Editing Washington, Connecticut

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Washington, Connecticut
|official_name            = Town of Washington
|settlement_type          = [[New England town|Town]]
|image_skyline            = The Hickory Stick Bookshop, Washington Depot CT.jpg
|imagesize                =
|image_caption            = The Hickory Stick Bookshop in Washington Depot
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               = WashingtonCTseal.gif
| image_map               = {{switcher|[[File:Litchfield County Connecticut Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Washington Highlighted 2010.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Washington's location within Litchfield County and Connecticut]]|&nbsp;[[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Northwest Hills incorporated and unincorporated areas Washington highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Washington's location within the Northwest Hills Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]|&nbsp;[[Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut|Northwest Hills 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=Q2446223}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|39|12|N|73|19|06|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:10;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q2446223;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=Washington;Connecticut;the United States}}
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1       = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1       = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2       = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield]]
| subdivision_type3       = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3       = [[Northwest Hills (Connecticut)|Northwest Hills]]
|government_type          = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman-town meeting]]
|leader_title             = First selectman
|leader_name              = James L. Brinton (R)
|leader_title1            = Selectman
|leader_name1             = Dean Sarjeant (D)
|leader_title2            = Selectman
|leader_name2             = Jay Hubelbank (D)
|established_title        = Incorporated
|established_date         = 1779
|area_total_km2           = 100.1
|area_land_km2            = 98.6
|area_water_km2           = 1.5
|area_total_sq_mi         =
|area_land_sq_mi          =
|area_water_sq_mi         =
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_magnitude           =
|population_as_of         = 2020
|population_total         = 3646
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020"/>
|population_density_sq_mi =
|population_density_km2   = 37.0
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_m              = 152
|elevation_ft             = 499
|coordinates              = {{coord|41|39|12|N|73|19|06|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = ZIP codes
|postal_code              = 06777, 06793, 06794
|website                  = {{URL|www.washingtonct.org}}
|area_code                = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 09-79720
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0213524
|footnotes                =
}}
''' Washington''' is a rural [[New England town|town]] in [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield County]], [[Connecticut]], in the [[North Eastern]] region of the United States. The population was 3,646 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2020">{{cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900579720| title=Census - Geography Profile: Washington town, Litchfield County, Connecticut| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=December 22, 2021}}</ref> Washington is known for its picturesque countryside, historic architecture, and active civic and cultural life. The town has strong ties to [[New York City]], and is home to many cultural and business elites.<ref name="Williams">{{Cite news|first=Gisela |last=Williams |title=Havens; Weekender; Washington, Conn. |date=December 5, 2003 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/05/travel/havens-weekender-washington-conn.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 1, 2010}}</ref> The town is part of the [[Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut|Northwest Hills Planning Region]].

==History==

===Prehistoric period===
Archeological evidence suggests that [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] first settled along the banks of the [[Shepaug River]] about 10,000 years ago, following the conclusion of the last ice age. Before the arrival of European settlers, the lands today comprising Washington were inhabited by the [[Wyantenock]] tribe.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130125213957/http://www.housatonictimes.com/articles/2010/05/16/entertainment/doc4bec0dbd7cabf550581450.txt Gunn Celebrates Lake Waramaug in New Exhibit]</ref>

===Colonial era===
In 1734, Joseph Hurlbut settled the eastern section of what is now Washington, marking the beginning of the town's inhabitation by colonists. The area around the Hurlbut homestead came to be known as the Judea Parish, a name preserved in the still active [[Judea Cemetery]]. The area was initially part of [[Woodbury, Connecticut|Woodbury]].<ref name="auto1">{{cite web| url=https://www.washingtonct.org/about| title=About| publisher=Town of Washington Connecticut| access-date=October 16, 2019}}</ref>

In 1746, Edward Cogswell secured the right to mine iron ore, as part of the [[New Milford North Purchase]], and established an ironworks along the [[East Aspetuck River]] in [[New Preston, Connecticut|New Preston]]. 1746 also marked the purchase of land from the Wyantenock tribe by the Averill family for a homestead on Baldwin Hill, which is still occupied and farmed by direct descendants of the original inhabitants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nynjctbotany.org/lgtofc/washingtonconnhist.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918143856/http://www.nynjctbotany.org/lgtofc/washingtonconnhist.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 18, 2012 |title=A Brief History of Washington |website=www.nynjctbotany.org |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>

Washington was incorporated in 1779, with lands carved from the towns of Woodbury, [[Litchfield, CT|Litchfield]], [[Kent, CT|Kent]] and [[New Milford, CT|New Milford]].<ref name="auto1"/> The town was named after [[George Washington]],<ref>{{cite book |title=The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoEyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA335 |year=1903 |publisher=Connecticut Magazine Company |page=335}}</ref> who traveled through the area several times during the [[American Revolution]], and proverbially slept in [[New Preston, Connecticut|New Preston]] in 1781. Major William Cogswell, son of Edward Cogswell, was elected the town's first selectman.

