ZIP Code 06615

Stratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is situated on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River. It was settled by Puritans in 1639. The population was 52,355 as of the 2020 census. Stratford was the site of the first Anglican church in Connecticut, founded in 1707 and ministered by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson. The theater at its peak in the 60s and 70s had personalities like Michael Khan, John Percy Burrell, Lawrence Langner, and philanthropist Joseph Verner Reed. The town is in the Bridgeport-Norwalk Metropolitan Statistical Area. It has a historical legacy in aviation, the military, and theater. It also has a long history of being home to the U.S. Army Air Corps and the Army National Guard, which was based in Stratford for much of the 20th century. The city's name was changed in 1643 to honor William Shakespeare's birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon in England. The name was later changed again to Stratford, in honor of the town's founder, Reverend Adam Blakeman, who ruled from 1665 until his death in 1665. Many descendants of the original founding Puritan families remain in the town today after over 350 years; for centuries they often intermarried within the original small group of 17th century Pilgrim families. Over time it gave rise to several new towns that broke off and incorporated separately, including Trumbull and Shelton.

History

Stratford was founded in 1639 by Puritan leader Reverend Adam Blakeman, William Beardsley, and either 16 or 35 families. In 1640 the community was known as Cupheag, a Native American Paugussett word meaning "at the enclosed place" or "place of shelter" In 1643 the name Stratford was changed to honor William Shakespeare's birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon in England. Many descendants of the original founding Puritan families remain in Stratford today after over 350 years; for centuries they often intermarried within the original small group of 17th century Pilgrim families. Other towns such as Cambria, New York (now Lockport) were founded or expanded around new churches by Stratford descendants taking part in the westward migration. U.S. President Gerald Ford was a descendant of one of the Stratford founding families, that was led by William Judson. The theater, at its peak in the 60s and 70s, had personalities like Michael Houseman, John Houseman and Katharine Hepburn. Failure to adapt to the market led to its closure in 1989 and the opening of a new theater in New York City, the Shubert Theatre, in 2000. The Shubert Theater is now the home of the American Shakespeare Festival, which runs through the end of the year. It is located on the banks of the Connecticut River, near the town of Fairfield. It was the site of the first Anglican church in Connecticut, founded in 1707 by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.9 square miles (52 km²) The town contains five islands, all in the Housatonic River. These are Carting Island, Long Island, Peacock Island, and Pope's Flat north of Interstate 95, as well as Goose Island. None of these islands are habitable because of their low elevations. A sixth island known as Brinsmade Island washed away prior to 1964. The central part of the beach is a nature reserve whose land is set aside for wildlife, such as American kestrels and ospreys. The beach has 1,000 feet of frontage with a concession stand, bathrooms, a deck and lifeguards. The park is also home to Short Beach Golf Course, a nine-hole par-3 course. The cottages were demolished in fall 2010, which were once the site of about 40 cottings, which are now on the land. The town's discontinuation of the town's lease to the land is known as the 'no-no' rule. The city of Stratford has a minimum elevation of zero feet above sea level along its coastline, with a maximum altitude of 295 feet (90 m) near its northern border, and an average elevation of 23 feet (7.0 m) in the area around the town. The U.S. Census Bureau conducted this study to determine the population density of the city and the area surrounding it.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 51,384 people, 20,095 households, and 13,614 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,919.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,127.2/km²) The racial makeup of the town was 76.4% White, 14.3% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.4%. Asian, 0,1% Pacific Islander, 4.2%. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.8%. The median income for a household in the city was $53,494, and $64,364 for a family. About 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 5.7% ofThose age 65 or over. The town is home to the U.S. Army National Guard, which has been stationed in the area since the 1950s. It is also the site of the National Guard’s first base, which was established in 1858. The U.N. has a presence in the region, with a presence of more than 1,000 troops. The National Guard has been present since the early 1900s, and is based at the base since the mid-20th century. It also has a military base at the Fort McHenry, which is located in the northern part of the state. The base is the only one of its kind in the United States. It has been there since the 1940s.

Industry

The Vought-Sikorsky Aircraft Division in Stratford built a total of 7,829 F4U fighters from 1940 to 1952, including the prototype. Every Marine One (the helicopter of the President of the United States) has been manufactured there since 1957. The Stratford Army Engine Plant (SAEP) was a U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command installation and manufacturing facility, located along the Housatonic River and Main Street opposite Sikorsky Airport. The United States Army, which owns the 78-acre (320,000 m2) site, auctioned it off on March 19, 2008, with a winning bid of $9,612,000 which also includes the 1,720,000-square-foot (160,000m2) facility of over fifty buildings. The bid failed to be paid off and is now being placed for rebid. Currently Robert Hartmann of Hartmann Development has a $1 billion plan to develop the former Army engine plant into a destination resort. On July 20, 2015, Lockheed Martin announced an agreement to purchase Sikorky Aircraft from UTC for $9 billion. The town is home to the headquarters of Sikorski Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin (LMT) subsidiary founded by Igor Sikorssky, developer of the first successful American helicopter. The company is still the town's largest employer, with more than 1,000 people working for it. The city is also home to a number of non-alcoholic craft beer companies, including Athletic Brewing Company.

