Litchfield County, Connecticut
According to Countryaah, Litchfield County is located in the northwestern corner of Connecticut, bordering New York and Massachusetts. It is bordered by Fairfield County to the south, New Haven County to the southeast, Hartford County to the east, Tolland County to the northeast, Hampden County in Massachusetts to the northwest, and Dutchess County in New York to the west. The county covers an area of 945 square miles and has a population of about 190,000 people.
The terrain of Litchfield County is predominantly hilly with some flat areas in the valleys along its rivers. There are several mountain ranges including Taconic Mountains along its western border with New York and Berkshires along its northern border with Massachusetts. The Housatonic River flows through Litchfield county as well as a number of smaller streams. There are also several lakes including Lake Waramaug, Bantam Lake, and Lake McDonough.
Litchfield county is home to numerous state parks including White Memorial Conservation Center which covers 4500 acres of forested land. There are also several historic sites such as Litchfield Historic District which was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and contains over 800 buildings from 1720-1850s. Other notable attractions include Lime Rock Park which hosts car races throughout the year and Mohawk Mountain Ski Area which offers skiing and snowboarding during winter months.
Demographics of Litchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County is located in the northwestern corner of Connecticut and is home to an estimated population of 190,000 people. The county has a diverse population with a mix of racial and ethnic backgrounds. According to the 2010 US Census, the racial makeup of Litchfield County was 90.3% White, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 2.2% African American, 1.3% Asian, 0.6% Native American, and 1.5% from other races.
The median household income in Litchfield County is $77,168 and the median age for residents is 45 years old. There are also approximately 40,000 households in the county with an average household size of 2.4 people per household. Approximately 25 percent of households have children under 18 living with them while 11 percent are made up of individuals living alone over 65 years old.
In terms of education level, it is estimated that 86 percent of adults over 25 have at least a high school diploma or equivalent while 34 percent have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education. The unemployment rate for Litchfield County is 3 percent which is lower than both state and national averages indicating that there are plenty of job opportunities available in this area for those looking for work.
Places of Interest in Litchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County, Connecticut is home to a variety of places of interest that are sure to keep visitors entertained. One of the most popular attractions in the area is White Memorial Conservation Center, which covers 4500 acres of forested land and provides visitors with plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, and camping. There are also several historic sites located in Litchfield County including Litchfield Historic District which was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and contains over 800 buildings from 1720-1850s.
Other notable attractions include the Lime Rock Park which hosts car races throughout the year and Mohawk Mountain Ski Area which offers skiing and snowboarding during winter months. For those looking for a more relaxing experience, Litchfield County also features several lakes including Lake Waramaug, Bantam Lake, and Lake McDonough.
For those looking for some retail therapy or dining options Litchfield County has a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes located in its many towns. Torrington is home to several antique shops as well as an array of restaurants serving everything from Italian cuisine to Mexican food. The town of Watertown offers visitors plenty of shopping opportunities at its outlets stores while New Milford features some unique boutiques and eateries along its Main Street area.
Overall, there are plenty of places to explore in Litchfield County that will keep visitors entertained throughout their stay.
Notable People of Litchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County, Connecticut is home to a variety of notable people who have made an impact in their respective fields. One such individual is Ira Aldridge, the African-American actor who gained fame for his performances in Europe throughout the 19th century. Born in New York City, Aldridge moved to Litchfield County where he attended the Episcopal Academy.
Litchfield and eventually became the first black actor to perform on a major stage in England. Another notable figure from Litchfield County is William Cowper, the poet who wrote a number of poems that are still widely read today. Cowper was born in Litchfield County and is best known for his works such as The Task, The Castaway, and Retirement.
The county also boasts several prominent politicians such as former U.S. President Millard Fillmore who was born in Locke Township in 1800. Other notable politicians include former Governor of Connecticut Jonathan Trumbull Jr., former U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, and current U.S Representative Jahana Hayes who represents the 5th district of Connecticut which includes parts of Litchfield County.
In addition to politicians, Litchfield County has also been home to many famous authors including Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Updike who wrote Rabbit Run while living in the area and Mark Twain who penned The Adventures of Tom Sawyer while living there as well. Other notable authors include Nathaniel Hawthorne, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who all have ties to Litchfield County.
Overall, Litchfield County has been home to a variety of prominent individuals throughout its history that have made a lasting impact on their respective fields.
