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Coordinates: 41°15′10″N 73°17′50″W / 41.25278°N 73.29722°W / 41.25278; -73.29722
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{{Short description|Town in Connecticut, United States}}
{{Infobox Settlement
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
|official_name = Easton, Connecticut
{{Infobox settlement
|settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
|image_skyline =
| name = Easton, Connecticut
|imagesize =
| native_name =
|image_caption =
| native_name_lang =
|image_map = US-CT-Easton.png
| official_name = Town of Easton
| settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
|mapsize = 250x200px
|map_caption = Location in [[Connecticut]]
| image_skyline = Town Hall, Easton, Connecticut.jpg
|established_title = Incorporated
| image_caption = Town hall
|established_date = 1845
| image_flag = Flag of Easton, Connecticut.png
|image_map1 =
| image_seal = EastonCTseal.jpg
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:Fairfield County Connecticut incorporated and unincorporated areas Easton highlighted.svg|230px|frameless|alt=Easton's location within Fairfield County and Connecticut]]| [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Greater Bridgeport incorporated and unincorporated areas Easton highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Easton's location within the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut|Greater Bridgeport Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
|mapsize1 =
| image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q2323099}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|15|10|N|73|17|50|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:10;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q2323099;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Easton;Connecticut;the United States}}
|map_caption1 =
| coordinates = {{coord|41|15|10|N|73|17|50|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type = [[NECTA]]
| subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Bridgeport-Stamford
|subdivision_type1 =
| subdivision_name = {{US}}
|subdivision_name1 = [[Connecticut]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
|subdivision_type2 = Region
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
|subdivision_name2 = Greater Bridgeport
| subdivision_name2 = [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield]]
|government_type = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman-town meeting]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
|leader_title = First selectman
| subdivision_name3 = [[Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut|CT Metropolitan]]
|leader_name = Thomas A. Herrmann
|area_magnitude =
| parts_type = Villages
| parts = Easton<br />[[Aspetuck, Connecticut|Aspetuck]]<br />[[Plattsville, Connecticut|Plattsville]]
|area_total_km2 = 74.1
| established_title = Incorporated
|area_land_km2 = 71.0
|area_water_km2 = 3.1
| established_date = 1845
| government_type = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman-town meeting]]
|area_total_sq_mi = 28.6
|population_as_of = 2005
| leader_title = First selectman
| leader_name = David Bindelglass ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastonct.gov/selectmen|title = Selectmen &#124; Easton CT}}</ref>
|population_total = 7488
| leader_title1 = Selectman
|population_density_km2 = 106
| leader_name1 = Kristi Sogofsky ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])
|population_density_sq_mi = 273
| leader_title2 = Selectman
|timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| leader_name2 = Nicholas D’Addario ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| unit_pref = Imperial
|utc_offset_DST = -4
| area_total_km2 = 74.1
|area_land_sq_mi = 27.4
| area_total_sq_mi = 28.6
|area_water_sq_mi = 1.2
| area_land_km2 = 71.0
|elevation_m = 130
| area_land_sq_mi = 27.4
|elevation_ft = 427
| area_water_km2 = 3.1
| area_water_sq_mi = 1.2
|latd = 41 |latm = 15 |lats = 57 |latNS = N
|longd = 73 |longm = 18 |longs = 03 |longEW = W
| elevation_m = 92
| elevation_ft = 301
|region =
|postal_code_type = ZIP code
| population_total = 7605
|postal_code = 06612
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_density_km2 = 107.1
|website = http://www.eastonct.org/
|area_code = [[Area code 203|203]]
| timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset = -5
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 09-23890
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset_DST = -4
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]
|blank1_info = 0213427
|footnotes =
| postal_code = 06612
| area_code = [[Area codes 203 and 475|203/475]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-23890
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 206880<ref name=GNIS1>{{gnis|206880|Easton}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|www.eastonct.gov/}}
}}
}}
'''Easton''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]], [[Connecticut]], [[United States]]. The population was 7,272 at the 2000 census. Easton is among the most affluent communities on the eastern seaboard.


'''Easton''' is a town in [[Fairfield County, Connecticut]], United States. As of the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 20202">{{cite web |title=Census - Geography Profile: Easton town, Fairfield County, Connecticut |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900123890 |access-date=December 15, 2021 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> the population was 7,605. Easton contains the historic district of [[Aspetuck, Connecticut|Aspetuck]] and the [[Plattsville, Connecticut|Plattsville]] [[census-designated place]]. It is a part of the [[Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut|Greater Bridgeport Planning Region]], the [[New York metropolitan area|New York metropolitan statistical area]], and is bordered by the towns of [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]] to the south, [[Redding, Connecticut|Redding]] to the north, [[Weston, Connecticut|Weston]] to the west, and [[Monroe, Connecticut|Monroe]] and [[Trumbull, Connecticut|Trumbull]] to the east.
The town is a rural community situated among Redding, Monroe, Trumbull, Fairfield, Weston and Newtown. Most residents' children attend Samuel Staples Elementary School, Helen Keller Middle School, or [[Joel Barlow High School]].