===19th century===

''Industrial Revolution''. Early in the 19th century, small mills and factories proliferated along the Shepaug River in present-day Washington Depot, which came to be known as "Factory Hollow". Small-scale industry simultaneously appeared along the banks of the East Aspetuck River in New Preston.

''Invention of Summer Camp''. In 1861, Frederick W. Gunn, the [[Abolitionism in the United States|abolitionist]] founder of the Gunnery prep school, opened one of America's earliest [[summer camp]]'s in Washington.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kdclips.blogspot.com/2009/06/hello-muddah-ill-see-you-at-home.html |title=Hello muddah, I'll see you at home: Economy Throwing Cold Water on Many Campfires |first=Kristen A. |last=Domonell |date=June 17, 2009 |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>

''Slavery Safe Harbor''. Washington was a stop on the [[Underground Railroad]]. Local residents provided a safe harbor for slaves fleeing captivity, and organized efforts to throw bounty hunters off the tracks of their pursuits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.org/details/masterofgunnery01gibs |title=The master of the Gunnery |first=William Hamilton |last=Gibson |date=August 13, 1887 |publisher=New York, The Gunn Memorial Association |access-date=August 13, 2019 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref>

''Arcadian Movement''. The arrival of the [[Shepaug Railroad]] in Washington in 1872 introduced rail service to New York City, which brought an influx of new visitors. Architect [[Ehrick Rossiter]], then a recent graduate of the local [[The Gunnery|Gunnery]] prep school, saw an opportunity to establish an understated alternative to [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]], and the ostentation favored by the [[nouveaux riches]] of the day.<ref name="auto3">{{cite web |url=https://www.gunnlibrary.org/ |title=Home · Gunn Memorial Library and Museum |website=Gunn Memorial Library and Museum |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> In collaboration with a coterie of wealthy New York patrons, Rossiter remade the Washington Green area into an idyllic summer colony, transforming it into an idealized version of the quintessential New England village. During this period, the [[Congregational church]] received a makeover, commercial enterprises were eliminated for aesthetic purposes, and restrained but elegant summer homes—many of them designed by Rossiter himself—were constructed.<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=N7U9R3AK4aAC&dq=%22Return+to+Arcadia%3A+Ehrick+Rossiter%27s+Washington%22&pg=PA313 {{Dead link|date=October 2019}}</ref> Contemporaneously, new seasonal residents established themselves at [[Lake Waramaug]] in New Preston.

===20th century===
''Birth of Steep Rock''. In 1925, architect Ehrick Rossiter donated {{convert|100|acre|km2}} of land along the Shepaug River to a group of trustees for the purpose of preserving it as open space, marking the founding of the Steep Rock Association<ref>{{cite web |url=https://steeprockassoc.org/ |title=A Land Trust Supported by Your Donations |website=Steep Rock Association |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> land trust, which today holds land and [[conservation easement]]s protecting more than {{convert|2700|acre|km2}} in Washington.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://steeprockassoc.org/history/ |title=Steep Rock Association, Inc. » History |access-date=June 20, 2010 |archive-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729052147/http://steeprockassoc.org/history/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Flood of 1955''. In August 1955, two large storms passed over Litchfield County in close succession, flooding many local river valleys. North of Washington Depot, twin culverts carrying the [[Shepaug River]] under [[U.S. Route 202]] were plugged with debris, causing floodwaters to accumulate upstream. The culverts and roadway succumbed to the resulting pressure, causing a wall of water to race down the river valley, washing away many of the homes and businesses in the Depot's village center, and killing a couple who ignored warnings to evacuate.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Angry-waters-55585.php |title=Angry waters |website=newstimes |publisher=The News-Times |last1=Miller |first1=Robert |access-date=November 22, 2016 |date=August 14, 2005}}</ref> A reconstruction effort, led by Henry B. Van Sinderen, and modeled after a town on [[Long Island]], was quickly commenced.<ref name="auto1"/> Homes and businesses soon reemerged, but the village lost many historic structures, and it has never regained its pre-flood density or vitality. The layout and visual character of the Depot were also radically altered, and the village center assumed its contemporary appearance, which varies considerably from Washington's traditional architectural vernacular.

