Tolland County, Connecticut

Tolland County is a county in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of the 2020 census, its population was 149,788.[1] It is incorporated into 13 towns and was originally formed on 13 October 1785 from portions of eastern Hartford County and western Windham County.

Tolland County
County
The University of Connecticut's main campus, in Storrs.
The University of Connecticut's main campus, in Storrs.
Map of Connecticut highlighting Tolland County
Location within the U.S. state of Connecticut
Map of the United States highlighting Connecticut
Connecticut's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°51′N 72°20′W
Country United States
State Connecticut
Founded1785
Named forTolland, Somerset
Seatnone (since 1960)
Tolland (1785-1889)
Rockville (1889-1960)
Largest townVernon
Area
 • Total417 sq mi (1,080 km2)
 • Land410 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water6.8 sq mi (18 km2)  1.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total149,788 Decrease
 • Density359.2/sq mi (138.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd

The county is included in the Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Counties in Connecticut have no governmental function; all legal power is vested in the state, city and town governments. The office of High Sheriff in Connecticut counties was officially abolished by ballot in 2000, and corrections and court services were transferred to the state marshals. Tolland County has the same boundaries as the Tolland Judicial District. On June 6, 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau formally recognized Connecticut's nine councils of governments as county equivalents instead of the state's eight counties. Connecticut's county governments were disbanded in 1960, and the councils of governments took over some of the local governmental functions. Connecticut's eight historical counties continue to exist in name only, and are no longer considered for statistical purposes.[2]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 417 square miles (1,080 km2), of which 410 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 6.8 square miles (18 km2) (1.6%) is water.[3] It is the second-smallest county in Connecticut by land area and smallest by total area.

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179013,251—
180014,3198.1%
181013,779−3.8%
182014,3304.0%
183018,70230.5%
184017,980−3.9%
185020,09111.7%
186020,7093.1%
187022,0006.2%
188024,1129.6%
189025,0814.0%
190024,523−2.2%
191026,4597.9%
192027,2162.9%
193028,6595.3%
194031,86611.2%
195044,70940.3%
196068,73753.7%
1970103,44050.5%
1980114,82311.0%
1990128,69912.1%
2000136,3646.0%
2010152,69112.0%
2020149,788−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790-1960[5] 1900-1990[6]
1990-2000[7] 2010-2018[8]
Old Tolland County Jail

2000 census

As of the year 2000, there were 136,364 people, 49,431 households, and 34,156 families living in the county. The population density was 332 sq mi (128/km2).[9] There were 51,570 housing units at an average density of 126 per square mile (49/km2). The ethnic and racial background of the county's population was 92.3% White, 2.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.3% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from another group, and 1.4% multiracial, while 2.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino (identifying with any race). Among European-Americans, 14.9% were of Irish, 14.1% Italian, 9.9% English, 8.8% French, 8.2% German, 8.0% Polish and 5.7% French Canadian ancestry. About 9 in 10 spoke English, while 2.9% spoke Spanish and 1.6% French as their first language.

There were 49,431 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females of any age, there were 100.6 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 99.5 men.

The median income for a household in the county was $59,044, and the median income for a family was $70,856. Men had a median income of $46,619 versus $34,255 for women. The per capita income for the county was $25,474. About 5.6% of the population and 2.9% of all families earned below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 4.6% were children, and 5.2% aged 65 or older.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 152,691 people, 54,477 households, and 36,707 families living in the county.[10] The population density was 372.2 inhabitants per square mile (143.7/km2). There were 57,963 housing units at an average density of 141.3 per square mile (54.6/km2).[11] In terms of ethnic/racial background, the 2010 Census found that most of Tolland County's residents were white (89.8%), followed by 3.4% Asian, 3.3% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 1.6% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.3% of the population.[10] In terms of European ancestry, 22.0% were Irish, 16.8% were Italian, 14.3% were English, 14.2% were German, 10.6% were Polish, 5.6% were French Canadian, while 3.5% of the population identified their ancestry as 'American'.[12]

Of the 54,477 households, 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no spouse, 32.6% were non-families, and 24.2% of all households were made up of one individual. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.0 people. The median age was 38.3 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $77,175 and the median income for a family was $91,631. Men had a median income of $62,579 versus $46,818 for women. The per capita income for the county was $33,108. About 3.2% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Income
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income

Data is from the 2010 United States Census and the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.[14][15]

Rank Town Per capita
income		 Median
household
income		 Median
family
income		 Population Number of
households
1 Bolton Town $42,312 $89,432 $93,472 4,980 1,915
2 Tolland Town $41,883 $99,764 $108,564 15,052 5,312
3 Hebron Town $39,416 $108,444 $112,894 9,686 3,398
4 Andover Town $38,710 $84,274 $96,286 3,303 1,244
5 Ellington Town $37,322 $81,582 $95,547 15,602 6,257
6 Columbia Town $36,865 $85,893 $102,353 5,485 2,154
7 Somers Town $35,134 $98,977 $108,636 11,444 3,328
8 Coventry Town $34,524 $86,244 $91,931 12,435 4,783
9 Vernon Town $33,160 $61,103 $77,649 29,179 12,976
10 Union Town $32,032 $79,911 $84,750 854 334
11 Willington Town $29,616 $62,500 $96,422 6,041 2,423
12 Stafford Town $28,027 $64,494 $69,789 12,087 4,767
13 Mansfield Town $21,579 $65,839 $84,128 26,543 5,586