In March 2023, Easton established a sister city relationship with [[Sviatohirsk|Sviatohirsk, Donetsk, Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web |title=A Message From First Selectman David Bindelglass |url=https://www.eastonct.gov/home/news/32423-a-message-from-first-selectman-bindelglass |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=Easton CT Government}}</ref>
The [[Connecticut Route 59|Route 59]] bridge in town, which carries more than 10,000 cars and trucks every day over the Mill River, has a substructure rated in critical condition by state safety inspectors. As of early August 2007, the bridge was one of 12 in the southwestern part of the state (including New Haven) with safety inspection ratings so low they are considered to be in critical condition. The ratings for these bridges were worse than the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis, which collapsed during rush hour on [[August 1]], [[2007]].<ref>Kaplan, Thomas, Martineau, Kim, and Kauffman, Matthew, "12 state bridges are judged to be in critical condition" article in ''[[The Advocate (Stamford)|The Advocate]]'' of [[Stamford, Connecticut]], article reprinted from ''[[The Hartford Courant]]'', [[August 5]], [[2007]], pp1, A6</ref>

==History==
New York was first settled in 1757 by men and women from Fairfield. In 1762 a congregation called the North Fairfield Society was established, and it gradually evolved into Easton. In 1787 Weston, then including lands now defined as Easton, was incorporated out of Fairfield. The area was slow to develop because of the rough hills along the [[Aspetuck River]], and so it was not until 1845 that what is now Easton separated from Weston. Today, half of the town's property is owned by the Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut, the major supplier of water in the area.

The deaf and blind activist [[Helen Keller]] lived the last several years of her life in Easton. Her house is still intact today and has been owned by several families since her death. The local middle school is named for her.

The 2009 [[Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree]] was a {{convert|76|ft|adj=on}} [[Norway Spruce]] donated from a private residence in Easton.


==Geography==
==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of 28.6&nbsp;[[square mile]]s (74.2&nbsp;[[km²]]), of which, 27.4&nbsp;square miles (71.0&nbsp;km²) of it is land and 1.2&nbsp;square miles (3.1&nbsp;km²) of it (4.23%) is water.
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|28.6|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|27.4|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|1.2|sqmi|km2}} of it (4.2%) is water.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population|align=left
| 1850 = 1432
| 1860 = 1350
| 1870 = 1288
| 1880 = 1145
| 1890 = 1001
| 1900 = 960
| 1910 = 1052
| 1920 = 1017
| 1930 = 1013
| 1940 = 1262
| 1950 = 2165
| 1960 = 3407
| 1970 = 4885
| 1980 = 5962
| 1990 = 6303
| 2000 = 7272
| 2010 = 7490
| 2020 = 7605
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 }}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2010, there were 7,490 people, 2,465 households, and 2,077 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|265.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,511 housing units at an average density of {{convert|91.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 96.74% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.22% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.04% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.02% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.41% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.55% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.76% of the population.<ref name="GR2"/>

Of the 2,465 households, 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.8% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.7% were non-families. 12.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.23 individuals.<ref name="AFF">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 15, 2016 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 37% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. The sex ratio is 94.3 males per 100 females.<ref name="AFF"/>

The median income for a household in the town was $132,000, and the median income for a family was $155,227. Males had a median income of $101,636 versus $83,333 for females. The per capita income for the town was $59,546. About 2.2% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="AFF"/>

{{clear}}

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Easton Fireman's Carnival. August 5, 2021.jpg|thumb|2021 Easton Fireman's Carnival]]
Places within Easton listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Fairfield County, Connecticut|National Register of Historic Places]] include [[Aspetuck, Connecticut|Aspetuck Historic District]], [[Ida Tarbell House]], and [[Bradley-Hubbell House]]. The annual Easton Fireman's Carnival is an event run by the Easton Fire Department that occurs every summer. It features games and food in addition to rides provided by the Stewart Amusement Company. The carnival's proceeds help pay the yearly operating costs, improvements to house and equipment, and high priority gear. In 2020, the carnival was canceled for the first time in 63 years due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nelson|first=Bruce|date=July 25, 2020|title=The Easton Volunteer Fire Company Carnival – A Multi-Generation Love Affair|url=https://eastoncourier.news/2020/07/25/the-easton-volunteer-fire-company-carnival-a-multi-generation-love-affair/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120140354/https://eastoncourier.news/2020/07/25/the-easton-volunteer-fire-company-carnival-a-multi-generation-love-affair/|archive-date=January 20, 2021|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=Easton Courier}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.evfc1.com/content/history.pdf|title=A History of the Easton Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Inc.|year=1996}}</ref>


Easton's centuries-old [[Union Cemetery (Easton, Connecticut)|Union Cemetery]] is a well-known [[Ghost hunting|ghost-hunting]] site, called one of the "most [[List of reportedly haunted locations|haunted]]" sites in the United States.<ref>Rogak, Lisa (2004). ''Stones and Bones of New England: A Guide to Unusual, Historic, and Otherwise Notable Cemeteries''. Globe Pequot. {{ISBN|0-7627-3000-5}}.</ref>
== History ==
Easton was first settled in 1757 by men from Fairfield. In 1762 a congregation called the North Fairfield Society was established, and it gradually evolved into Easton. In 1787 Weston, then including lands now defined as Easton, was incorporated from Fairfield. The area was slow to develop because of the rough hills along the Aspetuck River, and so it was not until 1845 that Easton was incorporated from Weston. Today, while close to the New York metropolitan area, Easton remains a quiet and even rural residential town. Half of the town's property is owned by the Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut, the major supplier of water in the area.


==Government==
On June 1, 1968, the deaf and blind activist [[Helen Keller]] died at the age of 87 in her Easton, Connecticut home, where she chose to spend her final days. Her house is still intact today and has been owned by several families since her death.