''Invasion of the Iroquois''. In 1986, Iroquois Gas Transmission System sought permission from the [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] to construct a {{convert|356|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} [[natural gas]] pipeline through New York and Connecticut. The proposed route ran through Lake Waramaug's eastern watershed, across the Shepaug River, and through the Steep Rock Reservation, with a secondary spur running through Washington Green and Nettleton Hollow. The Washington Environmental Council<ref name="auto4">{{cite web |url=https://www.wec-ct.org/ |title=Washington Environmental Council |website=Washington Environmental Council |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> became an intervenor in the proceedings, retained a prominent Washington, D.C., law firm, and mounted a vigorous opposition campaign. In 1989, Iroquois decided to reroute the pipeline, shifting it south of Washington's borders.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/31/nyregion/pipeline-shift-logic-of-litchfield.html |title=Pipeline Shift: Logic of Litchfield? |first=Charlotte |last=Libov |date=May 31, 1987 |access-date=August 13, 2019 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.wec-ct.org/iroquois-pipeline?rq=Iroquois| title=Iroquois Pipeline| publisher=Washington Environmental Council| access-date=October 16, 2019}}</ref>

''Shepaug River Lawsuit''. In 1997, Washington residents voted unanimously to join a lawsuit against the [[Waterbury, CT|City of Waterbury]], which operates a reservoir at the headwaters of the [[Shepaug River]] in the adjacent town of [[Warren, Connecticut|Warren]]. Waterbury, which had long relied on the reservoir to supply water to its citizens, had come to view the river as a revenue stream, and was removing extra water to sell to neighboring municipalities. The lawsuit, which the town of [[Roxbury, Connecticut|Roxbury]] also joined, sought to compel Waterbury to release more water into the river, which slowed to a trickle during summer months, impeding important ecological functions. After considerable legal maneuvering on both sides, river advocates prevailed in February 2000, when a Superior Court judge ordered Waterbury to release more water into the Shepaug.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}

''Sempra Fight''. In 1998, [[Sempra Energy]] submitted a proposal to the [[Connecticut Siting Council]] to construct a power plant approximately {{convert|10|mi|0}} south of Washington in [[New Milford, Connecticut|New Milford]]. The plant was to emit 443 tons of pollutants per year, many of which would have projected toward Washington, owing to the region's prevailing wind patterns and complex terrain. The Washington Environmental Council<ref name="auto4"/> hired environmental consultants, who demonstrated that the plan would be particularly harmful to New Preston and Lake Waramaug. The council became an intervenor in the proceedings and generated scientific evidence that was cited by the Siting Council when it unanimously rejected the permit application in 1999.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/25/realestate/in-the-region-connecticut-a-flurry-of-proposals-for-gas-fired-power-plants.html |title=In the Region / Connecticut; A Flurry of Proposals for Gas-Fired Power Plants |first=Eleanor |last=Charles |date=October 25, 1998 |access-date=August 13, 2019 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/17/nyregion/metro-business-power-plant-is-rejected.html |title=Metro Business; Power Plant Is Rejected |agency=Associated Press |date=December 17, 1999 |access-date=August 13, 2019 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.wec-ct.org/sempra-power-plant?rq=Sempra| title=Sempra Power Plant| publisher=Washington Environmental Council| access-date=October 16, 2019}}</ref>

===Contemporary Washington===

In 2008, [[Optasite]] submitted an application to the Connecticut Siting Council to erect a telecommunications tower atop Tanner Hill in a visually conspicuous location above the Macricostas Preserve, some {{convert|250|ft|m}} north of the Washington town line.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=October 1, 2008|title=Washington Connecticut October Minutes|url=https://www.washingtonct.org/sites/washingtonct/files/minutes/minutes-file/conserve_10-1-08.pdf|access-date=February 25, 2020|archive-date=February 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225220740/https://www.washingtonct.org/sites/washingtonct/files/minutes/minutes-file/conserve_10-1-08.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The State of Connecticut had previously purchased the development rights for the land beneath the proposed tower site for farmland preservation. Washington's Conservation Commission became an intervenor in the application. Working with a coalition that included Governor [[Jodi Rell]], Attorney General [[Richard Blumenthal]], and an ad-hoc community organization called CROWW,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.croww.org/PLfnQ/VjYdZ/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-date=July 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725204945/http://www.croww.org/PLfnQ/VjYdZ/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> they built an environmental and legal case against the tower proposal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonct.org/min-cc-08.html |title=Minutes: Conservation Commission - Washington, Connecticut |access-date=June 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110502223811/http://www.washingtonct.org/min-cc-08.html |archive-date=May 2, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2009, Optasite withdrew its application, and legislation was subsequently introduced in the [[Connecticut General Assembly]] to hold companies liable for costs incurred as a consequence of applications submitted to the Siting Council in [[bad faith]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonct.org/min-cc.html |title=Minutes: Conservation Commission - Washington, Connecticut |access-date=June 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514205026/http://www.washingtonct.org/min-cc.html |archive-date=May 14, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Geography==
Washington is located in the [[Litchfield Hills]] region of Connecticut, approximately {{convert|22|mi}} northeast of [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], {{convert|40|mi}} west of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], and {{convert|80|mi}} northeast of [[New York City]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|100.1|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|98.6|sqkm|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|1.5|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 1.48%, are water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0600000US0900579720| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Washington town, Litchfield County, Connecticut| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| website=American FactFinder| access-date=October 16, 2019| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213132353/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0600000US0900579720| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>

