West Hartford is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. As of 2002, the town had an estimated total population of 61,365.

It is a mostly upmarket suburb of Hartford. The town has a vibrant downtown (called West Hartford Center) centered around Farmington Avenue and South/North Main Street. The Westfarms Mall is located on West Hartford's western border with Farmington. Interstate 84 passes through the south part of town.

West Hartford is the historical center of Greater Hartford's Jewish community. In fact, the town has the largest per capita Jewish population of any in the state (somewhat surprising given the significant Jewish population of Fairfield County which is part of the New York metropolitan area). It also has Connecticut's largest concentration of immigrants from the former Soviet Union.

West Hartford is home to the University of Hartford and Saint Joseph College.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 57.9 km² (22.4 mi²). 56.9 km² (22.0 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.70% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 63,589 people, 24,576 households, and 15,925 families residing in the town. The population density is 1,117.0/km² (2,892.6/mi²). There are 25,332 housing units at an average density of 445.0/km² (1,152.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 85.96% White, 4.78% African American, 0.12% Native American, 4.80% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 2.61% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. 6.27% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 24,576 households out of which 29.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% are married couples living together, 9.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% are non-families. 29.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 3.00.

In the town the population is spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 85.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 80.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $61,665, and the median income for a family is $77,865. Males have a median income of $52,450 versus $39,051 for females. The per capita income for the town is $33,468. 4.5% of the population and 2.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.4% of those under the age of 18 and 5.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Historical population

• 1850 - 4,411
• 1860 - 1,296
• 1870 - 1,533
• 1880 - 1,828
• 1890 - 1,930
• 1900 - 3,186
• 1910 - 4,808
• 1920 - 8,854
• 1930 - 24,941
• 1940 - 33,776
• 1950 - 44,402
• 1960 - 62,382
• 1970 - 68,031
• 1980 - 61,301
• 1990 - 60,110
• 2000 - 63,589 (later revised to 61,046 after border dispute with Hartford)
• 2002 - 61,365 (estimate)

Sources: Interactive Connecticut State Register & Manual and U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division

External link

• Town of West Hartford