Race

Data is from the 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, "Race alone or in combination with one or more other races."[16]

Rank Town Population White Black Asian American
Indian		 Other Hispanic
1 Vernon Town 29,199 88.5% 8.8% 4.0% 0.8% 1.8% 7.1%
2 Mansfield Town 26,130 84.4% 6.2% 10.7% 0.3% 1.8% 6.3%
3 Ellington Town 15,394 96.0% 1.6% 2.7% 0.3% 0.2% 1.1%
4 Tolland Town 14,931 97.2% 1.9% 2.4% 1.5% 0.4% 3.1%
5 Coventry Town 12,402 97.1% 1.6% 1.7% 0.6% 0.3% 2.1%
6 Stafford Town 12,055 97.4% 1.2% 1.6% 0.6% 0.9% 3.3%
7 Somers Town 11,385 85.3% 10.0% 2.8% 0.6% 4.0% 5.8%
8 Hebron Town 9,620 99.0% 0.0% 1.6% 0.9% 0.5% 2.4%
9 Willington Town 6,070 98.9% 3.7% 0.2% 0.7% 0.2% 2.4%
10 Columbia Town 5,449 97.8% 1.9% 1.7% 1.9% 0.4% 2.1%
11 Bolton Town 5,006 98.0% 2.9% 0.0% 0.9% 0.8% 4.5%
12 Andover Town 3,143 96.5% 3.0% 1.7% 1.3% 0.0% 0.0%
13 Union Town 990 99.4% 0.0% 0.7% 1.6% 0.0% 1.3%

Communities

Towns

Other communities

Politics

For over a century, Tolland County behaved like a typical northern Yankee Republican county in presidential elections, only voting Democratic in 1932, 1936, 1964, and 1968. However, in recent elections, Tolland County has become a Democratic leaning county, following the trend of many other counties in greater New England. This started with Bill Clinton's plurality in the 1992 election and Democrats have won the county in every presidential election since then. That being said, Tolland County has been much friendlier to Republicans in local elections, as Tolland County would still vote Republican in recent gubernatorial elections. In 2022, Governor Ned Lamont became the first Democrat to win Tolland County in a gubernatorial race since 1994.

United States presidential election results for Tolland County, Connecticut[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 34,838 43.16% 44,151 54.70% 1,725 2.14%
2016 34,194 44.16% 38,506 49.73% 4,724 6.10%
2012 30,450 42.89% 39,366 55.45% 1,175 1.66%
2008 29,266 38.76% 45,053 59.67% 1,182 1.57%
2004 31,245 43.56% 39,146 54.57% 1,338 1.87%
2000 24,705 39.40% 33,554 53.52% 4,441 7.08%
1996 19,394 33.08% 30,007 51.18% 9,224 15.73%
1992 20,632 31.16% 27,425 41.42% 18,158 27.42%
1988 28,375 50.80% 26,884 48.13% 602 1.08%
1984 32,981 61.88% 20,103 37.72% 214 0.40%
1980 22,127 43.95% 18,557 36.86% 9,662 19.19%
1976 23,703 50.41% 23,079 49.08% 242 0.51%
1972 25,798 56.45% 19,505 42.68% 394 0.86%
1968 16,666 45.47% 18,007 49.13% 1,982 5.41%
1964 9,951 30.90% 22,195 68.92% 58 0.18%
1960 15,386 51.35% 14,575 48.65% 0 0.00%
1956 15,880 63.54% 9,111 36.46% 0 0.00%
1952 13,466 58.69% 9,425 41.08% 52 0.23%
1948 9,012 52.01% 7,970 45.99% 347 2.00%
1944 8,208 51.15% 7,721 48.12% 117 0.73%
1940 7,503 49.37% 7,669 50.46% 25 0.16%
1936 5,965 45.43% 6,676 50.85% 488 3.72%
1932 5,857 51.85% 4,985 44.13% 455 4.03%
1928 6,502 59.74% 4,256 39.10% 126 1.16%
1924 5,161 62.29% 2,239 27.02% 885 10.68%
1920 5,135 66.13% 2,308 29.72% 322 4.15%
1916 2,758 54.72% 2,032 40.32% 250 4.96%
1912 2,024 42.66% 1,901 40.06% 820 17.28%
1908 2,816 57.35% 1,742 35.48% 352 7.17%
1904 2,964 58.66% 1,772 35.07% 317 6.27%
1900 2,997 61.48% 1,678 34.42% 200 4.10%
1896 5,664 67.67% 2,245 26.82% 461 5.51%
1892 4,316 51.06% 3,762 44.51% 374 4.42%
1888 4,363 52.88% 3,613 43.79% 275 3.33%
1884 3,896 50.57% 3,459 44.90% 349 4.53%

Tolland County is briefly referenced in the novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville as the place that the ill-fated African-American shipmate, Pip, comes from.

See also

References
  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Tolland County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  2. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/06/06/2022-12063/change-to-county-equivalents-in-the-state-of-connecticut Federal Register: Change to County-Equivalents in the State of Connecticut
  3. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  5. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  6. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  7. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  8. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  9. "Tolland County MapStats from FedStats". Archived from the original on February 23, 2004.
  10. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  11. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  12. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  13. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  14. "SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  15. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  16. "ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.

41.85°N 72.33°W / 41.85; -72.33

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