City of Groton

City of Groton
Name	City of Groton
Settlement type	City
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	U.S. state
Subdivision name1	Connecticut
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	New London
Established title	Incorporated (town)
Established date	1705
Established title2	Incorporated (city)
Established date2	1964
Government type	Mayor-Council
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Keith Hedrick
Area total km2	45.1
Area land km2	33.5
Area water km2	11.6
Elevation m	20
Elevation ft	66
Population total	9,387
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	280.2
Timezone	EST
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	06340
Area code	860
Website	www.cityofgroton.com

City of Groton is a consolidated city-town located in New London County, Connecticut, situated directly across the Thames River from the city of New London. It is best known as the home of the General Dynamics Electric Boat division, the primary builder of U.S. Navy submarines, and the Naval Submarine Base New London, the U.S. Navy's primary East Coast submarine base. The city, which operates under a consolidated government with the adjacent Town of Groton, is a major hub for naval defense and maritime technology, featuring a deepwater port on Long Island Sound.

History

The area was originally inhabited by the Pequot people before English settlers from the Massachusetts Bay Colony established the community in 1649, naming it after Groton in England. It played a role in the Pequot War and later saw significant action during the American Revolutionary War, most notably with the Battle of Groton Heights and the burning of Fort Griswold by British forces under Benedict Arnold in 1781. The city's maritime and industrial character was solidified in the 19th and 20th centuries with the establishment of major shipyards, including the Groton Iron Works and later the Electric Boat Company, which constructed the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, USS *Nautilus* (SSN-571), commissioned in 1954. The Naval Submarine Base New London was established during World War I and became a critical center for the United States Submarine Force.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the City of Groton has a total area of 45.1 square kilometers, of which 33.5 square kilometers is land and 11.6 square kilometers is water, primarily consisting of the Thames River estuary and frontage on Long Island Sound. It is bordered by the Town of Groton to the north and east, the city of New London to the west across the Thames River, and Fishers Island Sound to the south. Notable geographic features include Avery Point, the site of the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus and a historic lighthouse, and the Groton Long Point peninsula. The city's terrain is characterized by rolling hills and a rocky coastline.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the City of Groton had a population of 9,387. The racial makeup was predominantly Non-Hispanic White, with significant populations of Hispanic or Latino, African American, and Asian residents. The population density was approximately 280 persons per square kilometer. The city's demographics are heavily influenced by the presence of the Naval Submarine Base New London and General Dynamics Electric Boat, attracting a transient military and skilled technical workforce. Many residents have ties to the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, or the defense contracting industry.

Government

The City of Groton operates under a consolidated Mayor-Council form of government with the adjacent Town of Groton, a structure established in 1964. The chief executive is the Mayor, currently Keith Hedrick, who is elected at-large. The legislative body is the Groton City Council, consisting of seven members elected from districts. The city provides its own police, fire, and public works services. It is part of Connecticut's 2nd congressional district, represented in the United States House of Representatives by Joe Courtney, and falls within the 20th District of the Connecticut State Senate.

Economy

The economy of the City of Groton is dominated by the defense and maritime industries, anchored by General Dynamics Electric Boat, a division of General Dynamics, which is the region's largest employer and a primary contractor for the *Virginia*-class and *Columbia*-class submarines for the United States Navy. The Naval Submarine Base New London, home to the Naval Submarine School and numerous attack submarines, is a major economic and operational driver. Other significant employers include Pfizer, which has a major research facility nearby, and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. The city's deepwater port supports commercial fishing and maritime logistics, while tourism is bolstered by attractions like the USS *Nautilus* and the Submarine Force Museum.

Education

Public education is managed by the Groton Public Schools district, which serves both the city and town. Notable schools include the Robert E. Fitch High School and the Cutler Middle School. The city is also home to a branch of the University of Connecticut at Avery Point, which offers programs in maritime studies, oceanography, and engineering. The United States Coast Guard Academy is located directly across the Thames River in New London. Additionally, the Naval Submarine Base New London hosts the Naval Submarine School for training Navy personnel. Private education options include the Sacred Heart School.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with the City of Groton include John A. Volpe, former United States Secretary of Transportation and Governor of Massachusetts; Diana McQueen, former Alberta Minister of Energy; and Clarence D. Rappleyea, former Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly. Renowned naval officers with ties to the city include Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, the "Father of the Nuclear Navy," who oversaw the development of the USS *Nautilus* at Electric Boat, and Vice Admiral Charles B. Momsen, a pioneering submariner and inventor. The actress Tallulah Bankhead also had a residence in the area.

Category:Cities in Connecticut Category:New London County, Connecticut Category:Populated coastal places in Connecticut