Editing Chester, Connecticut

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Chester, Connecticut
| settlement_type          = [[New England town|Town]]
| image_skyline            = OldTownHallChesterCT.jpg
| image_caption            = The [[Old Town Hall (Chester, Connecticut)|Old Town Hall]]
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = ChesterCTseal.JPG
| image_map                = {{switcher|[[File:Chester CT lg.PNG|230px|frameless|alt=Chester's location within Middlesex County and Connecticut]]|&nbsp;[[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Lower Connecticut River Valley incorporated and unincorporated areas Chester highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Chester's location within the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]|&nbsp;[[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1               = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q755277}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|24|08|N|72|28|57|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:11;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q755277;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Chester;Connecticut;the United States}}
| coordinates              = {{coord|41|24|08|N|72|28|57|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{US}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2        = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex]]
| subdivision_type3        = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3        = [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower CT River Valley]]
| established_title        = Incorporated
| established_date         = 1836
| government_type          = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman-town meeting]]
| leader_title             = First Selectman
| leader_name              = Cynthia Lignar 
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_total_km2           = 43.5
| area_total_sq_mi         = 16.8
| area_land_km2            = 41.5
| area_land_sq_mi          = 16.0
| area_water_km2           = 2.1
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.8
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 377
| population_total         = 3749
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_metro         = 
| population_note          = 
| timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Standard Time|EST]]
| utc_offset               = -5
| timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = -4
| postal_code_type         = ZIP code
| postal_code              = 06412
| area_code                = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 09-14300
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 0213407<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|213407}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|http://www.chesterct.com/}}
}}
'''Chester''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex County]], [[Connecticut]], United States. The town is part of the [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region]]. The population was 3,749 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900714300|title=Census - Geography Profile: Chester town, Middlesex County, Connecticut|access-date=November 27, 2021}}</ref> The [[Chester Center, Connecticut|town center]] is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a [[census-designated place]] (CDP). The name is a transfer from [[Chester]], in England.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoEyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA331|year=1903|publisher=Connecticut Magazine Company|page=331}}</ref>

==History==
The area was home to a [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] (possibly [[Hammonasset people|Hammonasset]]) village named Pattaquonk.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2021 |title=Indigenous Communities of Connecticut - TeachIt {{!}} Connecticut History In The Classroom |url=https://teachitct.org/lessons/indigenous-communities-of-connecticut/ |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=TeachIt {{!}} Connecticut History In The Classroom - |language=en}}</ref> Pattaquonk was also the name and approximate location of a 30-acre [[Wangunk]] reservation established in 1662 as part of the English acquisition of the land encompassing [[Haddam, Connecticut|Haddam]] and [[East Haddam, Connecticut|East Haddam]], which was home to three Wangunk villages.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Field |first=David Dudley |title=A History of the Towns of Haddam and East-Haddam |publisher=Loomis and Richards |year=1814 |isbn=9781016139618 |pages=3–8}}</ref> English settlement of the area began in 1692. The town was formed from the northern quarter of [[Deep River, Connecticut|Saybrook]] and incorporated in 1836.

In 1769, Jonathan Warner was granted permission to operate a ferry across the Connecticut River that became the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, the second-oldest continuously operating ferry service in Connecticut. Its location is currently a state historical landmark.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|16.8|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|16.0|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.8|sqmi|km2}} (4.75%) is water. The CDP has a total area of {{convert|2.1|sqmi|km2}} of which 1.46% is water.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840= 974
|1850= 992
|1860= 1015
|1870= 1094
|1880= 1177
|1890= 1301
|1900= 1328
|1910= 1419
|1920= 1675
|1930= 1463
|1940= 1676
|1950= 1920
|1960= 2520
|1970= 2982
|1980= 3068
|1990= 3417
|2000= 3743
|2010= 3994
|2020= 3749
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 }}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}

At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 3,743 people, 1,510 households, and 1,005 families living in the town. The population density was {{convert|233.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,613 housing units at an average density of {{convert|100.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the town was 96.79% White, 0.85% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.71%.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>

[[File:Memorial Day ceremony 1990 Chester Connecticut.jpg|thumb|Memorial Day ceremony in Chester, 1990]]

Of the 1,510 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 28.1% of households were one person, and 13.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93.

The age distribution was 22.3% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median household income was $65,156 and the median family income was $79,941. Males had a median income of $45,515 versus  $40,444 for females. The per capita income for the town was $32,191. None of the families and 1.3% of the population were living below the [[poverty line]], including no under eighteens and 2.6% of those over 64.