Historically, Easton has been a reliably Republican stronghold. In [[1964 United States presidential election in Connecticut|1964]], it was one of only eleven Connecticut towns to vote for Barry Goldwater, and the only one to give him more than 60% of the vote.<ref>[https://authoring.ct.gov/-/media/SOTS/ElectionServices/StatementOfVote_PDFs/1964SOVpdf.pdf Statement of Vote, General Election, November 3, 1964]</ref> However, in [[2016 United States presidential election in Connecticut|2016]], town residents voted for [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Hillary Clinton]] with a plurality.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/connecticut|title = Connecticut Election Results 2016|newspaper = The New York Times|date = August 2017}}</ref> In [[2020 United States presidential election in Connecticut|2020]], [[Joe Biden]] improved upon the Democratic margin in the town.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-connecticut.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-elections-2020&region=TOP_BANNER&context=election_recirc|title = Connecticut Election Results|newspaper = The New York Times|date = November 3, 2020}}</ref>
===On the National Register of Historic Places===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;"
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:1em; font-size:95%;"
|+ Easton town vote<br /> by party in presidential elections<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current |url=https://authoring.ct.gov//SOTS/Election-Services/Statement-Of-Vote-PDFs/General-Elections-Statement-of-Vote-1922 |access-date=August 3, 2022 |website=CT.gov}}</ref>
| align="center" colspan="2" | '''Historical<br> population<br> of Easton'''[http://www.sots.ct.gov/RegisterManual/SectionVII/SecVIITOC.htm]
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Year
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Third party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2020 United States presidential election in Connecticut|2020]]
|[[1850]] || 1,432
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.29%''' ''2,777''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.36% ''2,178''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.35% ''68''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]
|[[1860]] || 1,350
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''48.67%''' ''2,203''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|47.08% ''2,131''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|4.24% ''192''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]
|[[1870]] || 1,288
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|43.16% ''1,841''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''55.79%''' ''2,380''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.05% ''45''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]
|[[1880]] || 1,145
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|49.47% ''2,238''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.93%''' ''2,259''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.60% ''27''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]
|[[1890]] || 1,001
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|44.34% ''2,002''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.53%''' ''2,462''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.13% ''51''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]
|[[1900]] || 960
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|42.76% ''1,783''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''52.18%''' ''2,176''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.06% ''211''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]
|[[1910]] || 1,052
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.86% ''1,475''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.16%''' ''1,904''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|10.99% ''417''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]
|[[1920]] || 1,017
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|30.85% ''1,232''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''47.80%''' ''1,909''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|21.36% ''853''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]
|[[1930]] || 1,013
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|29.94% ''1,106''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''68.65%''' ''2,536''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.41% ''52''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]
|[[1940]] || 1,262
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|24.83% ''895''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''74.79%''' ''2,696''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.39% ''14''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]
|[[1950]] || 2,165
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|23.91% ''821''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''64.11%''' ''2,201''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|11.97% ''411''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]
|[[1960]] || 3,404
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|29.38% ''921''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''69.92%''' ''2,192''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.70% ''22''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]
|[[1970]] || 4,885
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|23.77% ''681''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''74.24%''' ''2,127''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.99% ''57''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]
|[[1980]] || 5,962
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|27.05% ''655''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''68.07%''' ''1,648''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|4.87% ''118''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]
|[[1990]] || 6,303
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.09% ''801''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.91%''' ''1,302''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]
|[[2000]] || 7,272
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|24.39% ''466''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''75.61%''' ''1,445''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1956 United States presidential election|1956]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|14.79% ''251''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''85.21%''' ''1,446''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1952 United States presidential election|1952]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|17.87% ''262''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''76.74%''' ''1,125''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.39% ''79''
|}
|}

* '''Aspetuck Historic District''' &mdash; Roughly, Redding Rd. from jct. with Old Redding Rd. to Wells Hill Rd. and Old Redding Rd. N past Aspetuck R. (added [[September 23]], [[1991]])
* '''Bradley-Hubbell House''' &mdash; 535 Black Rock Turnpike (added [[May 18]], [[2003]]) was built in 1816 for Aljah and Elizabeth Bradley. Two occupants have left memoirs. The first was John Dimon Bradley, son of Aljah and Elizabeth, who described life on what was mainly a subsistence farm in the Nineteenth century. In 1912, Bradley descendants sold the property to the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, which flooded much of the farmland for a reservoir and leased the house to Franklin Hubbell (d. 1996), one of its employees. His daughter, Patricia, wrote about her life while she lived in the house between about 1932 and 1954. The house is a [[Colonial style|Colonial]] with a traditional center-chimney plan. The house has a few [[Federal architecture|Federal-style]] ornaments, including oval windows in the gables, a parlor mantel, and rope molding on the stairs.<ref>[http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:TS3Dra0gHTgJ:www.cttrust.org/index.cgi/1824+%22Bradley-Hubbell+House+%22&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2&ie=UTF-8]Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Web page titled, "New Listings on the National Register" accessed [[September 25]], [[2006]]</ref>
* '''[[Ida Tarbell]] House''' &mdash; 320 Valley Rd. (added [[May 19]], [[1993]])

==Demographics==
As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|<sup>2</sup>]] of 2000, there were 7,272 people, 2,465 households, and 2,077 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was 265.2 people per square mile (102.4/km²). There were 2,511 housing units at an average density of 91.6/sq&nbsp;mi (35.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.74% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.22% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.04% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.02% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.41% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.55% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.76% of the population.

There were 2,465 households out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.7% were non-families. 12.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the town the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $125,557, and the median income for a family was $135,055. Males had a median income of $85,777 versus $51,528 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $53,885. About 1.9% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 1.0% of those age 65 or over.