The dominant geographic features of Washington are the [[Shepaug River|Shepaug]], [[East Aspetuck River|East Aspetuck]], and [[Bantam River|Bantam]] river valleys. [[Lake Waramaug]] is in the northeast corner of the town. The landscape is characterized by rolling hills, high plateaus, and river and stream valleys. Mixed deciduous and coniferous forest covers most of Washington, but open agricultural fields are also prevalent.

===Principal communities===
* Washington Green
* Washington Depot
* [[New Preston, Connecticut|New Preston]]
* [[Marbledale, Connecticut|Marbledale]]
* Woodville

===Natural resources===
* The [[Shepaug River]] flows north to south, roughly through the center of Washington, through a winding, largely undeveloped river valley. Substantial areas along the Shepaug have been preserved as open space, yielding a large and regionally unique protected [[riparian corridor]]. Major preserved areas include the {{convert|998|acre|km2|adj=on|abbr=}} Steep Rock Preserve<ref>{{cite web|url=https://steeprockassoc.org/steep-rock-preserve/|title=Steep Rock Association, Steep Rock Preserve|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-date=May 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510220208/https://steeprockassoc.org/steep-rock-preserve/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the {{convert|700|acre|km2|adj=on|abbr=}} Hidden Valley Preserve.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://steeprockassoc.org/hidden-valley-preserve/|title=Steep Rock Association, Hidden Valley Preserve|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-date=May 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505174129/https://steeprockassoc.org/hidden-valley-preserve/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Lake Waramaug]], which is situated at the town's northwestern corner, at its border with [[Warren, CT|Warren]] and [[Kent, CT|Kent]], is the second largest natural lake in Connecticut.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.countytimes.com/articles/2010/05/21/entertainment/doc4bf57b1136ca5250520746.txt |title=Visions of Waramaug in Exhibit |last=Ferris |first=Jamie |date=May 21, 2010 |work=The Litchfield County Times |access-date=October 1, 2010}}</ref>
* Mount Tom and Mount Tom Pond are in Washington's northeast corner and share municipal boundaries with the towns of [[Morris, CT|Morris]] and [[Litchfield, CT|Litchfield]]. [[Mount Tom State Park]] is one of Connecticut's oldest state parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325244 |title=DEEP: Mount Tom State Park |website=www.ct.gov |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> A stone tower at the top of the mountain affords distant views and attracts many hikers.
* Meeker Swamp is a large complex of exceptionally high-quality wetlands which overlay a geologically distinctive [[aquifer]]. Primary portions of the swamp are located within the {{convert|360|acre|adj=on}} Macricostas Preserve.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://steeprockassoc.org/macricostas-preserve/ |title=Macricostas Preserve |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> The area provides regionally unique habitat areas for migratory birds and numerous rare plant and animal species, while the aquifer—Washington's largest—includes substantial reserves of [[potable water]].
* The ridgeline running east–west along Washington's northern boundary, between Lake Waramaug and the Shepaug River, forms the edge of the northern portion of the [[Highlands of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/naspf/ |title=Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry |website=www.fs.usda.gov |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 1487
|1850= 1832
|1860= 1659
|1870= 1563
|1880= 1590
|1890= 1633
|1900= 1820
|1910= 1747
|1920= 1619
|1930= 1775
|1940= 2089
|1950= 2227
|1960= 2603
|1970= 3121
|1980= 3657
|1990= 3905
|2000= 3596
|2010= 3578
|2020= 3646
|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}}
Many families have local histories dating back to the Colonial period. The town is overwhelmingly caucasian, has a substantial gay population, and is unusually urbane for a rural community.<ref name="Williams"/> A significant percentage of homes are occupied on a part-time basis, with their owners residing principally in [[New York City]] or elsewhere. Consequently, census data may not accurately reflect the population's demography.

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 3,596 people, 1,416 households, and 951 families residing in the town.  The population density was {{convert|94.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 1,764 housing units at an average density of {{convert|46.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the town was 95.66% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.64% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.11% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.56% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.78% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.25% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.14% of the population.

