Wallingford, Connecticut

Wallingford
Town
Town of Wallingford
Downtown Wallingford, CT
Downtown Wallingford
Flag of Wallingford
Flag
Official seal of Wallingford
Seal
Motto: 
"A Great New England Town"[1]
Wallingford's location within New Haven County and Connecticut
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates: 41°27′23″N 72°48′15″W / 41.45639°N 72.80417°W / 41.45639; -72.80417
CountryUnited States
U.S. stateConnecticut
CountyNew Haven
RegionSouth Central CT
MSAGreater New Haven
CSANew York
Established1670
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • MayorVincent Cervoni (R)
 • Town Council
  • Joe Marrone (R), Chair
  • Christina Tatta (R), Vice Chair
  • Craig C. Fishbein (R)
  • Thomas Laffin (R)
  • Autumn Allinson (R)
  • Chris Regan (R)
  • Sam Carmody (D)
  • Jesse Reynolds (D)
  • Vincent F. Testa, Jr. (D)
Area
 • Total39.9 sq mi (103.3 km2)
 • Land39.0 sq mi (101.1 km2)
 • Water0.9 sq mi (2.2 km2)
Elevation
151 ft (46 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total44,396
 • Density1,100/sq mi (430/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Codes
06492, 06493
Area code(s)203/475
FIPS code09-78740
GNIS feature ID0213522
Websitewww.wallingfordct.gov

Wallingford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, centrally located between New Haven and Hartford, and Boston and New York City. The town is part of the South Central Connecticut Planning Region. The population was 44,396 at the 2020 census.[2] The community was named after Wallingford, in England.[3]

History

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The Connecticut General Assembly created the town on October 10, 1667. This original plot of land near the Quinnipiac River is now considered Main Street. Starting on May 12, 1670, there were 126 people who lived in temporary housing, and five years later in 1675 there were 40 permanent homes.[4]

In 1697 Wallingford was the site of the last witchcraft trial in New England. Winifred Benham was thrice tried for witchcraft and acquitted all three times.[5]

The 1878 Wallingford tornado struck on August 9 of that year. It killed at least 29 and possibly as many as 34 people in Wallingford, the most by any tornado event in Connecticut history.

Wallingford is home to a large variety of industries and major corporations spanning the spectrum of medical, healthcare, service, hi-tech specialty manufacturing and research development. The development of the Barnes Industrial Parks, Casimir Pulaski Industrial Park, Centract Park and MedWay Industrial Park have greatly contributed to a diversified tax base. An Interchange Zone which permits restrictive commercial development of office parks, research and development centers and hotels was created at the intersection of interstate 91 and Route 68.[6] The Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, the town's largest taxpayer, has established a research and development facility in Wallingford's MedWay Industrial Park. The Bristol-Myers Squibb Company moved out in 2017 and the structures were demolished in 2018.

In terms of Wallingford's manufacturing and design history, silver-producing companies like Hall, Elton & Co.,[7] Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co.[8] and R. Wallace & Sons are of particular note.[9] Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co. as well as Wallingford's Watrous Manufacturing Co. later became part of the International Silver Company, which was headquartered in the neighboring city of Meriden.[10]

  • New York Insulated Wire Company, 1910.
    New York Insulated Wire Company, 1910.
  • Library and Marlborough House, c. 1909.
    Library and Marlborough House, c. 1909.
  • Bridge and falls at Quinnipiac River in Wallingford, 1907.
    Bridge and falls at Quinnipiac River in Wallingford, 1907.

Education

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Wallingford is served by the Wallingford Public School District, which includes several elementary schools, two middle schools (Dag Hammarskjold and James H. Moran), and two high schools (Mark T. Sheehan and Lyman Hall). The district offers a range of academic programs, including Advanced Placement courses, STEM education, and arts programs. Lyman Hall High School features a specialized agricultural science program. The district also provides special education services, English language learning programs, and a variety of sports programs, including football, soccer, basketball, and track and field.[11]

Choate Rosemary Hall Campus

Private schools

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Wallingford is also home to three private schools:

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.9 square miles (103.3 km2), of which 39.0 square miles (101.1 km2) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.2 km2), or 2.16%, is water.

The town of Wallingford sits astride the Quinnipiac River in northern New Haven County, roughly 90 miles northeast of New York City. It is 5 miles (8 km) south of Meriden and about 13 miles (21 km) north of New Haven. Towns bordering Wallingford are Cheshire, Durham, Hamden, Meriden, Middlefield, North Branford and North Haven. Situated in the Hartford-New Haven-Springfield corridor, Wallingford is traversed by U.S. Route 5, Interstate 91, and State Highways Route 15 (Wilbur Cross Parkway), Route 68, Route 71 and Route 150.

Principal communities

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18202,237—
18502,595—
18603,20623.5%
18703,67614.7%
18804,68627.5%
18906,58440.5%
19009,00136.7%
191011,15523.9%
192012,0107.7%
193014,27818.9%
194014,7883.6%
195016,97614.8%
196029,92076.2%
197035,71419.4%
198037,2744.4%
199040,8229.5%
200043,0265.4%
201045,1354.9%
202044,396−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

As of 2022, Wallingford is home to approximately 44,446 residents. The racial makeup leans white (80.2%), with a notable Hispanic presence (11.6%) and smaller proportions of Asian (4.4%) and other groups. The median age sits at 44.3, indicating a blend of families and young professionals. Family households comprise 63% of the total, with 24% having children under their roof.[15]

Wallingford’s 2022 median household income was $98,456, and the median family income was $120,823.[16] The average household and family income was $115,652 and $139,258, respectively.[17] Compared to the national average, Wallingford's median income is significantly higher, putting it in the top 25% of U.S. households.