{| class=wikitable
{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005<ref>{{cite web|title = Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 25, 2005 | publisher = Connecticut Secretary of State | format = PDF | accessdate = 2006-10-02 | url = http://www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/lists/2005OctRegEnrollStats.pdf}}</ref>
! colspan = 6 | Voter registration and party enrollment as of November 5, 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SOTS/ElectionServices/Registration_and_Enrollment_Stats/Copy-of-Nov18RE.pdf?la=en|title=Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of November 5, 2018|publisher=Connecticut Secretary of State|format=PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923151511/http://www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/lists/2005OctRegEnrollStats.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=September 23, 2006|access-date=October 2, 2006}}</ref>
|-
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active Voters
! Active voters
! Inactive Voters
! Inactive voters
! Total Voters
! Total voters
! Percentage
! Percentage
|-
{{American politics/party colours/Republican/row}}
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 1,797
| style="text-align:center;"| 1,793
| align = center | 68
| style="text-align:center;"| 68
| align = center | 1,865
| style="text-align:center;"| 1,861
| align = center | 35.08%
| style="text-align:center;"| 31.67%
|-
{{American politics/party colours/Democratic/row}}
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | 1,011
| style="text-align:center;"| 1,487
| align = center | 37
| style="text-align:center;"| 60
| align = center | 1,048
| style="text-align:center;"| 1,547
| align = center | 19.71%
| style="text-align:center;"| 26.33%
|-
{{American politics/party colours/Independent/row}}
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Unaffiliated
| [[Independent voter|Unaffiliated]]
| align = center | 2,307
| align = center | 87
| style="text-align:center;"| 2,320
| align = center | 2,394
| style="text-align:center;"| 68
| align = center | 45.03%
| style="text-align:center;"| 2,388
| style="text-align:center;"| 40.64%
{{American politics/party colours/Libertarian/row}}
|-
| Minor Parties
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| align = center | 9
| Minor parties
| align = center | 0
| align = center | 9
| style="text-align:center;"| 75
| align = center | 0.17%
| style="text-align:center;"| 5
| style="text-align:center;"| 80
| style="text-align:center;"| 1.36%
|-
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 5,124
! style="text-align:center;"| 5,675
! align = center | 192
! style="text-align:center;"| 201
! align = center | 5,316
! style="text-align:center;"| 5,876
! align = center | 100%
! style="text-align:center;"| 100%
|}
|}


===2019 municipality election===
==Notable residents, past and present ==
Easton was seen as a shifting-[[Liberalism|liberal]] town in the wake of the 2019 municipality election. In the [[Board of selectmen|First Selectman]] election, [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] David Bindelglass won, defeating [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Wendy Bowditch.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2019 |title=Town of Easton Municipal Election November 5, 2019: UPDATE with Recanvass Results... OFFICIAL WINNERS |url=https://www.eastonct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3071/f/uploads/2019_election_results_unofficial_recanvass.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Bindelglass-wins-in-Easton-14812570.php|title = Bindelglass wins in Easton|date = November 5, 2019}}</ref> It was an upset, as Easton is known to be a solid-[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] stronghold.
*[[Hume Cronyn]], actor (Jessica Tandy's husband)<ref name=kauf>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E3DA153DF93BA25753C1A9649C8B63&sec=&pagewanted=print]Kaufman, Joanne. "Weekender: Easton, Conn." article in ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[October 12]], [[2002]], accessed [[September 25]], [[2006]]</ref>
*[[Helen Keller]], blind-deaf-mute author, lived in town. <ref name=kauf/>
*[[Jessica Tandy]], actress (wife of Hume Cronyn)<ref name=kauf/>
*[[Franco Ventriglia]], opera singer, may not have lived in Easton, but he was working at a gas station in town at the time he was discovered.
*[[Eileen Fulton]] was a resident.<ref name=kauf/>
*[[Anne Baxter]], a weekend resident.<ref name=kauf/>
*[[Edna Ferber]], playwright and novelist, was a weekend resident.<ref name=kauf/>
*[[Dan Rather]], former CBS News anchor, has been a weekend resident.<ref name=kauf/>
*[[Igor Sikorsky]], aircraft pioneer.
*Robert Heindel, Artist, former resident 1968-2004


==Education==
== School Systems ==

Easton has two schools, Samuel Staples Elementary school, which takes children grades K-5,and Helen Keller Middle School, which takes children grades 6-8. High school students go to
Easton has three schools: Samuel Staples Elementary school, for children in grades from kindergarten to 5th grade, Helen Keller Middle School, for children in grades 6 through 8, and the private school Easton Country Day for children K–12 (formerly Phoenix Academy). High school students attend [[Joel Barlow High School]] in Redding.
[[Joel Barlow High School]] in Redding.

==Media==
Easton is served by multiple [[Television channel|TV stations]], notably [[WTNH]], [[WFSB]], [[WVIT]], among many others.<ref name="nocable.org">{{Cite web|url=https://nocable.org/availability-report/zip/06612-easton-ct/|title=Availability Report - NoCable}}</ref> Easton is also served by [[New York metropolitan area|New York City Metropolitan Area]] stations because the town is in that area.<ref name="nocable.org"/>
Easton also is in the radius of many [[Radio broadcasting|radio stations]]. Most notably [[WSHU-FM|WSHU]], [[WFOX (FM)|WFOX]], [[WEBE]], and [[WEZN-FM|WEZN]].

===Newspapers===
Easton has many local [[newspaper]]s of its own, but most of them are not well documented, with almost no info on them online. Despite this, these newspapers are printed and physical.

