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Seymour, Connecticut
"Panorama From Castle Rock" of Seymour, from a 1905 postcard
"Panorama From Castle Rock" of Seymour, from a 1905 postcard
Official seal of Seymour, Connecticut
Seal
Motto(s): 
"Seymour, A Nice Place to Visit....A Better Place to Live"
Location in New Haven County, Connecticut
Country United States
State Connecticut
County New Haven
Metropolitan area New Haven
Incorporated 1850
Government
 • Type Selectman-town meeting
Area
 • Total 15.0 sq mi (38.8 km2)
 • Land 14.6 sq mi (37.7 km2)
 • Water 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2)
Elevation
387 ft (118 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 16,748
 • Density 1,117/sq mi (431.6/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
06483
Area code(s) 203, 475
FIPS code 09-67610
GNIS feature ID 0213502

Seymour is a town located in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 16,748 at the 2020 census. Seymour is bordered by the towns of Oxford and Beacon Falls to the north, Bethany and Woodbridge to the east, Ansonia and Derby to the south, and Shelton to the west.

History

Seymour was incorporated as a town in May 1850, and was named for Governor Thomas H. Seymour.

The area that now encompasses the lands of the town was originally part of the town of Derby. The downtown portion of what is now Seymour was eventually called Humphreysville, named after Revolutionary War hero David Humphrey, aide-de-camp to General George Washington. Humphreys had purchased a factory in what is the downtown portion of the town, which produced scythes and other tools as well as wool products from the sheep he had imported.

In 1836, Humphreysville was incorporated as a borough within the town of Derby by the General Assembly. Upon the creation of the town of Seymour in 1850, the borough government was dis-incorporated.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.0 square miles (39 km2), of which 14.6 square miles (38 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), or 2.67%, is water.

Named localities within Seymour include Bungay, Cedar Ridge District, Clifton, Garden City, Great Hill, Promise Land, Skokorat, and Squantuck.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 1,677
1860 1,749 4.3%
1870 2,122 21.3%
1880 2,318 9.2%
1890 3,300 42.4%
1900 3,541 7.3%
1910 4,786 35.2%
1920 6,781 41.7%
1930 6,890 1.6%
1940 6,754 −2.0%
1950 7,832 16.0%
1960 10,100 29.0%
1970 12,776 26.5%
1980 13,434 5.2%
1990 14,288 6.4%
2000 15,454 8.2%
2010 16,540 7.0%
2020 16,748 1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 16,540 people, 6,654 households, and 4,453 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,060.6 people per square mile (409.5/km2). There were 6,356 housing units at an average density of 436.2 per square mile (168.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.75% White, 1.35% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.77% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.04% of the population.

There were 6,155 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $52,408, and the median income for a family was $65,012. Males had a median income of $46,171 versus $32,186 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,056. About 3.6% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 27, 2015
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Democratic 2,116 82 2,198 22.69%
Republican 2,047 86 2,133 22.01%
Unaffiliated 5,109 221 5,330 55.02%
Minor Parties 25 1 26 0.27%
Total 9,297 390 9,687 100%

Arts and culture

Seymour, CT - 135 Main from Kisson's Crossing 01
Downtown Seymour Historic District

Museums and other points of interest

  • Great Hill Cemetery, founded in the 18th century.

On the National Register of Historic Places

  • Downtown Seymour Historic District: Roughly bounded by the Naugatuck River, Main, Wakeley, and DeForest Streets (added September 25, 1983)
  • Sanford-Humphreys House: 61-63 West St. (added June 11, 1982)
  • Seymour High School and Annex: 100 Bank St. (added December 17, 1983)

Seymour Pink

Seymour Pink is a non-profit organization in Seymour. It is an organization that helps fight against breast cancer. It donates to local hospitals such as Yale's Smilow Cancer Institute and Hewitt's Breast Cancer center at Griffin Hospital. One day in the month of October is "Seymour Pink Day" where the whole town unites and wears pink in hopes of raising money. Seymour High School's sports teams also participate in the fight against breast cancer.

