Tolland County, Connecticut

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Tolland County
County
UCONNfromsky.jpg
The University of Connecticut's main campus, in Storrs.
Map of Connecticut highlighting Tolland County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Connecticut
Connecticut in United States.svg
Connecticut's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°51′N72°20′W / 41.85°N 72.33°W / 41.85; -72.33
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Connecticut.svg  Connecticut
Founded1785
Named for Tolland, Somerset
Seat none (since 1960)
Tolland (1785-1889)
Rockville (1889-1960)
Largest town Vernon
Area
 • Total
417 sq mi (1,080 km2)
 • Land410 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water6.8 sq mi (18 km2)  1.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
149,788 Decrease2.svg
 • Density359.2/sq mi (138.7/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 2nd
Tolland County, Connecticut
Interactive map of Tolland County, Connecticut

Tolland County ( /ˈtɑːlənd/ TAH-lənd) is a county in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of the 2020 census, its population was 149,788. [1] It is incorporated into 13 towns and was originally formed on October 13, 1785, from portions of eastern Hartford County and western Windham County.

Contents

The county is included in the Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Counties in Connecticut have no governmental function; all legal power is vested in the state, city and town governments. The office of High Sheriff in Connecticut counties was officially abolished by ballot in 2000, and corrections and court services were transferred to the state marshals. Tolland County has the same boundaries as the Tolland Judicial District. On June 6, 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau formally recognized Connecticut's nine councils of governments as county equivalents instead of the state's eight counties. Connecticut's county governments were disbanded in 1960, and the councils of governments took over some of the local governmental functions. Connecticut's eight historical counties continue to exist in name only, and are no longer considered for statistical purposes. [2]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 417 square miles (1,080 km2), of which 410 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 6.8 square miles (18 km2) (1.6%) is water. [3] It is the second-smallest county in Connecticut by land area and smallest by total area.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1790 13,251—
1800 14,3198.1%
1810 13,779−3.8%
1820 14,3304.0%
1830 18,70230.5%
1840 17,980−3.9%
1850 20,09111.7%
1860 20,7093.1%
1870 22,0006.2%
1880 24,1129.6%
1890 25,0814.0%
1900 24,523−2.2%
1910 26,4597.9%
1920 27,2162.9%
1930 28,6595.3%
1940 31,86611.2%
1950 44,70940.3%
1960 68,73753.7%
1970 103,44050.5%
1980 114,82311.0%
1990 128,69912.1%
2000 136,3646.0%
2010 152,69112.0%
2020 149,788−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [4]
1790-1960 [5] 1900-1990 [6]
1990-2000 [7] 2010-2018 [8]
Old Tolland County Jail CountyJailMuseumTollandCT gobeirne.JPG
Old Tolland County Jail

2000 census

As of the year 2000, there were 136,364 people, 49,431 households, and 34,156 families living in the county. The population density was 332 sq mi (128/km2). [9] There were 51,570 housing units at an average density of 126 per square mile (49/km2). The ethnic and racial background of the county's population was 92.3% White, 2.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.3% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from another group, and 1.4% multiracial, while 2.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino (identifying with any race). Among European-Americans, 14.9% were of Irish, 14.1% Italian, 9.9% English, 8.8% French, 8.2% German, 8.0% Polish and 5.7% French Canadian ancestry. About 9 in 10 spoke English, while 2.9% spoke Spanish and 1.6% French as their first language.

There were 49,431 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females of any age, there were 100.6 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 99.5 men.

The median income for a household in the county was $59,044, and the median income for a family was $70,856. Men had a median income of $46,619 versus $34,255 for women. The per capita income for the county was $25,474. About 5.6% of the population and 2.9% of all families earned below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 4.6% were children, and 5.2% aged 65 or older.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 152,691 people, 54,477 households, and 36,707 families living in the county. [10] The population density was 372.2 inhabitants per square mile (143.7/km2). There were 57,963 housing units at an average density of 141.3 per square mile (54.6/km2). [11] In terms of ethnic/racial background, the 2010 Census found that most of Tolland County's residents were white (89.8%), followed by 3.4% Asian, 3.3% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 1.6% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.3% of the population. [10] In terms of European ancestry, 22.0% were Irish, 16.8% were Italian, 14.3% were English, 14.2% were German, 10.6% were Polish, 5.6% were French Canadian, while 3.5% of the population identified their ancestry as 'American'. [12]

Of the 54,477 households, 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no spouse, 32.6% were non-families, and 24.2% of all households were made up of one individual. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.0 people. The median age was 38.3 years. [10]

The median income for a household in the county was $77,175 and the median income for a family was $91,631. Men had a median income of $62,579 versus $46,818 for women. The per capita income for the county was $33,108. About 3.2% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over. [13]

Demographic breakdown by town

Income

Data is from the 2010 United States Census and the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. [14] [15]