====Easton Courier (1978–2018)====

The Easton Courier began production in 1978.<ref name="eastoncourier.news">{{Cite web|url=https://eastoncourier.news/2020/12/26/please-support-the-courier/|title = Please Support the Courier|date = December 26, 2020}}</ref> It was a print newspaper, different than its successor in 2020. It stopped publication in 2018 due to a lack of advertisements.<ref name="eastoncourier.news"/>

====Easton Courier (2020–present)====
The successor to the Easton Courier began work in 2018 after its closure. It began when Jim Castonguay, Director of the School of Communications, Media and the Arts at [[Sacred Heart University]], reached out to former Easton Courier chief editor Nancy Doniger via [[LinkedIn]], proposing the idea of a news publication created by students and faculty partnered up with the citizens of Easton. Local leaders embraced the idea after being presented with it.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://eastoncourier.news/2020/02/19/eastons-local-newspaper-to-make-a-comeback-with-citizen-support/|title=Easton's Local Newspaper to Make a Comeback with Citizen Support - Easton Courier|newspaper=Easton Courier|date=February 19, 2020}}</ref> The newspaper began publication on February 29, 2020, as an online source with involvement from the town government. Since the newspaper is a [[Nonprofit organization|nonprofit]], it runs on [[donation]]s from the public. An article asking for your donation remains continuously on the newspaper's website<ref name="eastoncourier.news"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Easton Courier |url=https://eastoncourier.news/ |access-date=August 3, 2022 |website=Easton Courier |language=en-US}}</ref> due to that fact. A new article about donations appeared on December 18, 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eastoncourier.news/2021/12/18/please-support-the-courier-2/|title = Please Support the Courier|date = December 30, 2021}}</ref> but it isn't continuously being featured.

==Infrastructure==
[[File:EastonCT EMS front.jpg|thumb|Easton Volunteer Emergency Medical Service]]

===Emergency medical services===
Easton Volunteer Emergency Medical Service was established in 1946 and currently has two ambulances, a staff of three Chief officers, two career technicians and 29 volunteers.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.eastonems.com/aboutus.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710164621/http://www.eastonems.com/aboutus.html |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |website=Easton Volunteer Emergency Medical Service}}</ref>

===Fire department===
Easton is protected by eight paid firefighters of the Easton Fire Department (EFD) and the volunteer firefighters of the Easton Volunteer Fire Company # 1. Founded in 1921, EFD operates out of one fire station, and runs an apparatus fleet of three engines, one attack engine, one haz-mat unit, one brush unit, and one command vehicle. The Easton Fire Department responds to over 500 emergency calls annually. In 2015, the fire department responded to 539 incidents.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Waugh, Steven|title=Town of Easton Annual Report 2015 |url=https://www.eastonct.gov/sites/eastonct/files/file/file/2015_annual_report.pdf#page=26 |website=Town of Easton, CT |page=21 |access-date=November 2, 2018 |quote=Currently there are more than 20 active firefighters serving in the Fire Company. [...] There are currently eight career firefighters who are on staff with the Easton Fire Department. The firehouse is staffed by a rotating crew of two firefighters working a 24 hour shift. This provides staffing in the Fire House 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Many times during the workweek, due to Easton being a bedroom community, the "on-duty" firefighters are at times, the only ones responding to calls. In addition to their other duties, the career firefighters perform the crucial task of maintaining the Town’s firefighting equipment.}}</ref>

===Police department===
The Easton Police Department includes a K9 unit, D.A.R.E, and an animal control unit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Easton Police Explorers Calendar of Upcoming Events |url=http://explorers.eastonctpolice.com/calendar/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510045710/http://explorers.eastonctpolice.com/calendar/index.html |archive-date=May 10, 2010 |access-date=August 5, 2010}}</ref> The Easton Police Explorer Post 2001 is an affiliated with the department.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=http://explorers.eastonctpolice.com/ |access-date=August 2, 2022 |website=Easton Police Explorer Post 2001}}</ref> Easton Police are also first responders for all EMS calls in town. They are all certified EMR's or EMT's and can provide oxygen, perform basic first aid, and defibrillation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Response to Calls |url=http://www.eastonems.com/responsetocalls.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710164224/http://www.eastonems.com/responsetocalls.html |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |website=Easton Volunteer Emergency Medical Service}}</ref>

===Bridge===
The [[Connecticut Route 59|Route 59]] bridge in Easton, which carries more than 10,000 cars and trucks every day over the [[Mill River (Fairfield, Connecticut)|Mill River]], has a substructure rated in critical condition by state safety inspectors. In 2007, the bridge was one of 12 in the southwestern part of the state with "critical" safety inspection ratings.<ref>Kaplan, Thomas, Martineau, Kim, and Kauffman, Matthew, "12 state bridges are judged to be in critical condition" article in ''[[The Advocate (Stamford)|The Advocate]]'' of [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], Connecticut, article reprinted from ''[[The Hartford Courant]]'', August 5, 2007, pp. 1, A6</ref>

====Bridge Construction====
In 2019, construction was conducted on a South Park Avenue bridge over [[Mill River (Fairfield, Connecticut)|Mill River]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/news/amp/Heavily-traveled-road-to-be-closed-in-Easton-for-13968056.php|title = Heavily-traveled road to be closed in Easton for months|date = June 11, 2019}}</ref> which ended in the summer of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eastoncourier.news/2020/06/24/south-park-bridge-opens/|title = South Park Bridge Opens|date = June 24, 2020}}</ref> In May 2021, construction on another bridge on South Park Avenue began<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2021 |title=Press Release: Bridge Closure on South Park Avenue at Riverside Beginning May 7, 2021 |url=https://www.eastonct.gov/public-works/news/press-release-bridge-closure-on-south-park-avenue-at-riverside-beginning-may-7 |website=Easton}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Easton Department of Public Works |date=May 4, 2021 |title=Press Release: BRIDGE CLOSED - South Park Ave Bridge Near Riverside |url=https://www.eastonct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3071/f/uploads/dpw_-_p_r_e_s_s_r_e_l_e_a_s_e_-_south_park_bridge_04213_replacement_-_5-4-21_update.pdf |access-date=August 3, 2022}}</ref> which ended in December of the same year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eastoncourier.news/2021/12/03/south-park-avenue-bridge-reconstruction-completed/|title = South Park Avenue Bridge Reconstruction Completed|date = December 4, 2021}}</ref>

