Barkhamsted, Connecticut

Barkhamsted (/bɑːrkˈhæmstɛd/ bark-HAM-sted) is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. It contains seven villages: West Hill, Mallory, Barkhamsted Center, Center Hill, Washington Hill, Pleasant Valley, and Riverton. The population was 3,647 at the 2020 census,[3] down from 3,799 at the 2010 census. The town is part of the Northwest Hills Planning Region. Barkhamsted was first incorporated in 1779, and named after Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England.[4][5]

Barkhamsted
Town
Town of Barkhamsted
View of the Barkhamsted Reservoir
View of the Barkhamsted Reservoir
Official seal of Barkhamsted
Seal
Barkhamsted's location within Litchfield County and Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°55′45″N 72°58′20″W
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyLitchfield
RegionNorthwest Hills
Incorporated1779
Government
 • TypeSelectman-town meeting
 • First SelectmanDonald S. Stein (D)
 • SelectmanRaymond P. Pech (D)
 • SelectmanNicholas A. Lukiwsky (R)
Area
 • Total38.8 sq mi (100.6 km2)
 • Land36.3 sq mi (93.9 km2)
 • Water2.6 sq mi (6.7 km2)
Elevation
[1]
607 ft (185 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total3,647
 • Density100/sq mi (38.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
06063, 06065
Area codes860/959
FIPS code09-02760
GNIS feature ID0213386[1]
Websitebarkhamsted.us

Geography

The town is in northeastern Litchfield County and is bordered to the north and east by Hartford County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 42.7 square miles (110.6 km2), of which 36.3 square miles (93.9 km2) are land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2), or 6.63%, are water.[6] Major bodies of water include Barkhamsted Reservoir, the primary water source for Hartford; Lake McDonough, and the Farmington River. A high percentage of the land in the town is owned by the state of Connecticut as state forest (Peoples State Forest, American Legion State Forest, Tunxis State Forest, and Enders State Forest) and by the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) as water supply area.

U.S. Route 44 crosses the southwest part of the town, leading southeast 22 miles (35 km) to Hartford and northwest 20 miles (32 km) to North Canaan.

Principal communities

Climate
Climate data for Barkhamsted, Massachusetts (2000–2020 temperature normals, extremes 2000-present, 1991-2020 precipitation normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 68
(20)		 78
(26)		 80
(27)		 93
(34)		 95
(35)		 97
(36)		 99
(37)		 99
(37)		 96
(36)		 87
(31)		 79
(26)		 70
(21)		 99
(37)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 55
(13)		 57
(14)		 66
(19)		 81
(27)		 89
(32)		 92
(33)		 94
(34)		 92
(33)		 88
(31)		 79
(26)		 70
(21)		 59
(15)		 96
(36)
Average high °F (°C) 34.2
(1.2)		 37.0
(2.8)		 45.5
(7.5)		 59.3
(15.2)		 70.0
(21.1)		 78.4
(25.8)		 84.2
(29.0)		 82.3
(27.9)		 75.7
(24.3)		 62.6
(17.0)		 50.9
(10.5)		 39.3
(4.1)		 59.4
(15.2)
Daily mean °F (°C) 24.9
(−3.9)		 26.6
(−3.0)		 34.7
(1.5)		 47.1
(8.4)		 58.1
(14.5)		 67.1
(19.5)		 72.8
(22.7)		 70.9
(21.6)		 64.0
(17.8)		 51.7
(10.9)		 40.9
(4.9)		 30.6
(−0.8)		 48.6
(9.2)
Average low °F (°C) 15.7
(−9.1)		 16.3
(−8.7)		 23.9
(−4.5)		 34.9
(1.6)		 46.2
(7.9)		 55.8
(13.2)		 61.5
(16.4)		 59.5
(15.3)		 52.3
(11.3)		 40.8
(4.9)		 31.0
(−0.6)		 21.9
(−5.6)		 37.8
(3.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −4
(−20)		 −1
(−18)		 6
(−14)		 23
(−5)		 31
(−1)		 43
(6)		 51
(11)		 49
(9)		 38
(3)		 27
(−3)		 16
(−9)		 7
(−14)		 −6
(−21)
Record low °F (°C) −12
(−24)		 −20
(−29)		 −8
(−22)		 16
(−9)		 8
(−13)		 37
(3)		 38
(3)		 44
(7)		 29
(−2)		 19
(−7)		 2
(−17)		 −4
(−20)		 −20
(−29)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.57
(91)		 3.21
(82)		 4.09
(104)		 3.89
(99)		 3.94
(100)		 4.85
(123)		 4.52
(115)		 4.31
(109)		 4.75
(121)		 5.18
(132)		 3.83
(97)		 4.58
(116)		 50.84
(1,291)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 14.3
(36)		 14.2
(36)		 9.3
(24)		 0.8
(2.0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0.4
(1.0)		 2.0
(5.1)		 9.2
(23)		 47.9
(122)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) 9
(23)		 10
(25)		 10
(25)		 1
(2.5)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 1
(2.5)		 7
(18)		 15
(38)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 11 9 10 11 13 12 12 10 10 11 10 11 132
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 5 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 18
Source: NOAA[7]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18201,592—
18501,524—
18601,272−16.5%
18701,43913.1%
18801,297−9.9%
18901,130−12.9%
1900864−23.5%
19108650.1%
1920719−16.9%
1930697−3.1%
19407243.9%
195094630.7%
19601,37044.8%
19702,06650.8%
19802,93542.1%
19903,36914.8%
20003,4943.7%
20103,7998.7%
20203,647−4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income

As of 2010 Barkhamsted had a population of 3,799. The racial composition of the population was 97.5% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.6% from some other race and 1.1% reporting two or more races. 1.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.[9]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 3,494 people, 1,334 households, and 1,036 families residing in the town. The population density was 96.5 inhabitants per square mile (37.3/km2). There were 1,436 housing units at an average density of 39.6 per square mile (15.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.54% White, 0.06% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.89% of the population.