===CDP===

At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]], there were 1,546 people, 632 households, and 401 families living in the [[Chester Center, Connecticut|Chester Center]] CDP. The population density was {{convert|762.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|inhabitants&nbsp;|inhabitants}}. There were 669 housing units at an average density of {{convert|329.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the CDP was 96.31% White, 1.29% African American, 0.06% Native American, 1.36% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.

Of the 632 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 30.5% of households were one person, and 10.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 21.9% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median household income was $64,236 and the median family income was $71,250. Males had a median income of $38,900 versus $46,354 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $32,087. None of the families and 0.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 29, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SOTS/ElectionServices/Registration_and_Enrollment_Stats/Nov19RE.pdf?la=en|title=Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 29, 2019|publisher=Connecticut Secretary of State|format=PDF|access-date=March 22, 2020}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active voters
! Inactive voters
! Total voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | 1,054
| align = center | 49
| align = center | 1,103
| align = center | 38.37%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 560
| align = center | 24
| align = center | 584
| align = center | 20.31%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| [[Independent voter|Unaffiliated]]
| align = center | 1,075
| align = center | 72
| align = center | 1,147
| align = center | 39.90%
|-
| {{party color cell|Libertarian Party (United States)}}
| [[Third Party (United States)|Minor parties]]
| align = center | 37
| align = center | 4
| align = center | 41
| align = center | 1.42%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 2,726
! align = center | 149
! align = center | 2,875
! align = center | 100%
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |Presidential election results<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Elections Statement of Vote 1922|url=https://authoring.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Statement-Of-Vote-PDFs/General-Elections-Statement-of-Vote-1922|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Public Reporting|url=https://ctemspublic.pcctg.net/#/selectTown|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=ctemspublic.pcctg.net}}</ref>
|-
!Year
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Third party (United States)|Third parties]]
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''65.5%''' ''1,701''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|32.9% ''853''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.6% ''42''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''60.2%''' ''1,365''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|34.4% ''781''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.4% ''123''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''65.4%''' ''1,380''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|33.5% ''707''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.1% ''22''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''67.5%''' ''1,527''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|31.4% ''710''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.1% ''25''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''62.1%''' ''1,375''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|35.9% ''796''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.0% ''43''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''58.7%''' ''1,207''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|34.1% ''701''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|7.2% ''149''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''56.9%''' ''1,089''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|28.0% ''536''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|15.1% ''289''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''45.1%''' ''924''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|26.0% ''533''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|28.9% ''593''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|48.6% ''821''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.6%''' ''838''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.8% ''31''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.4% ''637''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.1%''' ''1,015''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.5% ''8''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.3% ''578''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''47.0%''' ''729''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|15.7% ''244''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.4% ''671''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.2%''' ''800''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.4% ''6''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.8% ''552''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.1%''' ''931''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.1% 17
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|44.3% ''549''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''51.5%''' ''638''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|4.2% ''53''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''64.1%''' ''802''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|35.9% ''450''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.9% ''544''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.1%''' ''754''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1956 United States presidential election|1956]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|33.4% ''413''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''66.6%''' ''825''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|}

==Education==

Chester, like the other two towns in the "tri-town area" ([[Essex, Connecticut|Essex]] and [[Deep River, Connecticut|Deep River]]), is a member of Regional School District #4. John Winthrop Junior High School is on Warsaw Street in Deep River, and [[Valley Regional High School]], is on Kelsey Hill in Deep River. They serve students in grades 7–8 and 9–12, respectively. Each town in the area also has their own elementary school, serving grades K–6.

==Media==
The 1959 film ''[[It Happened to Jane]]'', starring Doris Day and Jack Lemmon, was filmed in Chester. Portions of the 1971 horror film ''[[Let's Scare Jessica to Death]]'' were filmed in Chester, including the [[Chester–Hadlyme Ferry]].

