Rocky Hill, Connecticut facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Town
Town of Rocky Hill
Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum
Seal
Hartford County and Connecticut  Capitol Planning Region and Connecticut
Country	United States
U.S. state	Connecticut
County	Hartford
Region	Capitol Region
Incorporated	1843
Government
• Type	Council-manager
Area
• Total	13.8 sq mi (35.8 km2)
• Land	13.4 sq mi (34.8 km2)
• Water	0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2)
Elevation	223 ft (68 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	20,845
• Density	1,508.1/sq mi (582.3/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code	06067
Area code(s)	860/959
FIPS code	09-65370
GNIS feature ID	0213497
Interstates
U.S. Routes

Rocky Hill is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, in the United States. It is part of the larger Capitol Planning Region. In 2020, about 20,845 people lived there.

The land where Rocky Hill now stands was once home to the Wangunks, a Native American tribe. European settlers started moving into the area around 1650. At first, it was part of Wethersfield, a town just to the north. In 1722, this area became known as Stepney Parish. It officially became its own town, Rocky Hill, in 1843.

Rocky Hill's location right on the Connecticut River made it an important port for Wethersfield. It was a busy place for building ships, farming, and trading goods. Today, Rocky Hill is often called a "bedroom community." This means many people who live there travel to nearby cities like Hartford or New Haven for work.

One of the most famous places in Rocky Hill is the Dinosaur State Park. It's also where the company Ames Department Stores used to have its main office before it closed in 2002.

Where is Rocky Hill Located?

Rocky Hill covers a total area of about 35.8 square kilometers (13.8 square miles). Most of this area, 34.8 square kilometers (13.4 square miles), is land. The remaining 1.0 square kilometer (0.4 square miles) is water.

Rocky Hill shares its borders with several other towns:

• To the north: Wethersfield
• To the northwest: Newington
• To the southwest: Berlin
• To the south: Cromwell
• To the east: The Connecticut River

Major roads run through the town. Interstate 91 has exits at two main local highways: Route 3 and Route 99. Route 3 goes from Cromwell, through Rocky Hill, and into Wethersfield, eventually crossing the Connecticut River into Glastonbury. Route 99 runs north and south, following the Connecticut River through the town.

The town's name, Rocky Hill, comes from a ridge of land along the Connecticut River. This area is now known as Rocky Hill Quarry Park.

Who Lives in Rocky Hill?

Based on the 2000 Census, Rocky Hill had 17,966 people living in 7,557 households. About 4,519 of these were families. The population density was about 515 people per square kilometer (1,335 per square mile).

About 24.9% of households had children under 18 living with them. Many households (48.9%) were married couples living together. About 40.2% of households were not families. The average household had 2.26 people, and the average family had 2.93 people.

The median age in Rocky Hill was 41 years old. This means half the people were younger than 41 and half were older. About 19.7% of the population was under 18.

The median income for a household in the town was $60,247. For families, the median income was $72,726. The income per person in the town was $29,701. A small percentage of families (1.2%) and people (2.9%) lived below the poverty line.

Schools in Rocky Hill

Rocky Hill has several schools for students of different ages:

• Rocky Hill High School: This school has about 800 students.
• Albert D. Griswold Middle School: About 600 students attend this middle school.
• Moser Intermediate School: This school enrolls around 500 students.
• Stevens Elementary School: About 500 students go to this elementary school.
• West Hill Elementary School: This school has around 525 students.

What Businesses are in Rocky Hill?

Rocky Hill is home to many businesses that provide jobs for its residents. Here are some of the top employers in the town, based on a 2023 report:

Fun Places to Visit in Rocky Hill

Rocky Hill has several interesting places to explore:

• The Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry: This ferry takes people across the Connecticut River to Glastonbury. It is said to be the oldest ferry service in the nation that has run continuously, though it closes in winter due to ice.
• Dinosaur State Park: Here you can see real fossilized dinosaur footprints. These footprints were found in Rocky Hill in the 1960s.
• Quarry Park: This park is 84.3 acres (about 34 hectares) and is located on an old trap rock quarry. The quarry was active from the 1920s to the 1950s.
• The Connecticut Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: This library provides special services for people who are blind or have physical disabilities.
• The State Veteran's Home and Hospital: This facility has been in Rocky Hill since 1940 and provides care for veterans.
• Academy Hall: This building is now a museum run by the Rocky Hill Historical Society.
• The John Robbins House: A historic house in the town.
• Elm Street Historic District: An area with many historic buildings.
• Center Cemetery: A historic cemetery.
• Henkel Corporation: This company has its U.S. Headquarters for Adhesive Technologies and Research & Development in Rocky Hill.
• WFSB Channel 3: The studios for this CBS-affiliated television station are located here.