Goshen, Connecticut

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Goshen, Connecticut
Official seal of Goshen, Connecticut
Location in Litchfield County, Connecticut
Location in Litchfield County, Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°51′05″N 73°14′09″W﻿ / ﻿41.85139°N 73.23583°W﻿ / 41.85139; -73.23583Coordinates: 41°51′05″N 73°14′09″W﻿ / ﻿41.85139°N 73.23583°W﻿ / 41.85139; -73.23583
Country United States
State Connecticut
Region Litchfield Hills
Incorporated 1739
 • Type Selectman-town meeting
 • First selectman Thomas Breakell
 • Total 45.2 sq mi (117.1 km2)
 • Land 43.7 sq mi (113.1 km2)
 • Water 1.5 sq mi (4.0 km2)
Elevation 1,319 ft (402 m)
Population (2005)
 • Total 3,092
 • Density 71/sq mi (27/km2)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 06756
Area code(s) 860
FIPS code 09-32290
GNIS feature ID 0213433
Website Goshen




According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.2 square miles (117 km2), of which, 43.7 square miles (113 km2) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2) of it (3.43%) is water. A large portion of the Mohawk State Forest is located in the town. The Appalachian Trail formerly passed through the town until it was re-routed west of the Housatonic River.

Principal communities[edit]

Other minor communities and geographic areas in the town are: Hall Meadow, North Goshen, Tyler Lake, West Side, and Woodridge Lake. Woodrige lake is private. It is only available to residents (it is not a gated community). They have access to the clubhouse, and all of the lake's beaches.


The town was incorporated in 1739, one year after settlement of the town center began. The Congregational Church was founded the following year.[1] During the 18th century, Goshen was a farming, and later, prosperous business community. The town manufactured musket rifles during the American Revolution. Other notable business include the pineapple cheese factory and the Brooks pottery shop.

The first school in Goshen was built in 1753. A seminary for young women was established in 1819. The Goshen Academy was established several years later and became a well-regarded preparatory school during the 19th century.

Settlers from Goshen were the first to settle Hudson Township, Summit County, Ohio in the Connecticut Western Reserve.

Notable locations[edit]

Historic sites in the town include:


Route 4 is the principal east-west through route in the town, while Route 63 serves as the main north-south road.


As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,697 people, 1,066 households, and 814 families residing in the town. The population density was 61.8 people per square mile (23.9/km²). There were 1,482 housing units at an average density of 33.9 per square mile (13.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.26% White, 0.48% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.74% Asian, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.

There were 1,066 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 31.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $64,432, and the median income for a family was $72,452. Males had a median income of $48,125 versus $30,464 for females. The per capita income for the town was $33,925. About 2.9% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 25, 2005[3]
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
  Republican 745 16 761 37.29%
  Democratic 413 6 419 20.53%
  Unaffiliated 827 33 860 42.14%
  Minor Parties 1 0 1 0.05%
Total 1,986 55 2,041 100%

Notable residents[edit]


External links[edit]