==Notable people==

* [[Anne Baxter]], actress<ref name=kauf/>
* [[Phoebe Brand]], blacklisted actress
* [[Elise Broach]], children's book author
* [[Morris Carnovsky]], actor
* [[Hume Cronyn]], actor<ref name=kauf>https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E3DA153DF93BA25753C1A9649C8B63&sec=&pagewanted=print Kaufman, Joanne. "Weekender: Easton, Conn." article in ''[[The New York Times]]'', October 12, 2002, accessed September 25, 2006</ref>
* [[Debrah Farentino]], actress and journalist
* [[Edna Ferber]], playwright and novelist<ref name=kauf/>
* [[Eileen Fulton]], TV actress<ref name=kauf/>
* [[Helen Keller]], blind and deaf author; the town’s middle school is named in her honor<ref name=kauf/>
* [[Kevin Kilner]], stage/television/movie actor
* [[Gary Mendell]], founder of the national non-profit Shatterproof<ref name=kauf/>
* [[James Prosek]], painter and author
* [[Dan Rather]], CBS News anchor<ref name=kauf/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ikenson |first=Ben |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gBV6bY2Ey3IC&dq=igor+sikorsky+helicopter+nichols+connecticut+inventor&pg=PA24 |title=Patents: Ingenious Inventions : how They Work and how They Came to be |date=2004 |publisher=Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers |isbn=978-1-57912-367-3 |pages=24 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Igor Sikorsky]], aircraft designer<ref name=kauf/>
* [[Jessica Tandy]], actress<ref name=kauf/>
* [[Ida M. Tarbell]], "[[muckraker]]" known for helping to break up the Standard Oil monopoly"<ref name=kauf/>
* [[Johnny Winter]], blues guitarist<ref name=kauf/>

==Sister cities==
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Sviatohirsk]]<ref>"A Message From First Selectman David Bindelglass". Easton CT Government. Retrieved March 24, 2023.-95/</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
* [[Weston meteorite|1807 Weston meteorite]]. Fell in portion of Weston which is now modern-day Easton


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.eastonct.org/ Town government Web site]
{{wikivoyage|Easton (Connecticut)|Easton, Connecticut}}
*[http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/08/realestate/08LIVI.html?ei=5070&en=5d05577227a66484&ex=1156996800&pagewanted=print "Living in: Easton, Conn.: A Town of Homes and Country Roads," by Eleanor Charles, an article in the Real Estate section of ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[July 8]], [[2001]]]
*[http://www.coastalct.com/ Coastal Fairfield County Convention & Visitor Bureau]
*[http://www.eastonct.gov/ Town of Easton official website]
*[http://historicalsocietyofeastonct.org/ Historical Society of Easton official website]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/08/realestate/08LIVI.html?ei=5070&en=5d05577227a66484&ex=1156996800&pagewanted=print "Living in: Easton, Conn.: A Town of Homes and Country Roads," by Eleanor Charles, an article in the Real Estate section] of ''[[The New York Times]]'', July 8, 2001


{{Geographic Location
{{Connecticut}}
| Centre = Easton
| Northeast = [[Monroe, Connecticut|Monroe]]
| North = [[Newtown, Connecticut|Newtown]]
| Northwest = [[Redding, Connecticut|Redding]]
| East = [[Trumbull, Connecticut|Trumbull]]
| South = [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]]
| Southeast = [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]
| West = [[Weston, Connecticut|Weston]]}}
{{Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Fairfield County, Connecticut}}
{{Fairfield County, Connecticut}}
{{Connecticut}}
{{New York metropolitan area}}
{{New England}}


{{authority control}}
[[Category:Fairfield County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]


[[Category:Easton, Connecticut| ]]
[[bg:Истън]]
[[fr:Easton (Connecticut)]]
[[Category:Towns in Fairfield County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in the New York metropolitan area]]
[[sv:Easton, Connecticut]]
[[vo:Easton (Connecticut)]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut]]

Latest revision as of 02:22, 19 May 2024

Easton, Connecticut
Town
Town of Easton
Town hall
Town hall
Flag of Easton, Connecticut
Flag
Official seal of Easton, Connecticut
Seal
Easton's location within Fairfield County and Connecticut
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates: 41°15′10″N 73°17′50″W / 41.25278°N 73.29722°W / 41.25278; -73.29722
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyFairfield
RegionCT Metropolitan
Incorporated1845
VillagesEaston
Aspetuck
Plattsville
Government
 • TypeSelectman-town meeting
 • First selectmanDavid Bindelglass (D)[1]
 • SelectmanKristi Sogofsky (R)
 • SelectmanNicholas D’Addario (D)
Area
 • Total28.6 sq mi (74.1 km2)
 • Land27.4 sq mi (71.0 km2)
 • Water1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2)
Elevation
301 ft (92 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total7,605
 • Density277/sq mi (107.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code
06612
Area code(s)203/475
FIPS code09-23890
GNIS feature ID206880[2]
Websitewww.eastonct.gov

Easton is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2020 census,[3] the population was 7,605. Easton contains the historic district of Aspetuck and the Plattsville census-designated place. It is a part of the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, the New York metropolitan statistical area, and is bordered by the towns of Fairfield to the south, Redding to the north, Weston to the west, and Monroe and Trumbull to the east.

In March 2023, Easton established a sister city relationship with Sviatohirsk, Donetsk, Ukraine.[4]

History[edit]

New York was first settled in 1757 by men and women from Fairfield. In 1762 a congregation called the North Fairfield Society was established, and it gradually evolved into Easton. In 1787 Weston, then including lands now defined as Easton, was incorporated out of Fairfield. The area was slow to develop because of the rough hills along the Aspetuck River, and so it was not until 1845 that what is now Easton separated from Weston. Today, half of the town's property is owned by the Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut, the major supplier of water in the area.

