North Canaan, Connecticut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
North Canaan, Connecticut
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| Town of North Canaan | ||
Union Depot
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 Litchfield County and Connecticut Northwest Hills Planning Region and Connecticut |
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| Country |  United States |
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| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
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| County | Litchfield | |
| Region | Northwest Hills | |
| Incorporated | 1858 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Selectman-town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 19.5 sq mi (50.5 km2) | |
| • Land | 19.5 sq mi (50.4 km2) | |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.0 km2) | |
| Elevation | 823 ft (251 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,211 | |
| • Density | 165/sq mi (63.7/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP codex |
06018, 06024
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| Area code(s) | 860/959 | |
| FIPS code | 09-54030 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213478 | |
North Canaan is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. About 3,211 people lived there in 2020. The town is part of the Northwest Hills Planning Region. The main town center is still called "Canaan Village". This is because North Canaan used to be part of the older town of Canaan before it became its own town.
Contents
Geography of North Canaan
North Canaan is located in the northwestern part of Litchfield County. It shares a border to the north with Berkshire County, Massachusetts. The town covers a total area of about 50.4 square kilometers (19.5 square miles). Only a very small part of this area, about 0.02 square kilometers (0.01 square miles), is water.
Main Areas in North Canaan
North Canaan has several smaller communities within its borders:
- Canaan Village (This is different from the town of Canaan to the south.)
- Canaan Valley
- East Canaan (This area has its own post office.)
- Sodom
- East Sheffield
People Living in North Canaan
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 1,426 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,695 | 18.9% | |
| 1880 | 1,537 | −9.3% | |
| 1890 | 1,683 | 9.5% | |
| 1900 | 1,803 | 7.1% | |
| 1910 | 2,171 | 20.4% | |
| 1920 | 1,933 | −11.0% | |
| 1930 | 2,287 | 18.3% | |
| 1940 | 2,304 | 0.7% | |
| 1950 | 2,647 | 14.9% | |
| 1960 | 2,836 | 7.1% | |
| 1970 | 3,045 | 7.4% | |
| 1980 | 3,185 | 4.6% | |
| 1990 | 3,284 | 3.1% | |
| 2000 | 3,350 | 2.0% | |
| 2010 | 3,315 | −1.0% | |
| 2020 | 3,211 | −3.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, there were 3,211 people living in North Canaan. There were 1,399 households and 864 families. The town had about 63.7 people per square kilometer (165 people per square mile).
Most people in North Canaan are White (86.7%). About 8.3% of the population are Hispanic or Latino.
About 30% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.38 people. The average family had 2.98 people.
The population's age was spread out. About 23.3% were under 18. About 19% were 65 or older. The average age was 40 years old.
Getting Around North Canaan
The main roads in North Canaan are U.S. Route 7 and U.S. Route 44.
- US 7 goes north to Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and south to Danbury.
- US 44 goes west to Millerton, New York, and east to Hartford, which is Connecticut's capital city.
The Housatonic Railroad train tracks also run through the town. These tracks go from Danbury to Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
There is also a private airport called Triumph Air Field. It is located northwest of Canaan Village.
Economy and Businesses
Canaan Village is the main business area. It is where the old Central New England Railroad tracks crossed with the active Housatonic Railroad tracks. The village has many shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
Canaan Union Depot
The Canaan Union Depot is an important building in downtown Canaan. It was a train station built in 1872. In 2001, a fire badly damaged it. From 2003 to 2018, the Connecticut Railroad Historical Association worked to restore it. Today, it is home to the Great Falls Brewing Company and the New England Accordion Connection and Museum Company.
East Canaan's Farms and Mines
East Canaan is known for its dairy farms and limestone mines. In 2016, Freund's Farm in East Canaan became the first farm in Connecticut to use robots to milk their cows. The farm also makes special plant pots called CowPots™. These pots are made from composted cow manure and can break down naturally in the soil.
Schools in North Canaan
North Canaan is part of Regional School District 01. This district also includes the towns of Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, Salisbury, and Sharon.
Students in North Canaan attend:
- North Canaan Elementary School for grades K–8.
- Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village for grades 9–12.
Famous People from North Canaan
- Steve Blass (born 1942), a famous baseball pitcher from the 1970s.
- Fidelia Bridges (1834-1923), an artist who lived in the late 1800s.
