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Sprague, Connecticut
Sprague Public Library
Sprague Public Library
Official seal of Sprague, Connecticut
Seal
Location within New London County, Connecticut
Country United States
State Connecticut
County New London
Metropolitan area New London
Incorporated 1861
Government
 • Type Selectman-town meeting
Area
 • Total 13.8 sq mi (35.7 km2)
 • Land 13.2 sq mi (34.2 km2)
 • Water 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2)
Elevation
276 ft (84 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,967
 • Density 215.0/sq mi (83.11/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
06330, 06350, 06383
Area code(s) 860
FIPS code 09-71670
GNIS feature ID 0213510

Sprague is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The town was named after William Sprague III, who laid out the industrial section. The population was 2,967 at the 2020 census. Sprague includes three villages: Baltic, Hanover, and Versailles.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.8 square miles (35.8 km²), of which 13.2 square miles (34.2 km²) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), or 4.41%, is water.

Principal communities

The town hall is located in Baltic and was constructed in the 1950s.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 3,463
1880 3,207 −7.4%
1890 1,106 −65.5%
1900 1,339 21.1%
1910 2,551 90.5%
1920 2,500 −2.0%
1930 2,539 1.6%
1940 2,285 −10.0%
1950 2,320 1.5%
1960 2,509 8.1%
1970 2,912 16.1%
1980 2,996 2.9%
1990 3,008 0.4%
2000 2,971 −1.2%
2010 2,984 0.4%
2020 2,967 −0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,971 people, 1,111 households, and 797 families living in the town. The population density was 224.8 people per square mile (86.8/km2). There were 1,164 housing units at an average density of 88.1 per square mile (34.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.42% White, 0.71% African American, 0.64% Native American, 1.35% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.

There were 1,111 households, out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,125, and the median income for a family was $57,500. Males had a median income of $40,808 versus $28,616 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,796. About 2.2% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.

On the National Register of Historic Places

A historic district and two individual buildings in Sprague are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

  • Ashlawn — 1 Potash Hill Road (added July 4, 1979)
  • Baltic Historic District — Roughly bounded by Fifth Avenue, River, High, Main, West Main, and the Shetucket River (added September 3, 1987)
  • William Park House — 330 Main Street (added March 7, 2007)

Economy

The previous industry in town was the Baltic Textile Mill, which burned down in 1999.

Ecotourism and events

Sprague is quickly becoming a destination for eco-tourism, having held their first RiverFest, a celebration of the local Shetucket River. The river and festival attract kayakers, canoe enthusiasts, tubers, and nature lovers. A companion festival, the Three Villages Festival, is held each year in October in Baltic, on the public ball field and surrounding area.

Notable people

  • Leo Connellan (1928–2001), poet laureate of Connecticut (1996-2001), lived his later years and died in town.
  • Charles S. Whitman (1868–1947), judge and the 41st Governor of New York, born in town.
  • Glenn Alan Cheney (1951– ), author, painter, translator, selectman (2005-2007 and 2021-).

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sprague (Connecticut) para niños

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