Editing Middlefield, Connecticut

{{More citations needed|date=January 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Middlefield, Connecticut
| official_name            = Town of Middlefield
| settlement_type          = [[New England town|Town]]
| image_skyline            = Higbymountain.jpg
| image_caption            = The view from [[Higby Mountain]]
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = MiddlefieldCTseal.jpg
| image_map                = {{switcher|[[File:Middlefield CT Locator Map.png|230px|frameless|alt=Middlefield's location within Middlesex County and Connecticut]]|&nbsp;[[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Lower Connecticut River Valley incorporated and unincorporated areas Middlefield highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Middlefield'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=Q2723796}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|31|03|N|72|42|44|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:11;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q2723796;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=Middlefield;Connecticut;the United States}}
| coordinates              = {{coord|41|31|03|N|72|42|44|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
<!-- location -->
| 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         = May 9, 1866
| government_type          = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman-town meeting]]
| leader_title             = [[First Selectman]]
| leader_name              = Robert Yamartino
| leader_title1            = Selectman
| leader_name1             = Carol Bufithis
| leader_title2            = Selectman
| leader_name2             = James Irish
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_total_km2           = 34.4
| area_total_sq_mi         = 13.3
| area_land_km2            = 32.9
| area_land_sq_mi          = 12.7
| area_water_km2           = 1.6
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.6
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 210
| population_footnotes     = <ref>[https://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005_9.csv U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629085255/http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005_9.csv |date=June 29, 2011 }}</ref>
| population_total         = 4217
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_density_km2   = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 332.0
| timezone                 = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset = &minus;5
| timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset_DST = &minus;4
| postal_code_type         = ZIP code
| postal_code              = 06455, 06481
| area_codes                = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 09-47080
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 0213460<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|213460}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|http://www.middlefieldct.org/}}
}}
'''Middlefield''' 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 4,217 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900747080|title=Census - Geography Profile: Middlefield town, Middlesex County, Connecticut|access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref> The town includes the village of Rockfall in the northeastern section.

==History==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2018}}
Middlefield, in Middlesex County, is so named because it is halfway between Middletown and [[Durham, Connecticut|Durham]], and Middletown and [[Meriden, Connecticut|Meriden]]. For such a small community, Middlefield has an abundance of wonderful history that goes back to the late 17th century and many first settlers of Connecticut. The Old North Burying Ground was established for those living west of Middletown and the first burial was in 1738.

Middlefield became a town in 1866 by an act of the Connecticut Legislature. The town was previously part of the City of Middletown.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|13.3|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|12.7|sqmi|km2}}  is land and {{convert|0.6|sqmi|km2}}  (4.65%) is water.

The west side of Middlefield is flanked by the [[Metacomet Ridge]], a mountainous [[trap rock]] ridgeline that stretches from [[Long Island Sound]] to nearly the [[Vermont]] border. Notable mountains of the Metacomet Ridge in Middlefield include  [[Higby Mountain]] and [[Besek Mountain]]. The 50 mile [[Mattabesett Trail]] traverses the ridge. [[The Nature Conservancy]] manages the summit and ledges of Higby Mountain.

==Attractions==
Middlefield offers many seasonal activities. Residents can also go [[ice-skating]] on one of the many [[ponds]] located at the edge of Peckham Park.  In the summer Peckham Park has little league [[baseball]] games going on almost every day of the week.  The smaller kids can play on the [[jungle gym]] or play [[basketball]] and [[soccer]].  Some other summer activities could be [[golfing]] on one of the two local golf courses or go to the [[beach]] located on [[Lake Beseck]] just off of [[Route 147 (Connecticut)|Route 147]].  Residents can also enjoy picking [[fruit]], playing golf, shopping, and eating at [[Lyman Orchards]]. Middlefield is also home to the [[Powder Ridge Ski Area]].

'''Wadsworth Falls State Park''', or simply '''Wadsworth Falls''', is a public recreation and preserved natural area located on the [[Coginchaug River]] in the [[New England town|towns]] of [[Middletown, Connecticut|Middletown]] and Middlefield, [[Connecticut]]. The [[state park]]'s 285 acres (115 ha) offer trails, fishing, swimming, and picnicking. It is managed by the [[Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325274 |title=Wadsworth Falls State Park |work=State Parks and Forests |publisher=Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |date=September 2017 |access-date=October 3, 2017}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/908129883 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/873331472 cite #3 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>

[[Powder Ridge Ski Area]]  (category Tourist attractions '''in''' Middlesex County, Connecticut) is a small ski area located '''in''' '''Middlefield''', Connecticut. It began operations on January 22, 1961, the day JFK was inaugurated. It closed '''in''' 2007, and has since reopened.