There were 1,334 households, out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.2% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 16.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $65,972, and the median income for a family was $73,218. Males had a median income of $51,925 versus $38,102 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,961. About 1.8% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 29, 2019[11]
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Republican 884 18 902 30.88%
Democratic 705 15 720 24.65%
Unaffiliated 1,216 37 1,253 42.90%
Minor Parties 44 2 46 1.57%
Total 2,849 72 2,921 100%
Presidential Election Results[12][13]
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020 47.3% 1,154 50.3% 1,228 2.4% 60
2016 41.3% 905 52.8% 1,157 5.9% 131
2012 49.1% 1,033 49.1% 1,033 1.8% 39
2008 54.6% 1,223 43.2% 969 2.2% 50
2004 52.0% 1,124 46.1% 995 1.9% 42
2000 48.0% 832 44.7% 832 7.3% 136
1996 43.3% 735 39.9% 677 16.8% 285
1992 41.7% 779 31.7% 779 26.6% 496
1988 47.9% 772 50.8% 820 1.3% 21
1984 31.2% 467 68.6% 1,026 0.2% 3
1980 27.4% 389 53.2% 755 19.4% 275
1976 38.7% 473 60.8% 742 0.5% 6
1972 31.1% 345 67.8% 750 1.1% 12
1968 37.3% 295 55.6% 439 7.1% 56
1964 53.2% 348 46.8% 306 0.00% 0
1960 32.3% 219 67.7% 458 0.00% 0
1956 16.8% 89 83.2% 440 0.00% 0

Services

The town of Barkhamsted has one elementary school, in the village of Pleasant Valley.

Its high school and middle school students attend Northwestern Regional Middle School and Northwestern Regional High School, of the Northwestern Regional School District No. 7, in neighboring Winsted. Barkhamsted schoolchildren attend the Regional High/Middle School with students from three neighboring towns, New Hartford, Norfolk, and Colebrook.[14]

Barkhamsted has three fire departments: the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Riverton Volunteer Fire Company, and Barkhamsted East Volunteer Fire Company. The town employs one paid daytime driver/firefighter to assist the volunteers during normal work hours.

Emergency medical care is provided by the Winsted Area Ambulance Association, the New Hartford Volunteer Ambulance Association, and a Campion paramedic. Both Winsted and New Hartford are volunteer-based services.

Transportation

There is no public transportation in Barkhamsted. The principal means of transportation is the automobile. The primary state highways in town are Route 44, Route 20, Route 219, Route 318, and Route 181. The village of Riverton is located along Route 20 and the village of Pleasant Valley is off Route 44 (via Route 318). Bradley International Airport is approximately 15 miles east.

Notable locations
A general store in 1906 in Riverton

Barkhamsted is home of the historic Saville Dam, forming Barkhamsted Reservoir, and Peoples State Forest, where the Stone Museum is located.[15]

Within the Barkhamsted Reservoir lie the foundations of Barkhamsted Hollow, the historic center of town that was purchased by the Metropolitan District Commission of Connecticut in the early 20th century to create a reservoir to serve the Hartford area. This area was flooded following the construction of the Saville Dam on the East Branch of the Farmington River, and took eight years to fill.

Just south of the Barkhamsted Reservoir is Lake McDonough, also known as the compensating reservoir and owned by the MDC. Originally created to ensure the riparian rights of downstream mill owners, this lake now serves the recreational interests of the surrounding area with beaches, boating, and fishing.

The hamlet of Pleasant Valley contains the Pleasant Valley General Store, the Barkhamsted Elementary School, the Pleasant Valley Drive-In, the post office (ZIP Code 06063), and the town hall.

The hamlet of Riverton holds a post office (ZIP Code 06065), the Riverton General Store, the Riverton Inn, the Royal Coachman Tavern, the Riverton Congregational Church, the grange, and the fair grounds. This is also the location of the annual Riverton Fair, which takes place the second weekend of October each year, and is Connecticut's last fair of the year.

The West Branch of the Farmington River is designated as a Wild and Scenic River. It runs through the villages of Riverton and Pleasant Valley and hosts fishermen year-round in the catch-and-release section. On the opening day of fishing season each year, a fishing tournament is held in Riverton, drawing anglers from Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.

On the National Register of Historic Places
"West view of Hitchcocksville, Barkhamsted" by John Warner Barber, 1830s

References
School, from a postcard c. 1908
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Barkhamsted, Connecticut
  2. U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates
  3. "Census - Geography Profile: Barkhamsted town, Litchfield County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  4. "Connecticut Towns in the Order of their Establishment". www.sots.ct.gov. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  5. The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 330.
  6. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Barkhamsted town, Litchfield County, Connecticut". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  7. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. 2010 population by race and Hispanic or Latino by place chart for Connecticut from the US Census
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 29, 2019" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  12. "General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current". CT Secretary of State. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  13. "Election Night Reporting". CT Secretary of State. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  14. "About Us". Northwestern Regional School District No. 7. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  15. "Stone Museum in Peoples State Forest Pleasant Valley". Archived from the original on April 19, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
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