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Roxbury, Connecticut facts for kids

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Roxbury, Connecticut
Town Hall
Town Hall
Official seal of Roxbury, 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 1796
Government
 • Type Selectman-town meeting
Area
 • Total 26.4 sq mi (68.3 km2)
 • Land 26.3 sq mi (68.1 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation
541 ft (165 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,260
 • Density 85.70/sq mi (33.09/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
06783
Area code(s) 860/959 (860 Exchanges: 350,354,355)
FIPS code 09-65930
GNIS feature ID 0213498

Roxbury is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 2,260 at the 2020 census. The town is located 65 miles (105 km) northeast of New York City.

History

Roxbury, whose Indian name was "Shepaug", a Mahican name signifiying "rocky water", was settled about the year 1713. Originally a part of Woodbury, the town was incorporated in October 1796.

PostcardRoxburyCTDistantView19011907
Roxbury Station, ca. 1905

Mine Hill and its minerals have been associated with Roxbury since the middle of the 18th century. A silver mine was opened here and was later found to contain spathic iron, specially adapted to steel making and a small smelting furnace was built. The abundance of granite found in many of Mine Hill's quarries provided the building material for the ore roaster and blast furnace, as well as for such world wonders as the Brooklyn Bridge and Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 26.3 square miles (68 km2), of which, 26.2 square miles (68 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.23%) is water.

Principal communities

  • Judd's Bridge
  • Roxbury center
  • Roxbury Falls
  • Roxbury Station

On the National Register of Historic Places

Three places in Roxbury, Connecticut are included on the National Register of Historic Places listing. They are:

  • Roxbury Center (CT 67, Weller's Bridge Rd., South and Church Streets); 32 buildings in designated local historic district.
  • Roxbury Iron Mine and Furnace Complex
  • Roxbury Station Historic District (added 2009) (CT 67, Botsford Hill, Hodge, and Mine Hill Roads)

Demographics

Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
1830 1,122 —    
1840 971 −13.5%
1850 1,114 +14.7%
1860 992 −11.0%
1870 919 −7.4%
1880 950 +3.4%
1890 936 −1.5%
1900 1,087 +16.1%
1910 837 −23.0%
1920 647 −22.7%
1930 553 −14.5%
1940 660 +19.3%
1950 740 +12.1%
1960 912 +23.2%
1970 1,238 +35.7%
1980 1,468 +18.6%
1990 1,825 +24.3%
2000 2,136 +17.0%
2010 2,262 +5.9%
2020 2,260 −0.1%

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,136 people, 848 households, and 620 families residing in the town. The population density was 81.4 people per square mile (31.4/km2). There were 1,018 housing units at an average density of 38.8 per square mile (15.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.24% White, 0.23% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.66% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.

There were 848 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 34.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $87,794, and the median income for a family was $97,672. Males had a median income of $61,477 versus $45,417 for females. The per capita income for the town was $56,769. About 3.0% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Connecticut Route 67 is the main thoroughfare in the town, leading west 7 miles (11 km) to New Milford and southeast 8 miles (13 km) to Southbury. The town is also served by secondary highways Route 199 (leading north 5 miles (8 km) to Washington) and Route 317 (leading east 6 miles (10 km) to Woodbury).

Roads in Roxbury on the List of Connecticut State Scenic Highways

The following roads are Connecticut State Scenic Highways:

  • Connecticut Route 317; 0.40 from Painter Hill Road, west to Route 67. (added November 14, 1990)
  • Connecticut Route 67; 0.87 mile from Ranny Hill Road, south to 0.30 mile south of Route 317. (added November 14, 1990)
  • Connecticut Route 67; 2.90 miles from the Roxbury/Bridgewater Town line, east to Ranny Hill Road. (added August 23, 1996)

Education

Regional School District 12 operates the Booth Free School in Roxbury, as well as the Shepaug Valley School (secondary) in Washington.

Notable people

See also

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