There were 1,416 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 26.4% 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 2.42 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.2 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $65,288, and the median income for a family was $80,745. Males had a median income of $51,610 versus $35,337 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $37,215.  About 2.7% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
Washington has a traditional [[New England town]] meeting form of government, which operates under the [[Connecticut General Statutes]]. Town meetings serve as Washington's chief legislative body,<ref name="auto1"/> and several specialized boards and commissions, run by volunteer residents, tend to municipal business.

An elected [[board of selectmen]] manages day-to-day town affairs, and an elected board of finance tends to municipal financial matters. A planning commission, consisting of members appointed by the board of selectmen, engages in long-range town planning—particularly with respect to land-use—and decennially prepares a Plan of Conservation and Development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/act/Pa/2005PA-00205-R00HB-06570-PA.htm|title=AN ACT CONCERNING PLANS OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT.|website=www.cga.ct.gov|access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> The planning commission also establishes regulations concerning the [[Subdivision (land)|subdivision]] of land, and reviews and acts upon subdivision proposals. An elected zoning commission promulgates and applies [[zoning regulations]], and an inland wetlands commission, appointed by the board of selectmen, regulates activities in or near wetlands and watercourses. A historic district commission reviews development proposals within Washington's [[historic districts]], and issues certificates of appropriateness<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/pub/Chap097a.htm |title=CHAPTER 97a* HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND HISTORIC PROPERTIES |access-date=June 19, 2010 |archive-date=May 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531113825/http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/pub/Chap097a.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> for proposals it approves. A conservation commission, also appointed by the board of selectmen, establishes advisory conservation policies, advocates for the conservation of Washington's natural and cultural resources, and acquires and manages municipal open space, consisting of land owned by the town and [[conservation easements]] held on private property.

Washington's volunteer boards and commissions are supplemented by a small paid staff, which includes the full-time elected positions of First Selectman, Town Clerk,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonct.org/townclerk.html |title=Town Clerk - Washington, Connecticut |access-date=June 19, 2010 |archive-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223221829/http://www.washingtonct.org/townclerk.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Tax Collector,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonct.org/taxcollector.html |title=Tax Collector - Washington, Connecticut |access-date=June 19, 2010 |archive-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223221824/http://www.washingtonct.org/taxcollector.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Judge of Probate. The town also has a paid land-use coordinator, zoning enforcement officer, inland wetlands enforcement officer, assessor, building inspector, and administrative staff, as well as a road crew and building maintenance person.

===Civic life===

Washington has a culture of volunteerism and active civic engagement. Many residents give freely of their time and resources to operate town government, provide emergency services, and support local community organizations.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Jack |last=Coraggio |title=Firefighters in Washington Praised for a Long Ordeal |date=May 14, 2010 |url=http://www.countytimes.com/articles/2010/05/14/news/doc4bec0bd2dd107057468231.txt |work=The Litchfield County Times |access-date=October 1, 2010}}</ref> The town has unusually high voter turnout rates, and, in several elections, has had the highest level of voter participation of any municipality in Connecticut. For example, Washington's voter turnout rate in the 2004 presidential election was as high as 93.08%<ref>{{Cite news|first=Jack |last=Coraggio |title=Washington Wins Democracy Cup...Again |date=February 4, 2005 |url=http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Washington-wins-Democracy-Cup-again-244103.php
 |work=The Danbury News-Times |access-date=October 1, 2010}}</ref>

===Conservation focus===
Successive generations of Washington residents have actively supported land conservation efforts, and their gifts of property and conservation easements to local land trusts have yielded large tracts of permanent open space.<ref name="auto"/>