RankTownPer capita
income		Median
household
income		Median
family
income		PopulationNumber of
households
1 Bolton Town$42,312$89,432$93,4724,9801,915
2 Tolland Town$41,883$99,764$108,56415,0525,312
3 Hebron Town$39,416$108,444$112,8949,6863,398
4 Andover Town$38,710$84,274$96,2863,3031,244
5 Ellington Town$37,322$81,582$95,54715,6026,257
6 Columbia Town$36,865$85,893$102,3535,4852,154
7 Somers Town$35,134$98,977$108,63611,4443,328
8 Coventry Town$34,524$86,244$91,93112,4354,783
9 Vernon Town$33,160$61,103$77,64929,17912,976
10 Union Town$32,032$79,911$84,750854334
11 Willington Town$29,616$62,500$96,4226,0412,423
12 Stafford Town$28,027$64,494$69,78912,0874,767
13 Mansfield Town$21,579$65,839$84,12826,5435,586

Race

Data is from the 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, "Race alone or in combination with one or more other races." [16]

RankTownPopulationWhiteBlackAsianAmerican
Indian		OtherHispanic
1 Vernon Town29,19988.5%8.8%4.0%0.8%1.8%7.1%
2 Mansfield Town26,13084.4%6.2%10.7%0.3%1.8%6.3%
3 Ellington Town15,39496.0%1.6%2.7%0.3%0.2%1.1%
4 Tolland Town14,93197.2%1.9%2.4%1.5%0.4%3.1%
5 Coventry Town12,40297.1%1.6%1.7%0.6%0.3%2.1%
6 Stafford Town12,05597.4%1.2%1.6%0.6%0.9%3.3%
7 Somers Town11,38585.3%10.0%2.8%0.6%4.0%5.8%
8 Hebron Town9,62099.0%0.0%1.6%0.9%0.5%2.4%
9 Willington Town6,07098.9%3.7%0.2%0.7%0.2%2.4%
10 Columbia Town5,44997.8%1.9%1.7%1.9%0.4%2.1%
11 Bolton Town5,00698.0%2.9%0.0%0.9%0.8%4.5%
12 Andover Town3,14396.5%3.0%1.7%1.3%0.0%0.0%
13 Union Town99099.4%0.0%0.7%1.6%0.0%1.3%

Communities

Towns

Other communities

Politics

For over a century, Tolland County behaved like a typical northern Yankee Republican county in presidential elections, only voting Democratic in 1932, 1936, 1964, and 1968. However, in recent elections, Tolland County has become a Democratic leaning county, following the trend of many other counties in greater New England. This started with Bill Clinton's plurality in the 1992 election and Democrats have won the county in every presidential election since then. That being said, Tolland County has been much friendlier to Republicans in local elections, as Tolland County would still vote Republican in recent gubernatorial elections. In 2022, Governor Ned Lamont became the first Democrat to win Tolland County in a gubernatorial race since 1994.

United States presidential election results for Tolland County, Connecticut [17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 36,77345.11%43,31153.13%1,4361.76%
2020 34,83843.16%44,15154.70%1,7252.14%
2016 34,19444.16%38,50649.73%4,7246.10%
2012 30,45042.89%39,36655.45%1,1751.66%
2008 29,26638.76%45,05359.67%1,1821.57%
2004 31,24543.56%39,14654.57%1,3381.87%
2000 24,70539.40%33,55453.52%4,4417.08%
1996 19,39433.08%30,00751.18%9,22415.73%
1992 20,63231.16%27,42541.42%18,15827.42%
1988 28,37550.80%26,88448.13%6021.08%
1984 32,98161.88%20,10337.72%2140.40%
1980 22,12743.95%18,55736.86%9,66219.19%
1976 23,70350.41%23,07949.08%2420.51%
1972 25,79856.45%19,50542.68%3940.86%
1968 16,66645.47%18,00749.13%1,9825.41%
1964 9,95130.90%22,19568.92%580.18%
1960 15,38651.35%14,57548.65%00.00%
1956 15,88063.54%9,11136.46%00.00%
1952 13,46658.69%9,42541.08%520.23%
1948 9,01252.01%7,97045.99%3472.00%
1944 8,20851.15%7,72148.12%1170.73%
1940 7,50349.37%7,66950.46%250.16%
1936 5,96545.43%6,67650.85%4883.72%
1932 5,85751.85%4,98544.13%4554.03%
1928 6,50259.74%4,25639.10%1261.16%
1924 5,16162.29%2,23927.02%88510.68%
1920 5,13566.13%2,30829.72%3224.15%
1916 2,75854.72%2,03240.32%2504.96%
1912 2,02442.66%1,90140.06%82017.28%
1908 2,81657.35%1,74235.48%3527.17%
1904 2,96458.66%1,77235.07%3176.27%
1900 2,99761.48%1,67834.42%2004.10%
1896 5,66467.67%2,24526.82%4615.51%
1892 4,31651.06%3,76244.51%3744.42%
1888 4,36352.88%3,61343.79%2753.33%
1884 3,89650.57%3,45944.90%3494.53%

Tolland County is briefly referenced in the novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville as the place that the ill-fated African-American shipmate, Pip, comes from.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Tolland County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  2. ↑ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/06/06/2022-12063/change-to-county-equivalents-in-the-state-of-connecticut Federal Register: Change to County-Equivalents in the State of Connecticut
  3. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  8. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Tolland County MapStats from FedStats". Archived from the original on February 23, 2004.
  10. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  12. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  13. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  14. ↑ "SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  16. ↑ "ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  17. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.

41°51′N72°20′W / 41.85°N 72.33°W / 41.85; -72.33

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