Voluntown, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Voluntown is a town
in New London County
, Connecticut
, United States
. The population was 2,528 at the 2000 census. From 1726 to 1881 Voluntown had been part of Windham County.
, the town has a total area of 39.8 square miles (103.1 km²). 38.9 square miles (100.8 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it (2.14%) is covered by surface water.
of 2000, there were 2,528 people, 952 households, and 702 families residing in the town. The population density
was 65.0 people per square mile (25.1/km²). There were 1,091 housing units at an average density of 28.0 per square mile (10.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.64% White, 0.55% African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.40% from other races
, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population. 13.2% were of English
, 12.5% French Canadian
, 11.5% Irish
, 9.2% American
, 8.9% French
, 8.0% Polish, 7.6% Italian
, 7.3% German
and 5.6% Finnish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 952 households out of which 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.9% were married couples
living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 36.9% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 104.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $56,802, and the median income for a family was $61,618. Males had a median income of $42,647 versus $27,368 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $23,707. About 3.0% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.
, which opposed nuclear weapons testing and the launch of nuclear submarines from nearby New London, Connecticut
during the 1950's and 1960's.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in New London County
New London County, Connecticut
New London County is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of 2010 the population was 274,055. The total area of the county is , including inland and coastal waters....
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,528 at the 2000 census. From 1726 to 1881 Voluntown had been part of Windham County.
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 39.8 square miles (103.1 km²). 38.9 square miles (100.8 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it (2.14%) is covered by surface water.
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 2,528 people, 952 households, and 702 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 65.0 people per square mile (25.1/km²). There were 1,091 housing units at an average density of 28.0 per square mile (10.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.64% White, 0.55% African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.40% 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 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population. 13.2% were of English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 12.5% French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
, 11.5% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 9.2% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 8.9% French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
, 8.0% Polish, 7.6% Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
, 7.3% German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
and 5.6% Finnish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 952 households out of which 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.9% 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, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 36.9% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 104.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $56,802, and the median income for a family was $61,618. Males had a median income of $42,647 versus $27,368 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 $23,707. About 3.0% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.
School
In the school district, there is only one school. Voluntown Elementary School houses grades pre-k through 8th, and since the 2008-2009 school year offers full day kindergarten. The school also offers a three-year-old program. In town high school students are given the option to attend either either two public schools, Griswold High School, or Norwich Free Academy. They are also given the choice of select tech schools, Norwich Tech, and Ellis Tech. Students can also attend Killingly Vo-Ag.Institutions
Voluntown is the home of the Voluntown Peace Trust, successor to the New England Committee for Non-Violent ActionCommittee for Non-Violent Action
The Committee for Non-Violent Action , formed in 1957 to resist the US government's program of nuclear weapons testing, was one of the first organizations to employ nonviolent direct action to protest against the nuclear arms race....
, which opposed nuclear weapons testing and the launch of nuclear submarines from nearby New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
during the 1950's and 1960's.
External links
- Voluntown.gov - Official municipal Web site
- Voluntown Elementary School Official school Web site
- Mystic Country: The Eastern Regional Tourism District