Canton, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Canton is a rural town, incorporated in 1806, in Hartford County
, Connecticut
. The population was 8,840 at the 2000 census, and has grown to 10,292 as of the 2010 census. It is bordered by Granby
on the north, Simsbury
on the east, Avon
and Burlington
on the south, New Hartford
on the west, and Barkhamsted
on the northwest. Running through it is the Farmington River. The town includes the villages of North Canton, Canton Center, Canton (Canton Valley), and Collinsville
. In September 2007, Collinsville was ranked in Budget Travel magazine as one of the "Ten Coolest Small Towns In Connecticut."
.
. It displays a 19th-century general store, a post office, a printing press and blacksmith and barber shops. Vehicles, tools and farm implements are also exhibited, as well as a working railroad diorama, Victorian fashions, toys and dolls.
The town is on the Farmington River, and Collinsville Canoe & Kayak is the largest specialty canoe and kayak store in New England. A rail trail also runs through Canton.
, the town has a total area of 25 square miles (64.7 km²), of which, 24.6 square miles (63.7 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (1.88%) is water. The town center was defined in the 2000 census as a census-designated place
(CDP) known as Canton Valley. The CDP has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 8,840 people, 3,516 households, and 2,492 families residing in the town. The population density
was 359.7 people per square mile (138.9/km²). There were 3,616 housing units at an average density of 147.2 per square mile (56.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.15% White, 0.53% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races
, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population.
There were 3,516 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.2% were married couples
living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $65,013, and the median income for a family was $80,533. Males had a median income of $49,980 versus $37,652 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $33,151. About 1.9% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 0.5% of those age 65 or over. The median income for a household (Est. in 2009) has rose in the town of Canton due to an increase of home sales in the past decade. Canton was listed as one of the fastest growing towns in CT (circa 2006) and is steadily growing.
of 2000, there were 1,565 people, 749 households, and 409 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 886.7 people per square mile (343.3/km2). There were 764 housing units at an average density of 432.9 per square mile (167.6/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.93% White, 0.58% African American, 0.32% Asian, 1.09% from other races
, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.15% of the population.
There were 749 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples
living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.3% were non-families. 40.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,543, and the median income for a family was $64,028. Males had a median income of $45,938 versus $32,298 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $25,206. About 6.6% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 1.7% of those age 65 or over.
, 179
, and 309
. Commuter bus service to Hartford
is provided by Connecticut Transit Hartford
; a Park & Ride lot is on Old River Road in Collinsville. Intercity train and bus services are provided from Union Station
in Hartford, and the nearest large airport is Bradley International Airport
, about 13 miles (20.9 km) away in Windsor Locks
.
Hartford County, Connecticut
Hartford County is a county located in the north central part of the US state of Connecticut. The 2010 Census records show that the county population is at 894,014 making it the second most populated county in Connecticut....
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. The population was 8,840 at the 2000 census, and has grown to 10,292 as of the 2010 census. It is bordered by Granby
Granby, Connecticut
Granby is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 10,347 at the 2000 census. The town center was defined as a census-designated place known as Salmon Brook in the 2000 census....
on the north, Simsbury
Simsbury, Connecticut
Simsbury is a suburban town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 23,234 at the 2000 census. The town was incorporated as Connecticut's twenty-first town in May 1670.-Early history:...
on the east, Avon
Avon, Connecticut
Avon is a town in the Farmington Valley region of Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. , the town had a population of 18,098.Avon is a suburb of Hartford. Avon Old Farms School, a prestigious boarding school, is located there. In 2005, Avon was named the third-safest town in America by...
and Burlington
Burlington, Connecticut
Burlington is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States.Situated at the foot of the Berkshires and bordering the Farmington River, Burlington is a scenic hill town, rural in nature, located west of Hartford. Incorporated in 1806, the population was 8,190 at the 2000 census. Burlington...
on the south, New Hartford
New Hartford, Connecticut
New Hartford is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 6,088 at the 2000 census. The town center is also defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place . The town is mainly a rural community consisting of farms, homes, and parks...
on the west, and Barkhamsted
Barkhamsted, Connecticut
Barkhamsted is a town in Litchfield County in Connecticut and contains six villages, West Hill, Mallory, Center Hill, Washington Hill, Pleasant Valley and Riverton. The population was 3,494 at the 2000 census...
on the northwest. Running through it is the Farmington River. The town includes the villages of North Canton, Canton Center, Canton (Canton Valley), and Collinsville
Collinsville, Connecticut
Collinsville is a village and census-designated place in the town of Canton in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 2,686 at the 2000 census. The central portion of the village is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Collinsville is...
