Berlin is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 18,215 at the 2000 census. It is home to the geographic center of Connecticut. It was incorporated in 1785. Berlin is residential and industrial, and served by the Amtrak station of the same name. Berlin includes the hamlets of Kensington, South Kensington, and East Berlin. There are 3 elementary schools, Mary E. Griswold School, Emma Hart Willard School, and Richard D. Hubbard School, as well as Catherine M. McGee Middle School, and Berlin High School.

Town Seal

The greatest boom to Berlin industry resulted from the decision of the Patterson brothers to start their business on West Street (now called Lower Lane). For twenty years until 1760, they kept their work in the family selling their wares from a basket. When demand increased they took apprentices into the shop and engaged peddlers to travel throughout the Colonies selling the shiny, useful articles.

The Town Seal was adopted from this "The Yankee Peddler" outfitted in his revolutionary dress with a basket under his arm, a pack on his back full of tin ware. As others learned the trade, they soon set up shop and hired apprentices. There were so many that the noise of the white smiths and their banging could be heard in every part of town.

History

Berlin is one of the birthplaces of interchangeable parts manufacturing and of the industrial revolution in the United States, in the workshop of Simeon North.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.0 square miles (70.0 km²), of which, 26.5 square miles (68.5 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.5 km²) of it (2.18%) is water. Berlin is also the geographical direct center of the state of Connecticut.

The west side of Berlin is flanked by the Metacomet Ridge, a mountainous traprock ridgeline that stretches from Long Island Sound to nearly the Vermont border. Notable mountains of the Metacomet ridge in Berlin include the Hanging Hills, Lamentation Mountain, Short Mountain, and Ragged Mountain. The 51 mile Metacomet Trail and the 50 mile Mattabesett Trail traverse the ridge.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,215 people, 6,792 households, and 5,155 families residing in the town. The population density was 688.6 people per square mile (265.9/km²). There were 6,955 housing units at an average density of 262.9/sq mi (101.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.03% White, 0.36% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.65% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47% of the population.

There were 6,792 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.5% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $68,068, and the median income for a family was $76,756. Males had a median income of $49,714 versus $34,832 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,744. About 1.4% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005
Party		Active Voters	Inactive Voters	Total Voters	Percentage	Democratic	4,881	106	4,987	39.06%	Republican	2,951	67	3,018	23.64%	Unaffiliated	4,626	126	4,752	37.22%	Minor Parties	10	0	10	0.07%
Total		12,468	299	12,767	100%

Historical Population

• 1790 - 2,465
• 1800 - 2,702
• 1810 - 2,798
• 1820 - 2,877
• 1830 - 3,037
• 1840 - 3,411
• 1850 - 1,869 *New Britain, Connecticut separated from Berlin
• 1860 - 2,146
• 1870 - 2,436
• 1880 - 2,385
• 1890 - 2,600
• 1900 - 3,448
• 1910 - 3,728
• 1920 - 4,298
• 1930 - 4,875
• 1940 - 5,230
• 1950 - 7,470
• 1960 - 11,250
• 1970 - 14,149
• 1980 - 15,121
• 1990 - 16,787
• 2000 - 18,215
• 2002 - 19,116 (estimate)

Sources: Interactive Connecticut State Register & Manual and U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division

Pronunciation

During World War I, the people of Berlin, Connecticut changed the pronunciation of their town name from Ber-LIN, like the German capital, to BER-lin.

References

External links

• Berlin Home Page
• Central Regional Tourism District