% 465 0.00% 0
1956 20.2% 123 79.8% 485 0.00% 0

Arts and culture

Multiple events are hosted at the Goshen Fairgrounds each year, located on Route 63 south just outside the center of town. One such event is the Goshen Stampede, a festival held annually on Father's Day weekend that hosts a rodeo, demolition derby, music festival, and truck pull. Later in the summer on Labor Day weekend is the annual Goshen Fair. As the county's largest agricultural fair, it features farm animal judgement shows, competition and contest in log chopping, log sawing, hay-bale throwing and the like. There are food, art, photography, baked goods, and craft contests, as well as rides for children, carnival games, and craft and food vendors. Attendance over the three days can range up to 50,000 people.

Traditionally at the beginning of August, and usually the first Saturday, the Church of Christ presents an Annual Blueberry Festival where they sell blueberry pies, blueberries and host a blueberry breakfast. It is very well known and people from all around the area come to enjoy the festival and the pies. The blueberry pies are available for sale all year long, as well as other flavors made by hand by the congregation (apple, peach, and blueberry-peach). Mini pies are also sold by the church at the Goshen Fair.

The town is also home to the Goshen Players.

Notable people

See also

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