Watertown, Connecticut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Watertown, Connecticut
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| Town of Watertown | ||
Munson Memorial Park
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 Litchfield County and Connecticut Naugatuck Valley 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 | Naugatuck Valley | |
| Incorporated | 1780 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Council-manager | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 29.5 sq mi (76.4 km2) | |
| • Land | 29.0 sq mi (75.1 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2) | |
| Elevation | 583 ft (178 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 22,105 | |
| • Density | 762/sq mi (294.3/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP Codes |
06779, 06795
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| Area code(s) | 860/959 | |
| FIPS code | 09-80490 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213527 | |
Watertown is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region. In 2020, about 22,105 people lived there. The main part of Watertown is called the Watertown census-designated place. It had a population of 3,938 in 2020. Watertown is a suburb of Waterbury. The ZIP Codes for Watertown are 06795 and 06779, which covers the Oakville area.
Contents
History of Watertown
Before European settlers arrived, the land where Watertown is now located belonged to the Paugasuck Indians. At that time, the area was known as "Mattatock."
Early Settlement and Name Changes
European settlement began in 1684. Thomas Judd and other landowners bought the land together. The area, originally called Mattatock, officially became "Watterbury" (now Waterbury) in 1695.
In 1729, the Garnsey family settled in a part of Watterbury now known as Guernseytown. The oldest house in Watertown was built in 1735 on Main Street. John Trumbull, a poet from the Revolutionary War, was born here in 1750.
Becoming a Town
The First Ecclesiastical Society of Westbury was formed when the population reached 338 people. The Town of Watertown was officially created in 1780. This happened when Westbury separated from Watterbury.
Years later, in 1893, The Taft School, a private boarding school, was founded in Watertown. It has been an important part of the town ever since.
Geography and Location
Watertown is located in the southeastern part of Litchfield County. It shares borders with several other towns. To the southeast, it borders the city of Waterbury. Other nearby towns include Middlebury to the south, Woodbury and Bethlehem to the west, Morris to the northwest, and Thomaston to the east.
Area and Elevation
Watertown is in the Eastern Standard time zone. The elevation in the town center is about 583 feet (178 meters) above sea level.
The town covers a total area of about 29.5 square miles (76.4 square kilometers). Of this, about 29.0 square miles (75.1 square kilometers) is land. The remaining 0.5 square miles (1.3 square kilometers), or 1.72%, is water.
Oakville: Part of Watertown
Oakville is a community located in the southeastern part of Watertown. Many people mistakenly think Oakville is a separate town. However, it is actually part of Watertown. While Oakville has its own post office and ZIP code, it does not have its own government. All town services, like police and fire protection, are provided by Watertown.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 1,439 | — | |
| 1850 | 1,533 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,587 | 3.5% | |
| 1870 | 1,698 | 7.0% | |
| 1880 | 1,897 | 11.7% | |
| 1890 | 2,323 | 22.5% | |
| 1900 | 3,100 | 33.4% | |
| 1910 | 3,850 | 24.2% | |
| 1920 | 6,050 | 57.1% | |
| 1930 | 8,192 | 35.4% | |
| 1940 | 8,787 | 7.3% | |
| 1950 | 10,699 | 21.8% | |
| 1960 | 14,837 | 38.7% | |
| 1970 | 18,610 | 25.4% | |
| 1980 | 19,489 | 4.7% | |
| 1990 | 20,456 | 5.0% | |
| 2000 | 21,661 | 5.9% | |
| 2010 | 22,514 | 3.9% | |
| 2020 | 22,105 | −1.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Watertown has grown steadily over the years. In 2000, there were 21,661 people living in the town. The population density was about 743 people per square mile.
Community Life
In 2000, there were 8,046 households in Watertown. About 34.7% of these households had children under 18 living with them. Most households, 61.7%, were married couples living together. About 24.8% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age in Watertown was 39 years.
Transportation Routes
Watertown has several important roads that help people travel around.
Major Roads
The Route 8 expressway runs along the eastern edge of town. It has two exits within Watertown. Route 8 goes north about 14 miles to Torrington. It also goes south through Waterbury about 34 miles to Bridgeport.
The main roads through the center of Watertown are U.S. Route 6 and Connecticut Route 63. Route 6 runs east and west. It leads northeast about 30 miles to Hartford, the state capital. It also goes southwest about 30 miles to Danbury. Route 63 runs north and south. It leads north about 10 miles to Litchfield. It also goes south about 10 miles to Naugatuck.
Other important roads include Route 73. This route goes directly through Oakville to Waterbury. Route 262 runs north from Oakville through the eastern part of Watertown.
Public Transport
Public transportation in Watertown is provided by buses. These buses are operated by the Northeast Transportation Company.
Local Media and News
People in Watertown can get their news and information from several local sources.
- Waterbury Republican-American: This is a daily newspaper based in Waterbury.
- Town Times: This is a local newspaper published by Prime Publishers Inc. It serves Watertown, Oakville, and nearby towns like Thomaston.
- Macaroni Kid: This is an online magazine especially for families in Watertown.
Schools in Watertown
Watertown has a public school district with five schools. In total, about 2,579 students attend these schools.
Public Schools
- John Trumbull Primary School: This school serves preschool students.
- Judson Elementary School and Polk Elementary School: These are the two elementary schools.
- Swift Middle School: Students attend this school after elementary school.
- Watertown High School: This is the high school. About 91% of students here graduate.
Private Schools
Watertown is also home to The Taft School. This is a private boarding school. It provides education for students in grades 9 through 12. The Taft School has been located in Watertown since 1908.
Notable Places to Visit
- The Taft School: A well-known private boarding school.
- Watertown Historical Society: A place to learn about the town's history.
Notable People from Watertown
Many interesting people have connections to Watertown.
- Amanda Boulier: A professional hockey player for the Professional Women's Hockey League's Montreal Victoire.
- Rico Brogna: A former professional baseball player (first baseman) who played for several MLB teams from 1992 to 2001.
- Joe Cipriano: A well-known television announcer for CBS and Fox, and a radio personality.
- Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne: He was the 31st mayor of Chicago and a governor of Illinois. He was born in Watertown.
- David Gravel: A racing driver.
- John Trumbull: A political writer and poet who lived from 1750 to 1831. He was born in Watertown.
- David Kenyon Webster: A soldier, journalist, and author.
- Allen B. Wilson and Nathaniel Wheeler: They founded the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company in Watertown. This company was one of the first to make sewing machines.
See also
In Spanish: Watertown (Connecticut) para niños
