Somers, Connecticut

Somers /ˈsʌmərz/ is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut. The population was 11,444 at the 2010 census. The town center is listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP). In 2007, Money Magazine named Somers, Connecticut 53rd on its list of 100 Best Places to Live, based on "economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community."

Somers, Connecticut
Town
Free Public Library
Seal
Location in Tolland County and the state of Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°59′N 72°27′W
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyTolland
NECTASpringfield
RegionCapitol Region
Settled1689
Named1734
Annexed by Connecticut1749
Government
 • TypeSelectman-town meeting
 • First selectmanClyde G. Knorr, Jr. (R)
 • SelectmanClyde G. Knorr, Jr. (R)
 • SelectmanKathy Devlin (D)
Area
 • Total28.5 sq mi (73.8 km2)
 • Land28.3 sq mi (73.4 km2)
 • Water0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Elevation
240 ft (73 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total11,444
 • Density367.6/sq mi (141.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
06071
Area code(s)860
FIPS code09-69220
GNIS feature ID0212346
Websitewww.somersct.gov

Bordering Massachusetts, Somers is considered part of the City of Springfield, Massachusetts NECTA. Somers is only 9 miles from the City of Springfield, Massachusetts, and considered more oriented toward it than the City of Hartford, Connecticut, which lies 16 miles to the south.

History

Somers was originally part of the Agawam Plantation in the 17th century. Agawam Plantation became Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1641 and in 1682, the Enfield Parish broke off from the Springfield settlement. In 1689, the first settler, Benjamin Jones, came to Somers in what was then East Enfield about a half mile from the current town center, as it was only a summer house and in the winter, he and his family returned to Enfield for several years though out of fear of the Native Americans. In 1711, several more families settled the Somers area to help start a village. The families of Kibbe, Pease, Root, and Megregory were the first to settle the area. The Village was given the name Wallop but was changed to East Enfield shortly after. In the year 1734, East Enfield became a town and was renamed Somers, after John Somers, 1st Baron Somers.[1] In the year 1749, Somers joined the Connecticut Colony. The Four Town Fair which is usually held after the third weekend in September is one of the oldest fairs in the Country.

Geography

Somers is at 41°59′N 72°27′W.[2]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.5 square miles (74 km2), of which 28.3 square miles (73 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.49%) is water. The town center CDP has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2), all land.

The town's highest point, Bald Mountain, at 1,121 feet (342 m) is the highest point along the Connecticut River Valley in Connecticut. The rounded hill summit was recently purchased by the town and can be seen for many miles around.

Neighborhoods

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18201,306—
18501,508—
18601,5170.6%
18701,247−17.8%
18801,242−0.4%
18901,40713.3%
19001,59313.2%
19101,6533.8%
19201,6731.2%
19301,91714.6%
19402,11410.3%
19502,63124.5%
19603,70240.7%
19706,89386.2%
19808,47322.9%
19909,1087.5%
200010,41714.4%
201011,4449.9%
2014 (est.)11,303[3]−1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 10,417 people, 2,925 households, and 2,337 families living in the town. The population density was 367.6 people per square mile (141.9/km2). There were 3,012 housing units at an average density of 106.3 per square mile (41.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 82.97% White, 9.82% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.00% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.10% of the population.

There were 2,925 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.4% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.1% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.8% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 154.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 171.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $65,273, and the median income for a family was $71,757. Males had a median income of $49,766 versus $35,329 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,952. About 3.7% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Town center

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,626 people, 628 households, and 457 families living in the town center CDP. The population density was 777.3 inhabitants per square mile (300.4/km2). There were 645 housing units at an average density of 308.3 per square mile (119.2/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.15% White, 0.18% African American, 0.55% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

There were 628 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $54,625, and the median income for a family was $64,107. Males had a median income of $45,893 versus $31,736 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,874. About 4.0% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

Two Connecticut Department of Corrections prisons, Northern Correctional Institution and Osborn Correctional Institution,[6][7] are in Somers.[8] Northern housed the state's death row for men.[6] Osborn housed the state's execution chamber.[9]

Education

Somers School District. Somers Elementary (SES). Mabelle B. Avery Middle School. Somers High School.

Recreation

The Town of Somers maintains several recreation facilities, the largest being the facility on Field Road which features a pavilion, playscape, tennis courts and ball fields.[10] The Shenipsit State Forest along with the Shenipsit Trail is also partially in Somers, along with Soapstone Mountain, the highest point in the state forest.[11] The Scantic River State Park is also partially in Somers.[12] The Northern Connecticut Land Trust also has several properties in town.[13]

Famous residents, past and present

References
  1. The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 334.
  2. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  3. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Archived from the original on May 23, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  4. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "Northern Correctional Institution." Connecticut Department of Correction. Retrieved on August 16, 2010.
  7. "Osborne Correctional Institution." Connecticut Department of Correction. Retrieved on August 16, 2010.
  8. "Somers town, Connecticut Archived 2011-06-08 at the Wayback Machine." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 16, 2010.
  9. "Administration of Capital Punishment Directive Number 6.15." Connecticut Department of Correction. October 19, 2004. 1/9. Retrieved on August 16, 2010. "Execution Area. A series of four (4) contiguous rooms in the Osborn Correctional Institution ..."
  10. http://somers.recdesk.com/recdeskportal/Facilities/tabid/1723/Default.aspx
  11. http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=332506
  12. http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=445284
  13. http://www.northernctlandtrust.org/Properties/SomersCTProperties/tabid/346/Default.aspx
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