Events

They hold many events annually including:

  • Wine Tasting Event - This is an event hosted by Mountain Road Wine and Liquor. This year's wine tasting event will occur on February 2, 2013.
  • New Year's Eve Gala - This is an event that takes place on New Year's Eve at Woodwinds in Branford, CT. It is hosted by Jacqueline Antonucci, and the proceeds go to Seymour Pink and Smilow Cancer Center.
  • Seymour Pink Golf Tournament
  • Mammo Bus & Cut-a-thon - Those without health insurance and even those with can get a free mammogram screening. This goes along with a day of hair cuts.
  • Seymour Pink Day - The whole town gets decorated with pink, and everyone wears it to show support for the fight against breast cancer.
  • Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
  • Pounding the Pavement for Pink - This is a 5K run/walk held in downtown Seymour.
  • Banners for Pink - These banners hang in memory of loved ones.
  • Seymour Pumpkin Festival on the grounds of French Memorial Park in September of every year.

Other annual events

Pumpkin Festival

This is a craft show that has a variety of vendors for the whole family. It has jewelry, ceramics, food concessions, and activities for kids including a costume parade, and a royal court. You can decorate pumpkins, and come and listen to music. It is usually held in late September at French Memorial Park.

Smoke in the Valley

This is a beer and chili festival that takes places in downtown Seymour that benefits local youth sports, Seymour Pink, and emergency services. It is usually held in early October. It has live music all day, chili contests and a lot of food.

Founder's Day

This is a town-wide event that showcases Seymour’s history. It unites the town so that families can enjoy an event. It promotes town businesses, and town non-profit organizations. It also benefits the Seymour Historical Society. This helps celebrate all of the residents of Seymour, Connecticut, all while giving back to other members in the community. It is usually held in the beginning of June.

Memorial Day Parade

The town of Seymour hosts a Traditional holiday parade honoring the contributions of the men and women of the armed forces, past and present. It is held in downtown Seymour by the post office and train station. It is full of great floats and great music and is held on Memorial Day.

Halloween Haunted Trail

The Seymour Land Trust holds this event every Halloween. You walk through dark trails by the swamp at night, and people jump out unexpectedly at you. Anyone can participate. You come and dress up, but there is a $6 admission fee. Refreshments are sold during the event. There is a short segment for special needs and small children before the main event so that they aren't scared too much.

Trunk or Treat

Every year trunk or treat is held at the Seymour Middle School parking lot. Kids from pre-K to 6th grade can come and trick-or-treat from car to car. Parents just bring a decorated car and candy to hand out, and all of the younger kids can go around. It is a safe alternative to normal trick or treating.

Christmas Parade

Every year, the town of Seymour hosts an annual Christmas parade. It is held in downtown Seymour by the post office and train station. It is full of great floats, great music, and a visit from Santa. It is usually held in late November or early December.

Pictures

Education

There are four public schools in Seymour, Connecticut. They are Seymour High School (9-12), Seymour Middle School (6-8), Chatfield-LoPresti School (pre-K-5), and Bungay School(K-5). Chatfield School and LoPresti School used to be separate, until they united into one school on the grounds of the former Paul E. Chatfield School. The school opened as one on the first day of school on September 5, 2012. The official dedication occurred on Sunday, October 14, 2012.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Seymour, CT - train station 01
Seymour train station, 2012

The Seymour train station provides commuter rail service to Bridgeport, Stamford, and Grand Central Terminal in New York City via the Waterbury Branch on the Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line. Seymour lies along Connecticut Route 8. Connecticut Transit New Haven Division provides bus service to Seymour on its F West Chapel Street route.

Notable people

  • John D'Agostino (b. 1982), professional poker player
  • Harriet Ford (1868–1949), actress, playwright
  • John William De Forest (1826–1906), a soldier and writer best known for his Civil War novel Miss Ravenel's Conversion from Secession to Loyalty
  • Carlos French (1835–1903), congressman from Connecticut
  • Robert Tuttle Morris (1857–1945), surgeon and author
  • Alyssa Naeher (b. 1988), soccer player
  • Themis Klarides (b. 1965), former Connecticut House Minority Leader, Republican Candidate for the 2022 Connecticut senate election

See also

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