Transportation

Stratford (Metro-North station) is a stop on the New Haven Line, 59 miles (95 km) east of Grand Central Terminal. Sikorsky Memorial Airport is owned by the City of Bridgeport. In 2019, 155 aircraft were based at the airport, with an average of 136 operations per day. Stratford is served by several major highways, including Interstate 95 (Connecticut Turnpike), U.S. Route 1 (Boston Post Road) (Boston Avenue and Barnum Avenue), the Merritt Parkway (Route 15), Route 108 (Nichols Avenue and King Street), Route 110 (East Main Street and River Road), and Route 130 (stratford Avenue and Ferry Boulevard). In January 1983 a truck slammed into a line of cars waiting to pay a toll on Interstate 95 in Stratford, killing seven people. This accident was one of the reasons toll booths were removed throughout the state. The station platforms are only long enough to handle four cars and the station has limited parking for fewer than 300 vehicles. It has three ticket machines, a bus connection to neighboring Bridgeport, and handicapped access. It is located on the Connecticut River, which runs through the town. The town is home to the Connecticut State Museum, which was built in the early 1900s. It was the first state museum in the United States, opening in 1875. The museum is located in the former town of Stratford and is now part of the University of Connecticut. The city is also the site of the Connecticut Shakespeare Festival, which opened in 1876.

Government

The Town of Stratford operated under a council-manager government from 1921 until 2005 when it changed to a mayor-council type of government. The first mayor, James Miron, was elected in November 2005 to a four-year term. The town has a ten-member town council, elected by district to two-year terms. It appoints one of its members to serve as chairman. The mayor and the council are responsible for setting policy through the enactment of ordinances and resolutions. The current Mayor is Laura R. Hoydick (R) who was elected to the position in November 2013. The second mayor was John Harkins, elected in December 2003. The third mayor was James Hiron, elected on November 4, 2004. The fourth mayor was John Hiron on November 6, 2005. The fifth mayor is Laura R. Hoydick, elected for a three-yearterm in November 2007. The sixth mayor is John Harkin, elected to a two- year term in November 2008. The seventh mayor is Laura H Boydick, who has been in office since November 2010. The eighth mayor is David Hatton, who is currently serving a one-year-term. The ninth mayor is Paul Curnow, whose term ends in December 2012. The tenth mayor is Peter Harnett, who served a four year term from 2007 to 2011. The last mayor to serve a full term was David Harnet, who was in office from 2011 to 2013.

Emergency services

Stratford Emergency Medical Service (SEMS) is the municipal EMS provider to the Town of Stratford. The fire department operates out of four stations located throughout the town. The Stratford Police Department has a force of 98 officers. Stratford also has a boat patrol, a K-9 unit, and an animal control unit. The town has a population of 4,000. It is located on the banks of the Thames River, which flows through the center of the city. It has an average population of 5,000, with an average of 2,000 residents per year. The city has an estimated population of 3,500, with a average of 1,500 residents per city. The population of the town is 3,200, with the average population per city being 2,500. It also has one of the highest crime rates in the state, with more than 1,000 calls for service every day. The police department has 98 officers, and responds to approximately 6000 calls annually. The emergency medical services service responds to about 7300 calls every year. It was established in 1977, and is the state-licensed, third-service, advanced life support (paramedic) and basic life support, municipal EMS service provider. The department has four engine companies, a truck company, a rescue unit and a shift commander along with several specialized response units. The Fire Department has 4 engine companies and four stations. It responds to around 6000 calls per year, and has four fire trucks and a rescue team.

Education

Stratford has 13 schools: two high schools, two middle schools, and nine elementary schools. The district has about 6,800 students and 1,095 staff, including 577 teachers, counselors, and specialists. The Connecticut School of Broadcasting maintains a location in Stratford and certifies students in television anchoring, commercial radio performance and journalism. The Porter and Chester Institute's main campus provides training programs in automotive technology, CAD, electronics, HVAC, medical assistance, and other trades. The Stratford School for Aviation Maintenance Technicians is located at Sikorsky Memorial Airport. The town has two private (Catholic) elementary and middle schools: St. James School (K8) and St. Mark School (k8) The town also has one public high school, Stratford High School, and one public middle school, St. Paul's Middle School, both in the town of Stratford. The city is home to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has one of the largest bases in the United States, based in New York City's Fort McHenry, New York. It is also home to a number of military bases, such as the Army Air Force Base, the Air Force Reserve Base, and the Army National Guard Base, which is based in Fort Worth, Texas. It also has a naval base, which was built in World War II. It has a post-marine base, the Naval Postgraduate School, which opened in the 1950s.