==Points of interest==
* The [[Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek]] synagogue is noted for the architecture of its "spectacular" building.<ref>Columbia Daily Spectator, April 10, 2007, Small-town Artist With a Big-time Legacy by Ginia Sweeney  {{cite web |url=http://remote.columbiaspectator.com/2007/04/10/small-town-artist-big-time-legacy |title=Small-town Artist with a Big-time Legacy |access-date=May 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708175752/http://remote.columbiaspectator.com/2007/04/10/small-town-artist-big-time-legacy |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }}</ref>
* Goodspeed-at-Chester, [[Goodspeed Musicals]]' second theatre
* The [[Chester Museum at the Mill]], a museum of the Chester Historical Society
* The [[Chester–Hadlyme Ferry]] is the second oldest continuously operating ferry service in the state of Connecticut and is a designated state historical landmark.
* [[Camp Hazen YMCA]]

===On the National Register of Historic Places===

* [[Charles Daniels House]] – 43 Liberty St. (added March 19, 1988)
* [[Dr. Ambrose Pratt House]] – Pratt St. (added December 9, 1972)
* [[Jonathan Warner House]] – 47 Kings Hwy. (added 1978)
* [[Old Town Hall (Chester, Connecticut)|Old Town Hall]] – on the green between Liberty St. and Goose Hill Rd. (added March 23, 1972)
* [[Villa Bella Vista]] – 7 Old Depot Rd. (added 2000)

== Duck Race ==
The town holds a [[rubber duck race]] annually to fundraise for local charities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Chester Duck Race 2025 {{!}} Chester.com |url=https://chester.com/listing/the-chester-duck-race/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=chester.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Himelrick |first=Ronan |date=3 May 2025 |title=Neighbors gather for ‘ConnDucky Derby’ in Chester |url=https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/middlesex/neighbors-gather-for-connducky-derby-in-chester/ |access-date=4 May 2025}}</ref> The tradition has been ongoing for 11 years as of 2025; the race for that year was called the "Conn-Ducky Derby", a pun on "[[Kentucky Derby]]" (which happened on the same day).<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Chester duck race 2025.jpg|alt=A bunch of rubber ducks floating downstream in a creek flanked by bumpers.|thumb|Chester Duck Race, 2025]]

== Industry ==
The Whelen Engineering Corporation,<ref>[http://www.whelen.com/home.php Whelen Engineering Corporation]</ref> a major designer and distributor of public service warning equipment (warning lights, sirens, etc.) in North America, is headquartered in Chester.

==Transportation==

===Air===
The [[Chester Airport]] is a local facility with one paved runway. It is privately owned by Whelen Aviation.

===Ground===
The [[Estuary Transit District]] provides public transportation throughout Chester and the surrounding towns through its 9 Town Transit Service. Services include connections to the Old Saybrook Train Station, served by [[Amtrak]] and [[Shoreline East]] railroads.

==Notable people==

* [[Constance Baker Motley]] (1921–2005), civil rights leader
* [[Art Carney]] (1918–2003), actor; resident, died in town
* [[Paul Hopkins (baseball)|Paul Hopkins]] (1904–2004), major league relief pitcher; born in town
* [[Sol LeWitt]] (1928–2007), artist
* [[Michael P. Price]] (born 1938), theatre producer and artistic director
* [[Morley Safer]] (1931–2016), CBS news correspondent and anchor on ''60 Minutes''<ref>Maker, Elizabeth, [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/01/nyregion/suddenly-balls-in-every-court.html?pagewanted=all&pagewanted=print "Suddenly, Balls in Every Court"], ''The New York Times'', June 1, 2003, retrieved January 27, 2010</ref>
* [[Max Showalter]] (1917–2000), film and television actor; retired to Chester
* [[Washington F. Willcox]] (1834–1909), [[US Congressman]]; resident

==Pictures of Chester==

<gallery mode="packed">
File:PostcardChesterCtHighSchool1906to1916.jpg|Chester High School, {{circa|1906–1916}}
File:PostcardOldestHouseInChesterCt1907.jpg|Oldest house in Chester, built 1649 (picture {{circa|1906–1916}})
File:PostcardOldStoneStoreChesterCT1901to1907.jpg|Old Stone Store, {{circa|1901–1907}}
File:PostcardMainStreetLookingEastChesterCT1901TO1907.jpg|Main Street, looking east, {{circa|1901–1907}}
</gallery>

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
* [http://www.chesterct.org/ Town of Chester official website]
* [http://chesterhistoricalsociety.org/ Chester Historical Society]
* [http://www.visit-chester.com/ Visit-Chester.com]
* [http://www.mainstreetmaps.com/CT/Chester/ Town of Chester GIS maps and property information]

{{Connecticut}}
{{Middlesex County, Connecticut}}
{{Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Greater Hartford}}
{{Connecticut River}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Chester, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Middlesex County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Connecticut populated places on the Connecticut River]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Greater Hartford]]
[[Category:1836 establishments in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut]]