The town's strong conservation ethic is also evident in its land-use policies, which strictly limit new development. Washington was one of the first Connecticut municipalities to establish zoning regulations, which were enacted in 1939,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonct.org/zoning.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 20, 2010 |archive-date=January 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124123549/http://www.washingtonct.org/zoning.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The town's contemporary land-use policies are substantially natural resource-based, and they have been expressly conceived to maintain the community's rural character.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonct.org/pocd1.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 20, 2010 |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719174715/http://www.washingtonct.org/pocd1.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Washington is one of only two municipalities in Connecticut to base permissible residential density on the soils composition of land parcels, and it was one of the first Connecticut towns to adopt net-density subdivision regulations, which render [[wetlands]], [[flood plains]], and steep slopes ineligible for satisfying the minimum acreage requirements for creating new building lots<ref name="auto2"/> Consequently, even large tracts of land may not qualify for subdivision. Washington's inland wetlands regulations are similarly rigorous<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonct.org/iwcregs.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 23, 2010 |archive-date=April 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410181550/http://www.washingtonct.org/iwcregs.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Development proposals seen as posing a threat to the town's natural resources or rural character typically elicit controversy and often result in litigation, which is quietly underwritten by Washington's deep-pocketed and well-connected residents.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Lisa |last=Prevost |title=Anti-Inn? How About 33 Homes? |date=February 13, 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/realestate/15wczo.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 1, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonct.org/notices.html |title=Public & Legal Notices - Washington, Connecticut |access-date=June 20, 2010 |archive-date=January 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126001940/http://www.washingtonct.org/notices.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Economy==
Washington's economy has changed considerably over the course of the town's history. At various points, iron works, logging, manufacturing, and farming have driven local economic activity, but contemporary Washington has no industrial base, and only a handful of farms remain active.
Today, the local economy is centered on the town's population of affluent, part-time residents, whose income, for the most part, is not locally derived. The design, construction,  renovation, decoration, maintenance, and sale of country houses accounts for a substantial portion of local economic activity. Restaurants, inns, speciality retail shops, and professional services also play an important role in Washington's economy, as do educational institutions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonct.org/pocd.html |title=Plan of Conservation and Development - Washington, Connecticut |access-date=June 19, 2010 |archive-date=July 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725080858/http://www.washingtonct.org/pocd.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Infrastructure ==

===Transportation===
[[U.S. Route 202]] runs east–west in the northern part of town, connecting the villages of [[Marbledale, Connecticut|Marbledale]], [[New Preston, Connecticut|New Preston]], and Woodville. [[Connecticut Route 109]] runs east–west near the town's geographic center, connecting Washington Depot with [[New Milford, CT|New Milford]] and [[Morris, CT|Morris]]. The main north–south highways are [[Connecticut Route 47|Route 47]], [[Connecticut Route 199|Route 199]], and [[Connecticut Route 45|Route 45]]. There is no public transportation within the town.

===Architecture===
A substantial percentage of the houses in Washington were built prior to 1950,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cerc.com/townprofiles/getPDF.asp?Town=Washington|title = Site Unavailable}}</ref> and many of the structures built since then have faithfully followed the town's rural New England vernacular, resulting in an unusual degree of architectural cohesion. Washington has many well preserved historic homes, built in the [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]], [[Greek Revival]], [[Italianate]], and [[Shingle style|Shingle]] styles, and many 19th century mill structures, barns, and other agricultural outbuildings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonct.org/hdcguidelines.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 21, 2010 |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719174957/http://www.washingtonct.org/hdcguidelines.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Connecticut Historical Commission<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truffa.net/cslib-org/|title=Informativa per l'utenza: il sito cslib.org diventerà truffa.net|website=www.truffa.net|access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> conducted a comprehensive inventory of historic structures in Washington and in 2000 published the voluminous "Historic and Architectural Resource Survey of Washington, Connecticut," which includes detailed information about dozens of historic structures throughout the town.

===Historic districts===
Washington includes three municipal historic district and one federally designated National Register district.
* The [[Washington Green Historic District]] encompasses the area around the Congregational Church and includes portions of Green Hill Road, Kirby Road, Parsonage Lane, and Old North Road. The district includes several buildings designed by architect [[Ehrick Rossiter]], together with well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century houses designed in the [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]], [[Greek Revival]], and [[Italianate]] styles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonct.org/historic.html |title=Historic District Commission - Washington, Connecticut |access-date=June 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725080627/http://www.washingtonct.org/historic.html |archive-date=July 25, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* The [[Calhoun–Ives Historic District]] runs along Calhoun Street and Ives Road. It is Connecticut's only agricultural historic district and is characterized by modestly scaled 18th- and 19th-century farmhouses, built in the Georgian and Greek Revival styles, together with accompanying agricultural outbuildings, farm fields, and fruit orchards.
* The [[Sunny Ridge Historic District]] encompasses the area along Sunny Ridge Road, just south of its junction with [[Connecticut Route 109]], and includes several well-preserved 18th century Georgian homes.
* The [[New Preston Hill Historic District]] overlays portions of the top of New Preston Hill, along New Preston Hill Road and Findlay Road, approximately three quarters of a mile west of the New Preston village center.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref> The structures in this district are built principally in the Georgian style.