The deaf and blind activist Helen Keller lived the last several years of her life in Easton. Her house is still intact today and has been owned by several families since her death. The local middle school is named for her.

The 2009 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was a 76-foot (23 m) Norway Spruce donated from a private residence in Easton.

Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.6 square miles (74 km2), of which, 27.4 square miles (71 km2) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) of it (4.2%) is water.

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18501,432—
18601,350−5.7%
18701,288−4.6%
18801,145−11.1%
18901,001−12.6%
1900960−4.1%
19101,0529.6%
19201,017−3.3%
19301,013−0.4%
19401,26224.6%
19502,16571.6%
19603,40757.4%
19704,88543.4%
19805,96222.0%
19906,3035.7%
20007,27215.4%
20107,4903.0%
20207,6051.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income

As of the census[6] of 2010, there were 7,490 people, 2,465 households, and 2,077 families residing in the town. The population density was 265.2 inhabitants per square mile (102.4/km2). There were 2,511 housing units at an average density of 91.6 per square mile (35.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.74% White, 0.22% African American, 0.04% Native American, 2.02% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.76% of the population.[6]

Of the 2,465 households, 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.8% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.7% were non-families. 12.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.23 individuals.[7]

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 37% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. The sex ratio is 94.3 males per 100 females.[7]

The median income for a household in the town was $132,000, and the median income for a family was $155,227. Males had a median income of $101,636 versus $83,333 for females. The per capita income for the town was $59,546. About 2.2% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.[7]

Arts and culture[edit]

2021 Easton Fireman's Carnival

Places within Easton listed on the National Register of Historic Places include Aspetuck Historic District, Ida Tarbell House, and Bradley-Hubbell House. The annual Easton Fireman's Carnival is an event run by the Easton Fire Department that occurs every summer. It features games and food in addition to rides provided by the Stewart Amusement Company. The carnival's proceeds help pay the yearly operating costs, improvements to house and equipment, and high priority gear. In 2020, the carnival was canceled for the first time in 63 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8][9]

Easton's centuries-old Union Cemetery is a well-known ghost-hunting site, called one of the "most haunted" sites in the United States.[10]

Government[edit]

Historically, Easton has been a reliably Republican stronghold. In 1964, it was one of only eleven Connecticut towns to vote for Barry Goldwater, and the only one to give him more than 60% of the vote.[11] However, in 2016, town residents voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton with a plurality.[12] In 2020, Joe Biden improved upon the Democratic margin in the town.[13]

Easton town vote
by party in presidential elections[14]
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020 55.29% 2,777 43.36% 2,178 1.35% 68
2016 48.67% 2,203 47.08% 2,131 4.24% 192
2012 43.16% 1,841 55.79% 2,380 1.05% 45
2008 49.47% 2,238 49.93% 2,259 0.60% 27
2004 44.34% 2,002 54.53% 2,462 1.13% 51
2000 42.76% 1,783 52.18% 2,176 5.06% 211
1996 38.86% 1,475 50.16% 1,904 10.99% 417
1992 30.85% 1,232 47.80% 1,909 21.36% 853
1988 29.94% 1,106 68.65% 2,536 1.41% 52
1984 24.83% 895 74.79% 2,696 0.39% 14
1980 23.91% 821 64.11% 2,201 11.97% 411
1976 29.38% 921 69.92% 2,192 0.70% 22
1972 23.77% 681 74.24% 2,127 1.99% 57
1968 27.05% 655 68.07% 1,648 4.87% 118
1964 38.09% 801 61.91% 1,302 0.00% 0
1960 24.39% 466 75.61% 1,445 0.00% 0
1956 14.79% 251 85.21% 1,446 0.00% 0
1952 17.87% 262 76.74% 1,125 5.39% 79
Voter registration and party enrollment as of November 5, 2018[15]
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Republican 1,793 68 1,861 31.67%
Democratic 1,487 60 1,547 26.33%
Unaffiliated 2,320 68 2,388 40.64%
Minor parties 75 5 80 1.36%
Total 5,675 201 5,876 100%

2019 municipality election[edit]

Easton was seen as a shifting-liberal town in the wake of the 2019 municipality election. In the First Selectman election, Democrat David Bindelglass won, defeating Republican Wendy Bowditch.[16][17] It was an upset, as Easton is known to be a solid-Republican stronghold.

Education[edit]

Easton has three schools: Samuel Staples Elementary school, for children in grades from kindergarten to 5th grade, Helen Keller Middle School, for children in grades 6 through 8, and the private school Easton Country Day for children K–12 (formerly Phoenix Academy). High school students attend Joel Barlow High School in Redding.

Media[edit]

Easton is served by multiple TV stations, notably WTNH, WFSB, WVIT, among many others.[18] Easton is also served by New York City Metropolitan Area stations because the town is in that area.[18] Easton also is in the radius of many radio stations. Most notably WSHU, WFOX, WEBE, and WEZN.

Newspapers[edit]

Easton has many local newspapers of its own, but most of them are not well documented, with almost no info on them online. Despite this, these newspapers are printed and physical.

Easton Courier (1978–2018)[edit]

The Easton Courier began production in 1978.[19] It was a print newspaper, different than its successor in 2020. It stopped publication in 2018 due to a lack of advertisements.[19]

Easton Courier (2020–present)[edit]

The successor to the Easton Courier began work in 2018 after its closure. It began when Jim Castonguay, Director of the School of Communications, Media and the Arts at Sacred Heart University, reached out to former Easton Courier chief editor Nancy Doniger via LinkedIn, proposing the idea of a news publication created by students and faculty partnered up with the citizens of Easton. Local leaders embraced the idea after being presented with it.[20] The newspaper began publication on February 29, 2020, as an online source with involvement from the town government. Since the newspaper is a nonprofit, it runs on donations from the public. An article asking for your donation remains continuously on the newspaper's website[19][21] due to that fact. A new article about donations appeared on December 18, 2021,[22] but it isn't continuously being featured.