. In September 2007, Collinsville was ranked in Budget Travel magazine as one of the "Ten Coolest Small Towns In Connecticut."
History
At the Collins ax factory in Collinsville, Elisha Root invented the important industrial technique of die castingDie casting
Die casting is a metal casting process that is characterized by forcing molten metal under high pressure into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is created using two hardened tool steel dies which have been machined into shape and work similarly to an injection mold during the process...
.
Points of interest
The Canton Historical Museum, in Collinsville, is located in a building of the former Collins Axe Company, one of the first ax factories in the world which was founded by Samuel W. CollinsSamuel W. Collins
Samuel W. Collins was a Canton, Connecticut axe manufacturer.Samuel Watkinson Collins was born September 8, 1802 in Middletown, Connecticut, one of seven children His father was a...
. It displays a 19th-century general store, a post office, a printing press and blacksmith and barber shops. Vehicles, tools and farm implements are also exhibited, as well as a working railroad diorama, Victorian fashions, toys and dolls.
The town is on the Farmington River, and Collinsville Canoe & Kayak is the largest specialty canoe and kayak store in New England. A rail trail also runs through Canton.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 25 square miles (64.7 km²), of which, 24.6 square miles (63.7 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (1.88%) is water. The town center was defined in the 2000 census as a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) known as Canton Valley. The CDP has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,840 people, 3,516 households, and 2,492 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 359.7 people per square mile (138.9/km²). There were 3,616 housing units at an average density of 147.2 per square mile (56.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.15% White, 0.53% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population.
There were 3,516 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $65,013, and the median income for a family was $80,533. Males had a median income of $49,980 versus $37,652 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $33,151. About 1.9% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 0.5% of those age 65 or over. The median income for a household (Est. in 2009) has rose in the town of Canton due to an increase of home sales in the past decade. Canton was listed as one of the fastest growing towns in CT (circa 2006) and is steadily growing.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
1,859 | 2 | 1,861 | 29.08% |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
1,797 | 1 | 1,798 | 28.09% |
Unaffiliated | 2,714 | 2 | 2,716 | 42.44% |
Minor Parties | 25 | 0 | 25 | 0.39% | |
| Total | 6,395 | 5 | 6,400 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Town center
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,565 people, 749 households, and 409 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 886.7 people per square mile (343.3/km2). There were 764 housing units at an average density of 432.9 per square mile (167.6/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.93% White, 0.58% African American, 0.32% Asian, 1.09% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.15% of the population.
There were 749 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.3% were non-families. 40.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,543, and the median income for a family was $64,028. Males had a median income of $45,938 versus $32,298 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $25,206. About 6.6% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 1.7% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
The town is served by U.S. Routes 44 and 202 as well as Connecticut Routes 177Connecticut Route 177
Route 177 is a state highway in central Connecticut, running from Plainville to Canton.-Route description:Route 177 begins as Town Line Road at an intersection with Route 10 in Plainville, just north of the Southington town line. It heads west for then turns north onto South Washington Street...
, 179
Connecticut Route 179
Route 179 is a state highway in northern Connecticut, running from Burlington to Hartland.-Route description:Route 179 begins at an intersection with Route 4 in eastern Burlington and heads north along the Farmington River into Canton...
, and 309
Connecticut Route 309
Route 309 is a Connecticut state highway in the northwestern Hartford suburbs running from Canton to Simsbury.-Route description:Route 309 begins at an intersection with Route 179 in North Canton and heads southeast into Simsbury...