==Education==
Washington is part of the [[Connecticut Region 12 School District]], which operates the following schools in Washington:
* Reach Preschool<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.region-12.org/rch/ |title=Reach Preschool |access-date=July 24, 2006 |archive-date=March 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314032302/http://www.region-12.org/rch/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Washington Primary School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.region-12.org/wps/ |title=Washington Primary School |access-date=July 24, 2006 |archive-date=February 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205074915/http://www.region-12.org/wps/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Shepaug Valley School]] (secondary)

The town is also home to four private educational institutions:
* [[Rumsey Hall School]]
* [[The Gunnery]]
* [[Devereux Glenholme School]]
* Washington Montessori School<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonmontessori.org/|title=Washington Montessori School|website=Washington Montessori School|access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>

==Notable people==<!-- Please respect alphabetical order by LAST names -->

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Christopher Andersen]], journalist and author
* [[Helen Armstrong (violinist)|Helen Armstrong]], violinist<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.accnct.org/armstrong.html |title=Helen Armstrong |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905075440/http://www.accnct.org/armstrong.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Christine Baranski]], actress<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/21/realestate/21havens.html |title=Lots of New Yorkers, but Little City Pretense |first=Lisa |last=Prevost |date=July 21, 2006 |access-date=August 13, 2019 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>
* [[Robby Barnett|Robert Barnett]], choreographer
* [[Peter Brimelow]], magazine editor<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/peter-brimelow |title=Peter Brimelow |publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Graydon Carter]], editor of [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|''Vanity Fair'']] magazine<ref>{{cite web |url=http://homes.wsj.com/columnists/private/20041213-private.html |title=A Pricey Publication |last=McMullen |first=Troy |website=Wall Street Journal Online |access-date=June 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516194113/http://homes.wsj.com/columnists/private/20041213-private.html |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece]]<ref name="m.naplesnews.com">[http://m.naplesnews.com/news/2004/Apr/11/ndn_greek_crown_heir_sells_country_estate/ Greek Crown Heir Sells Country Estate], ''Naples News''</ref>
* [[Jim Dine]], artist<ref>{{cite web|last1=Casselman |first1=Ben |title=Susan Sontag's Manhattan Penthouse Is Listed for Sale for $3.75 Million |url=http://homes.wsj.com/columnists/private/20060807-private.html |website=Wall Street Journal |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109224514/http://homes.wsj.com/columnists/private/20060807-private.html |archive-date=November 9, 2006}}</ref>
* [[Rufus Easton]], U.S. congressman
* [[Ezra Hasbrouck Fitch]], co-founder of [[Abercrombie & Fitch]]
* [[Benjamin Delahauf Foulois]], aviator
* [[Matthew Franjola]], former reporter and photographer for the [[Associated Press]]<ref name=rc>{{cite news|first= Kaitlin |last=McCallum |title=Litchfield County's Matthew Franjola dies at 72 |url=http://www.registercitizen.com/general-news/20150105/litchfield-countys-matthew-franjola-dies-at-72 |work=[[The Register Citizen]] |date=January 5, 2015 |access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref>
* [[William Hamilton Gibson]], illustrator, author and naturalist
* [[Frederick William Gunn|Frederick Gunn]], abolitionist, educator, and inventor of [[summer camp]]<ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Parents-have-a-lot-to-consider-before-sending-112673.php |title=Parents have a lot to consider before sending kids to camp |newspaper=The News-Times |date=February 17, 2008 |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Thomas Hastings (composer)|Thomas Hastings]], composer
* [[Ann Hodgman]], author<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/people_perspectives/good_reads/the_e_mail_home |title=EatingWell.com |access-date=August 13, 2019 |archive-date=February 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225101945/http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/people_perspectives/good_reads/the_e_mail_home |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Alfred R. Kelman]], film producer & director
* [[Dan Lufkin]], co-founder of [[Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/24684 |work=New York York Social Diary |first=Sian |last=Balley |title=Cynthia Lufkin}}</ref>
* [[Paul Marks (scientist)|Paul Marks]], scientist
* [[Jeff McCracken]], actor, director, producer
* [[Danny Meyer]], restaurateur
* [[Robert Mnuchin]], art dealer and former banker
* [[Conan O'Brien]], comedian<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/05/travel/havens-weekender-washington-conn.html |title=HAVENS; Weekender &#124; Washington, Conn |first=Gisela |last=Williams |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 5, 2003 |access-date=August 13, 2019 }}</ref>
* [[David Owen (author)|David Owen]], author<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/david-owen |title=David Owen |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece]]<ref name="m.naplesnews.com"/>
* [[Moses Pendleton]], choreographer<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2010-01-07-10010712531165-story.html |title=Family Business |first=Frank |last=Rizzo |website=Hartford Courant |date=January 7, 2010 |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Orville H. Platt|Orville Hitchcock Platt]], U.S. senator, 1879–1905, author of the Platt Amendment dictating U.S.-Cuba relations after 1901
* [[Joan Rivers]], comedian<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/26/nyregion/in-warren-a-big-for-sale-sign.html |title=In Warren, a Big 'For Sale' Sign |first=Elizabeth |last=Maker |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 26, 2004 |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Ehrick Rossiter]], architect<ref name="auto3"/>
* [[Scott Rudin]], film producer<ref name="highbeam.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1433569.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104064243/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1433569.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |title=Asking price for Connecticut's Rocks pretty steep at $5.3 mil. |work=Chicago Sun-Times  |date=November 4, 2012 |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
* [[George Soros]], financier<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/05/travel/havens-weekender-washington-conn.html?pagewanted=all |work=The New York Times |first=Gisela |last=Williams |title=HAVENS; Weekender – Washington, Conn. |date=December 5, 2003}}</ref>
* [[Art Spiegelman]], cartoonist<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2010/06/20/pilobolus_draws_on_new_medium/?page=full |work=The Boston Globe |first=Laura |last=Collins-Hughes |title=Spiegelman, from 'Maus' to movement |date=June 20, 2010}}</ref>
* [[Phil Stong]], novelist
* [[Peter C. Sutton]], art historian
* [[James Taylor]], musician<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1992-08-15-0000113681-story.html |title=James Taylor Plays Warm Reunion at Civic Center |first=Roger |last=Catlin |website=Hartford Courant |date=August 15, 1992 |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
* [[William vanden Heuvel]], diplomat and author<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/16/nyregion/the-view-from-washington-library-as-centerpiece-at-celebrity-dinners.html?fta=y?pagewanted=1 |work=The New York Times |first=Elizabeth |last=Maker |title=The View From/Washington; Library as Centerpiece at Celebrity Dinners |date=May 16, 1999}}</ref>
* [[Chris von Wangenheim]], photographer<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/12/obituaries/chris-von-wagenheim-39-took-innivative-fashion-photographs.html |title=Chris von Wagenheim, 39, Took Innovative Fashion Photographs |work=The New York Times |date=March 12, 1981 |last1=Morris |first1=Bernardine }}</ref>
* [[Heather Watts]], dancer<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-09-me-29987-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Virginia |last=Watson |date=February 9, 1995 |title=CHATSWORTH : Watts Retires From New York City Ballet}}</ref>
* [[Elisha Whittlesey]], US congressman
* [[Damian Woetzel]], dancer<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/gossip/1999/06/10/1999-06-10_mick_s_a_hit_with_jerry___ki.html |location=New York |work=Daily News |title=Mick's A Hit With Jerry & Kids |date=June 10, 1999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023105358/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/gossip/1999/06/10/1999-06-10_mick_s_a_hit_with_jerry___ki.html |archive-date=October 23, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Jonathan Wolken]], choreographer<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2010/06/18/jonathan_wolken_founded_pilobolus_dance_troupe/ | work=The Boston Globe |first=Margalit |last=Fox |title=Jonathan Wolken; founded Pilobolus dance troupe |date=June 18, 2010}}</ref>
* [[Stuart Woods]], author<ref name="highbeam.com"/>
{{div col end}}