Infrastructure[edit]

Easton Volunteer Emergency Medical Service

Emergency medical services[edit]

Easton Volunteer Emergency Medical Service was established in 1946 and currently has two ambulances, a staff of three Chief officers, two career technicians and 29 volunteers.[23]

Fire department[edit]

Easton is protected by eight paid firefighters of the Easton Fire Department (EFD) and the volunteer firefighters of the Easton Volunteer Fire Company # 1. Founded in 1921, EFD operates out of one fire station, and runs an apparatus fleet of three engines, one attack engine, one haz-mat unit, one brush unit, and one command vehicle. The Easton Fire Department responds to over 500 emergency calls annually. In 2015, the fire department responded to 539 incidents.[24]

Police department[edit]

The Easton Police Department includes a K9 unit, D.A.R.E, and an animal control unit.[25] The Easton Police Explorer Post 2001 is an affiliated with the department.[26] Easton Police are also first responders for all EMS calls in town. They are all certified EMR's or EMT's and can provide oxygen, perform basic first aid, and defibrillation.[27]

Bridge[edit]

The Route 59 bridge in Easton, which carries more than 10,000 cars and trucks every day over the Mill River, has a substructure rated in critical condition by state safety inspectors. In 2007, the bridge was one of 12 in the southwestern part of the state with "critical" safety inspection ratings.[28]

Bridge Construction[edit]

In 2019, construction was conducted on a South Park Avenue bridge over Mill River[29] which ended in the summer of 2020.[30] In May 2021, construction on another bridge on South Park Avenue began[31][32] which ended in December of the same year.[33]

Notable people[edit]

Sister cities[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ "Selectmen | Easton CT".
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Easton
  3. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Easton town, Fairfield County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  4. ^ "A Message From First Selectman David Bindelglass". Easton CT Government. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  5. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. ^ a b c "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  8. ^ Nelson, Bruce (July 25, 2020). "The Easton Volunteer Fire Company Carnival – A Multi-Generation Love Affair". Easton Courier. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  9. ^ A History of the Easton Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Inc (PDF). 1996.
  10. ^ Rogak, Lisa (2004). Stones and Bones of New England: A Guide to Unusual, Historic, and Otherwise Notable Cemeteries. Globe Pequot. ISBN 0-7627-3000-5.
  11. ^ Statement of Vote, General Election, November 3, 1964
  12. ^ "Connecticut Election Results 2016". The New York Times. August 2017.
  13. ^ "Connecticut Election Results". The New York Times. November 3, 2020.
  14. ^ "General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current". CT.gov. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  15. ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of November 5, 2018" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2006. Retrieved October 2, 2006.
  16. ^ "Town of Easton Municipal Election November 5, 2019: UPDATE with Recanvass Results... OFFICIAL WINNERS" (PDF). November 5, 2019.
  17. ^ "Bindelglass wins in Easton". November 5, 2019.
  18. ^ a b "Availability Report - NoCable".
  19. ^ a b c "Please Support the Courier". December 26, 2020.
  20. ^ "Easton's Local Newspaper to Make a Comeback with Citizen Support - Easton Courier". Easton Courier. February 19, 2020.
  21. ^ "Easton Courier". Easton Courier. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  22. ^ "Please Support the Courier". December 30, 2021.
  23. ^ "About Us". Easton Volunteer Emergency Medical Service. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011.
  24. ^ Waugh, Steven. "Town of Easton Annual Report 2015" (PDF). Town of Easton, CT. p. 21. Retrieved November 2, 2018. Currently there are more than 20 active firefighters serving in the Fire Company. [...] There are currently eight career firefighters who are on staff with the Easton Fire Department. The firehouse is staffed by a rotating crew of two firefighters working a 24 hour shift. This provides staffing in the Fire House 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Many times during the workweek, due to Easton being a bedroom community, the "on-duty" firefighters are at times, the only ones responding to calls. In addition to their other duties, the career firefighters perform the crucial task of maintaining the Town's firefighting equipment.
  25. ^ "Easton Police Explorers Calendar of Upcoming Events". Archived from the original on May 10, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  26. ^ "Home". Easton Police Explorer Post 2001. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  27. ^ "Response to Calls". Easton Volunteer Emergency Medical Service. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011.
  28. ^ Kaplan, Thomas, Martineau, Kim, and Kauffman, Matthew, "12 state bridges are judged to be in critical condition" article in The Advocate of Stamford, Connecticut, article reprinted from The Hartford Courant, August 5, 2007, pp. 1, A6
  29. ^ "Heavily-traveled road to be closed in Easton for months". June 11, 2019.
  30. ^ "South Park Bridge Opens". June 24, 2020.
  31. ^ "Press Release: Bridge Closure on South Park Avenue at Riverside Beginning May 7, 2021". Easton. May 4, 2021.
  32. ^ Easton Department of Public Works (May 4, 2021). "Press Release: BRIDGE CLOSED - South Park Ave Bridge Near Riverside" (PDF). Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  33. ^ "South Park Avenue Bridge Reconstruction Completed". December 4, 2021.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E3DA153DF93BA25753C1A9649C8B63&sec=&pagewanted=print Kaufman, Joanne. "Weekender: Easton, Conn." article in The New York Times, October 12, 2002, accessed September 25, 2006
  35. ^ Ikenson, Ben (2004). Patents: Ingenious Inventions : how They Work and how They Came to be. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-57912-367-3.
  36. ^ "A Message From First Selectman David Bindelglass". Easton CT Government. Retrieved March 24, 2023.-95/

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Easton, Connecticut.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Easton, Connecticut.
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