Hebron, Connecticut

(Redirected from Gilead, Connecticut)

Hebron (/ˈhibrɪn/ HEE-brin) is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Capitol Planning Region. The population was 9,098 at the 2020 census.[2] Hebron was incorporated May 26, 1708. In 2010, Hebron was rated #6 in Top Towns in Connecticut with population between 6,500 and 10,000, according to Connecticut Magazine.[3]

Hebron, Connecticut
Town of Hebron
Old Town Hall
Old Town Hall
Official seal of Hebron, Connecticut
Motto: 
"Historic Charm...with a Vision for the Future"[1]
Hebron's location within Tolland County and Connecticut
Hebron's location within the Capitol Planning Region and the state of Connecticut
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates: 41°39′N 72°23′W / 41.650°N 72.383°W / 41.650; -72.383
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyTolland
RegionCapitol Region
Incorporated1708
Government
 • TypeBoard of selectmen/Town Manager
 • First selectmanDaniel E. Larson (R)
 • Selectmen
  • Clara O'Brien (R)
  • Gail B. Richmond (R)
  • Brian O'Connell (D)
  • Mark Stuart (D)
 • Town ManagerAndrew Tierney
Area
 • Total37.3 sq mi (96.6 km2)
 • Land36.9 sq mi (95.6 km2)
 • Water0.4 sq mi (0.9 km2)
Elevation
505 ft (154 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total9,098
 • Density249/sq mi (96/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP Codes
06231, 06248
Area code(s)860/959
FIPS code09-37910
GNIS feature ID0213445
Websitewww.hebronct.com

The villages of Hebron Center, Gilead and Amston, are located within Hebron. Amston has its own ZIP Code and post office. The remnants of two long since abandoned communities, Grayville and Gay City, are also located in Hebron. The site of the latter is now Gay City State Park.

History

edit

The town of Hebron was settled in 1704, and incorporated on May 26, 1708, within Hartford County from Non-County Area 1 of the Connecticut Colony.[4] The diamond shape of the town seal has its origins in the diamond figure brand,  , required on all horses kept in Hebron by a May 1710 act of the Colonial Assembly.[5]

Hebron became a town in Windham County upon its formation on May 12, 1726. It became a town in Tolland County upon its formation from part of Windham County on October 13, 1785.[6] On October 13, 1803, the town of Marlborough, Hartford County was created from parts of the towns of Colchester (New London County), Glastonbury (Hartford County), and Hebron.[7]

Geography

edit

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.3 square miles (97 km2), of which 36.9 square miles (96 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) (0.97%) is water.

Demographics

edit
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18202,094
18501,345
18601,4255.9%
18701,279−10.2%
18801,243−2.8%
18901,039−16.4%
19001,016−2.2%
1910894−12.0%
19209152.3%
1930879−3.9%
194099913.7%
19501,32032.1%
19601,81937.8%
19703,815109.7%
19805,45342.9%
19907,07929.8%
20008,61021.6%
20109,68612.5%
20209,098−6.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 8,610 people, 2,993 households, and 2,466 families residing in the town. The population density was 233.3 inhabitants per square mile (90.1/km2). There were 3,110 housing units at an average density of 84.3 per square mile (32.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.69% White, 0.58% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 2,993 households, out of which 45.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.4% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.6% were non-families. 13.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.0% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $115,980. Males had a median income of $62,109 versus $52,237 for females. The per capita income for the town was $39,775. About 0.3% of families and 1.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.2% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 29, 2019[10]
Party Active Voters Inactive Voters Total Voters Percentage
Democratic 1,999 68 2,067 28.03%
Republican 1,828 54 1,882 25.52%
Unaffiliated 3,253 96 3,349 45.42%
Minor Parties 73 3 76 1.03%
Total 7,153 221 7374 100%

Arts and culture

edit

Annual cultural events

edit

A major commercial attraction is the annual Hebron Harvest Fair,[11] which features bingo, fried foods, rides, prizes, arts & crafts, pig races, tractor pulls, prizes for the best pies and the biggest pumpkins. The event occurs every September. This event is not only for the people of Hebron, but also for many tourists visiting the town.

Parks and recreation

edit

Hebron's most popular year-round recreation area is Gay City State Park, Connecticut's fourth-largest state park.[12] There is a 5-mile perimeter trail and an extensive network of cross trails that run throughout the park. All are suitable for woodland hiking and trail biking. Gay City also has a pond in which swimming is available in season, fishing, picnic areas, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.[13]

In addition, Hebron has several town parks and ballfields, and the Town Recreation Department has organized sports and other activities throughout the year. The rails-to-trails Airline Trail State Park goes through Hebron, with several access points for walkers, bikers and horseback riders.

Education

edit

The town hosts the regional middle and high school RHAM High School for two adjacent towns, Marlborough and Andover.

Notable people

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Town of Hebron Connecticut". Town of Hebron Connecticut. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  2. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Hebron town, Tolland County, Connecticut". Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  3. ^ "Rating the Towns 2010 Population". Connecticut Magazine. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  4. ^ Conn. Col. Recs., 5:64.
  5. ^ Conn.Col.Records, 5:158
  6. ^ "Windham County Chronology". Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  7. ^ Conn. Spec. Acts 1803, 2:1157-1158.
  8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  10. ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 29, 2019" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  11. ^ "Fair Future and Past". Hebron Harvest Fair. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  12. ^ "List of Connecticut state parks", Wikipedia, July 24, 2022, retrieved December 25, 2022
  13. ^ "Gay City State Park--Activities". CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  14. ^ "Hempstead, Charles S. (Hemstead)". Papers of Abraham Lincoln Digital Library. Illinois.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
edit