. Commuter bus service to Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
is provided by Connecticut Transit Hartford
Connecticut Transit Hartford
Connecticut Transit Hartford is the largest division of Connecticut Transit, providing service on 43 local routes, 5 "flyer" limited stop routes and 12 express routes throughout 27 towns in Hartford County including: Bloomfield, East Hartford, Farmington, Glastonbury, Manchester, Newington, New...
; a Park & Ride lot is on Old River Road in Collinsville. Intercity train and bus services are provided from Union Station
Union Station (Hartford)
Hartford Union Station is the main railway station in Hartford, Connecticut, United States. . The historic station building is near the State Capitol Building. It is a Richardsonian Romanesque building designed by George Keller and built in 1889. A 1914 fire required that it be completely rebuilt,...
in Hartford, and the nearest large airport is Bradley International Airport
Bradley International Airport
Bradley International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located in Windsor Locks on the border with East Granby and Suffield, in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is owned by the State of Connecticut....
, about 13 miles (20.9 km) away in Windsor Locks
Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Windsor Locks is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was 12,043. It is the site of Bradley International Airport, which serves the Greater Hartford-Springfield region. It is also the site of the New England Air Museum...
.
Notable residents, past and present
- Lucien BarbourLucien BarbourLucien Barbour was a U.S. Representative from Indiana.Born in Canton, Connecticut, Barbour was graduated from Amherst College in 1837.He moved to Indiana the same year and settled in Madison, Jefferson County.He studied law....
(1811–1880), U.S. Representative for Indiana was born in town. - Philemon BlissPhilemon BlissPhilemon Bliss was an Ohio Congressman, the first chief justice of the Supreme Court of Dakota Territory, and a Missouri Supreme Court justice....
(1813–1889), U.S. Representative for Ohio was born in town. - Samuel W. CollinsSamuel W. CollinsSamuel W. Collins was a Canton, Connecticut axe manufacturer.Samuel Watkinson Collins was born September 8, 1802 in Middletown, Connecticut, one of seven children His father was a...
(1802–1871), Founder of the Collins Axe Factory for which Collinsville is named. - Danny HoffmanDanny HoffmanDanny Hoffman , was a professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1903 to 1911. During his career Hoffman played for the Philadelphia Athletics, New York Highlanders, and St...
(1880–1922), major league baseball player was born in town. - Uriel HolmesUriel HolmesUriel Holmes was a United States Representative from Connecticut. He was born in East Haddam, Connecticut, and then moved with his parents to Hartland, Connecticut. He attended the common schools and graduated from Yale College in 1784...
(1764–1827), U.S. Representative for Connecticut lived his later years and died in town. - Merrill I. MillsMerrill I. MillsMerrill I. Mills was a businessman and mayor of Detroit.-Biography:Merrill I. Mills was born on November 4, 1819 in Canton, Connecticut, the son of Isaac and Asenath Merrill Mills...
(1819–1882), Mayor of Detroit, MichiganDetroit, MichiganDetroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, was born in town. - Anson Greene PhelpsAnson Greene PhelpsAnson Greene Phelps was a co-founder of mining company Phelps Dodge, which he founded in 1833 along with his son-in-law William E. Dodge.-Early life:...
(1781–1853), industrialist and philanthropist, grew up in town. - William E. SimondsWilliam E. SimondsWilliam Edgar Simonds was a United States Representative from Connecticut and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award, the Medal of Honor, for his actions as a soldier in the American Civil War....
(1842–1903), US Civil War veteran, Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient and U.S. Representative for Connecticut was born in Collinsville, ConnecticutCollinsville, ConnecticutCollinsville is a village and census-designated place in the town of Canton in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 2,686 at the 2000 census. The central portion of the village is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Collinsville is...
. - David VaudreuilDavid VaudreuilDavid Vaudreuil is a retired U.S. soccer player whose career spanned fifteen teams in over six leagues including seven seasons in Major League Soccer...
(1966-), Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
player and coach grew up in town.