Local attractions

The National Helicopter Museum contains a photographic history of the helicopter and model helicopters. The 30-acre (120,000 m2) Boothe homestead in the Putney area of Stratford is a rolling parkland. The American Shakespeare Theatre featured such actors as Katharine Hepburn, James Earl Jones, Paul Newman, Jessica Tandy, Jane Alexander, Hal Holbrook, Roddy McDowall, Nina Foch and Will Geer. A tollbooth that was in service from 1940 to 1988 on Connecticut's Merritt Parkway is on display in Boothe Memorial Park. Sterling House hosts recreational and leisure activities for adults and children, charity events, and volunteer activities. Stratford Center Historic District is home to the Washington Bridge and the Stratford Point Lighthouse. The town has a National Register of Historic Places listing for the Sterling House and several other historic buildings. The Town has also listed a number of sites on the U.S. National Register of Historic Builders and Designers for the Stratford Center Historic District, which dates back to the 19th century. The city has also had a National Reconstruction District, which was built in the 1930s and 1940s, and has been the site of the National Reservation of Historic Places and Sites for the U.S Commission of the Historical Park and National Commissioner of Engineering.

Air Quality, Water Quality, Superfund Sites & UV Index

The Air Quality index is in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut = 7.8. These Air Quality index is based on annual reports from the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The number of ozone alert days is used as an indicator of air quality, as are the amounts of seven pollutants including particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and volatile organic chemicals. The Water Quality Index is 32. A measure of the quality of an area’s water supply as rated by the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The EPA has a complex method of measuring the watershed quality, using 15 indicators such as pollutants, turbidity, sediments, and toxic discharges. The Superfund Sites Index is 30. Higher is better (100=best). Based upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts. The UV Index in Stratford = 3.4 and is a measure of an area's exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. This is most often a combination of sunny weather, altitude, and latitude. The UV Index has been defined by the WHO (www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-the-ultraviolet-(uv)-index) and is uniform worldwide.

Employed

The most recent city population of 52,355 individuals with a median age of 42.6 age the population dropped by -2.46% in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut population since 2000 and are distributed over a density of 2,974.7 residents per square mile of area (1,148.5/km²). There are average 2.48 people per household in the 19,474 households with an average household income of $65,636 a year. The unemployment rate in Alabama is 9.20% of the available work force and has dropped -3.24% over the most recent 12-month period and the projected change in job supply over the next decade based on migration patterns, economic growth, and other factors will increase by 24.32%. The number of physicians in Stratford per 100,000 population = 301.6.

Weather

The annual rainfall in Stratford = 41.5 inches and the annual snowfall = 27 inches. The annual number of days with measurable precipitation (over .01 inch) = 118. The average number of days per year that are predominantly sunny = 176. 82 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily high temperature for the month of July and 22.9 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily low temperature for the month of January. The Comfort Index (higher=better) is 46, where higher values mean a more pleasant climate. The Comfort Index measure recognizes that humidity by itself isn't the problem. (Have you noticed nobody ever complains about the weather being 'cold and humid?) It's in the summertime that we notice the humidity the most, when it's hot and muggy. Our Comfort Index uses a combination of afternoon summer temperature and humidity to closely predict the effect that the humidity will have on people.

Median Home Cost

The percentage of housing units in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut which are owned by the occupant = 76.79%. A housing unit is a house, apartment, mobile home, or room occupied as separate living quarters. The average age of homes = 52 years with median home cost = $212,850 and home appreciation of -10.04%. This is the value of the years most recent home sales data. Its important to note that this is not the average (or arithmetic mean). The median home price is the middle value when you arrange all the sales prices of homes from lowest to highest. This is a better indicator than the average, because the median is not changed as much by a few unusually high or low values. The property tax rate of $13.56 shown here is the rate per $1,000 of home value. If for simplification for example the tax rate is $14.00 and the home value is $250,000, the property tax would be $14.00 x ($250,000/1000), or $3500. This is the 'effective' tax rate.

Study

The local school district spends $7,282 per student. There are 16.1 students for each teacher in the school, 447 students for each Librarian and 492 students for each Counselor. 5.94% of the area’s population over the age of 25 with an Associate Degree or other 2-year college degree, 15.32% with a master’s degree, Ph.D. or other advanced college degree and 10.13% with high school diplomas or high school equivalency degrees (GEDs).