==Registered historic places in town==

* David, II Lyman House – 5 Lyman Rd. (added March 6, 1986)
* William, Jr. Ward House – 137 Powder Hill Rd. (added March 19, 1988)

==Education==

Middlefield, along with [[Durham, Connecticut|Durham]], forms Regional School District 13.<ref>[http://www.rsd13ct.org Regional School District 13 web site]</ref> It offers a traditional as well as an "Integrated Day" program of education for students in the two [[communities]]. The schools in Regional School District 13 are: Brewster Elementary School (K-4), John Lyman Elementary School (grades K–4), Memorial Middle School (grades 5–6), Strong Middle School (grades 7–8) and [[Coginchaug Regional High School]] (grades 9–12). The town is also home to the private pre-school–8 school [[The Independent Day School]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uJpGAAAAIBAJ&pg=4765,1832277&dq=the+independent+day+school+middlefield&hl=en |title=Independent Day School chief hired |access-date=September 13, 2013 |date=June 9, 2000 |newspaper=[[The Day (New London)|The Day]]}}</ref>

==Town seal==
The town seal is a view of Middlefield as seen through a [[gun sight]]. The crosshairs represent the gun sight [[manufacturing]] that has taken place in Middlefield for many years. The four [[Circular sector|quadrants]] of the gun sight are broken into different aspects of the town of Middlefield. The upper left-hand quadrant is a picture of the 1700s saltbox homes that still stand in Middlefield. The upper right-hand quadrant represents the [[orchards]] and farmland that make up much of the open space of Middlefield. The lower left-hand quadrant represents many of the outdoor activities that go on in Middlefield such as [[fishing]], [[hunting]], [[boating]], [[skiing]], [[golfing]], and many other activities. The lower right-hand quadrant is the old pistol shop that used to be a major part of Middlefield's makeup. The seal was designed by Donald Ginter.

[[Image:Brook falls.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Brook Falls]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 1053
|1880= 928
|1890= 1002
|1900= 845
|1910= 1036
|1920= 1047
|1930= 1204
|1940= 1230
|1950= 1983
|1960= 3255
|1970= 4132
|1980= 3796
|1990= 3925
|2000= 4203
|2010= 4425
|2020= 4217
|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}}
As of the [[census]]<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> of 2000, there were 4,203 people, 1,645 households, and 1,199 families residing in the town.  The population density was {{convert|330.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 1,740 housing units at an average density of {{convert|137.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the town was 97.76% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.74% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.02% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.36% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.43% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.67% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.33% of the population.

There were 1,645 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.1 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $59,448, and the median income for a family was $69,267. Males had a median income of $43,953 versus $31,487 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $25,711.  About 0.6% of families and 1.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 0.8% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==

Middlefield has a [[Board of selectmen|selectman-town meeting]] form of government. The current acting first selectman is Robert Yamartino, whom assumed the office of First Selectman on December 8, 2021, due to the death of incumbent first selectman Ed Bailey.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Masse |first1=Andrew |title=Middlefield First Selectman unexpectedly passes away |url=https://www.wfsb.com/news/middlefield-first-selectman-unexpectedly-passes-away/article_c0aa7afc-5949-11ec-9445-1bedac2a07e1.html?block_id=995300 |website=WFSB |access-date=December 10, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The other current selectman is Carol Bufithis. 
 
{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 25, 2005<ref>{{cite web|title=Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 25, 2005 |publisher=Connecticut Secretary of State |access-date=October 2, 2006 |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/lists/2005OctRegEnrollStats.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923151511/http://www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/lists/2005OctRegEnrollStats.pdf |archive-date=September 23, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</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 | 920
| align = center | 20
| align = center | 940
| align = center | 29.63%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 590
| align = center | 23
| align = center | 613
| align = center | 19.32%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| [[Independent voter|Unaffiliated]]
| align = center | 1,571
| align = center | 42
| align = center | 1,613
| align = center | 50.84%
|-
| {{party color cell|Libertarian Party (United States)}}
| Minor Parties
| align = center | 7
| align = center | 0
| align = center | 7
| align = center | 0.22%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 3,088
! align = center | 85
! align = center | 3,173
! align = center | 100%
|}

===State politics===

Middlefield is in the 13th [[Connecticut State Senate|state senate]] district, being represented by Democrat Christine Cohen, and in the 90th district in the state house by Republican Craig Fishbein.

Middlefield has swung for Republican candidates in gubernatorial elections, including in [[2018 Connecticut gubernatorial election|2018]], where Republican Bob Stefanowski won 53% of the vote.

===Federal politics===

Middlefield is part of [[Connecticut's 3rd congressional district]], and is represented by [[Rosa DeLauro]]. It has swung in presidential elections, voting for Joe Biden in [[2020 United States presidential election in Connecticut|2020]] and Barack Obama in [[2012 United States presidential election in Connecticut|2012]] but supporting Donald Trump in [[2016 United States presidential election in Connecticut|2016]].

==References==

<references/>

==External links==
{{wikivoyage|Middlefield (Connecticut)|Middlefield, Connecticut}}
* [http://www.middlefieldct.org Town of Middlefield Web site]

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

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Middlefield, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Middlesex County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Greater Hartford]]
[[Category:Towns in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut]]