Economy

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Top employers

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Top employers in Wallingford according to the town's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report:[18]

# Employer # of Employees
1 Town of Wallingford 1,478
2 Anthem BC/BS 1,225
3 Gaylord Hospital 529
4 Community Health Network of CT 438
5 Masonic Healthcare Center 417
6 Choate Rosemary Hall 299
7 Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc. 215
8 BYK 197
9 Thurston Foods Inc 169
10 Fosdick Fulfillment Corp 157

Transportation

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Wallingford train station is served by the Hartford Line and Amtrak

Mass transit

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Wallingford is also located on the New Haven–Springfield Line, with daily passenger service to points north and south, providing direct access to New York City along with Boston via a connection in New Haven. It is served at Wallingford station by the CT Rail (Connecticut Department of Transportation) Hartford Line trains and by Amtrak's Hartford Line, Northeast Regional, and Valley Flyer.

Airports

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Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) in East Haven, Westchester County Airport in Westchester County, and Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks are the closest commercial airports to Wallingford.

Municipal electric utility

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The Wallingford Electric Division (WED) is a municipally owned utility that provides electricity to the town. Established in 1899, WED is one of Connecticut's few municipal electric utilities, operating under the town's governance. It supplies electricity to residents and businesses, and is known for offering reliable service at competitive rates.

WED is responsible for the generation, distribution, and maintenance of the town's electrical infrastructure, focusing on efficiency and reliability. The Wallingford Electric Division is overseen by the Public Utilities Commission of Wallingford, which manages its operations, finances, and strategic planning. The division's mission is to deliver cost-effective, dependable electric service while meeting the evolving needs of the community.

Sports

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In 1943 and 1944 the Boston Braves held spring training in Wallingford at Choate's Winter Exercise Building.[19] The town is the home of the Connecticut Bearcats, a New England Football League team.

Notable people

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Points of interest

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Paul Mellon Arts Center, designed by I. M. Pei.

National Register of Historic Places

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Ten buildings and districts in Wallingford are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:[33]

Citations

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  1. ^ "Town of Wallingford, Connecticut". Town of Wallingford, Connecticut. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  2. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Wallingford town, New Haven County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  3. ^ The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 335.
  4. ^ "History and Description". Town.wallingford.ct.us. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  5. ^ Demos, John Putnam. Entertaining Satan: Witchcraft and the Culture of Early New England. Oxford Press, 2004, page 409.
  6. ^ "About The Town of Wallingford, CT | Town of Wallingford". www.wallingford.ct.us. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  7. ^ (April 3, 2017). Hall, Elton & Co. designs in collections and in expositions-- and historical information. artdesigncafe. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  8. ^ (April 3, 2016). Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co. design catalogues and historical information. artdesigncafe. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  9. ^ (April 2, 2016). R. Wallace & Sons / Wallace Silversmiths design catalogues and historical information. artdesigncafe. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  10. ^ (May 15, 2016). Watrous Manufacturing Company designs, exhibitions, design catalogues and historical information. artdesigncafe. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  11. ^ "Home - Wallingford Public Schools". www.wallingford.k12.ct.us. September 2, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  12. ^ "Home - Choate Rosemary Hall". Choate.edu. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  13. ^ "Home | Heritage Baptist Church". Hbc4.me. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  14. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Wallingford town, South Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut". www.census.gov. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  16. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  17. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  18. ^ "Town of Wallingford Comprehensive Annual Financial Report For the Fiscal Year July 1, 2022- June 30, 2023" (PDF). Town of Wallingford. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  19. ^ The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia. Sterling Publishing. 2007. p. 1789. ISBN 978-1-4027-4771-7.
  20. ^ "BRADLEY, Stephen Row, (1754 - 1830)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  21. ^ "COOKE, Bates, (1787 - 1841)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  22. ^ "D.J. Cotrona". TV.com. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  23. ^ Pasquale J. DeBaise-obituary
  24. ^ "Donofrio's Unique Life Is, at Last, a Film". Los Angeles Times. October 19, 2001. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  25. ^ Galon, Buddy (2005). Dearly Departed: A Personal View of Celebrity Funerals. AuthorHouse. p. 51. ISBN 9781463488215.
  26. ^ Bradley, Edwin M. (2004). The First Hollywood Musicals: A Critical Filmography of 171 Features, 1927 Through 1932. McFarland. p. 31. ISBN 9780786420292.
  27. ^ Shulman, Ken. "Team Works". Metropolis Magazine. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  28. ^ "Phillips Collection Taps Dallas Curator To Succeed Director". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  29. ^ "World War I Flying Ace Raoul Lufbery". ConnecticutHistory.org#sthash.IEibE0Y1.dpuf. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  30. ^ "McGUIRE, John Andrew, (1906 - 1976)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  31. ^ "San Diego Reader staff bios". San Diego Reader. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  32. ^ Davison, Phil. "The Animals guitarist Hilton Valentine dies at 77". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  33. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.

General references

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