==In popular culture==
Television writer/producer [[Amy Sherman-Palladino]] used a trip to Washington Depot and the Mayflower Inn with her husband [[Daniel Palladino|Daniel]] as the inspiration and basis for the fictional town of [[Stars Hollow]] seen in her television series ''[[Gilmore Girls]]'', along with [[Lorelai Gilmore]]'s workplace, the Independence Inn. A ''Gilmore Girls'' [[fan convention|fan festival]] took place in the town in October 2016, in anticipation of the series' [[Netflix]] revival.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/24/gilmore-girls-fan-fest-stars-hollow|title=Gilmore Girls Fan Fest to take place in the town that inspired Stars Hollow|last=Kickham|first=Dylan|date=August 24, 2016|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=August 27, 2016}}</ref>

Portions of the 1981 horror movie ''[[Friday the 13th, Part 2]]'', were filmed in New Preston.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fridaythe13thfilms.com/bts/locations/part2.html|title = Friday the 13th Part 2: Film Location}}</ref>

Author [[Stuart Woods]]' principal character Stone Barrington had a house in Washington and often ate at the Mayflower Inn.  He drives from Manhattan to Washington in numerous novels.

==References==

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
;
* {{official website|http://www.washingtonct.org }}
* [http://www.wec-ct.org/ Washington Environmental Council]
* [http://www.washingtonbusinessassociation.org Washington Business Association]

{{Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Litchfield County, Connecticut}}
{{Connecticut}}
{{New York metropolitan area}}
{{New England}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Washington, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Litchfield County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in the New York metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Towns in Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut]]