Easton, Connecticut
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| Easton, Connecticut | |
|---|---|
| Name | Easton |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Subdivision type | U.S. state |
| Subdivision name | Connecticut |
| Subdivision type1 | County |
| Subdivision name1 | Fairfield |
| Subdivision type2 | Metropolitan area |
| Subdivision name2 | Bridgeport metropolitan area |
| Established title | Incorporated |
| Established date | 1845 |
| Government type | Selectman–town meeting |
| Leader title | First Selectman |
| Leader name | David Bindelglass |
| Area total km2 | 74.3 |
| Area total sq mi | 28.7 |
| Area land km2 | 72.0 |
| Area land sq mi | 27.8 |
| Area water km2 | 2.3 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.9 |
| Elevation m | 118 |
| Elevation ft | 387 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 7605 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 06612 |
| Area code | 203/475 |
| Website | www.eastonct.gov |
Easton, Connecticut is a rural residential town in Fairfield County. It was incorporated in 1845 from a portion of the neighboring town of Weston. Known for its preserved open space and historic character, the community is part of the Bridgeport metropolitan area and is governed by a Board of Selectmen and Town meeting.
History
The area was originally part of the Fairfield land purchase from the Paugussett people. Settlement began in the 18th century, with the community functioning as the "North Parish" of Fairfield. Key early industries included farming, milling along the Aspetuck River, and quarrying for the distinctive brownstone used in notable buildings like New York City Hall and the Smithsonian Institution Building. The town formally separated from Weston in 1845, named for a local estate. The arrival of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in the late 19th century spurred the growth of estates and gentleman farms. Throughout the 20th century, a strong commitment to land preservation, led by organizations like the Aspetuck Land Trust and the town's own Easton Land Trust, has maintained its rural landscape, with over 30% of its area protected as open space.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.7 square miles, of which 27.8 square miles is land and 0.9 square miles is water. Major water bodies include the Aspetuck River and its reservoirs, such as the Aspetuck Reservoir and Saugatuck Reservoir, which are part of the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company system supplying water to the region. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills, wooded areas, and significant wetlands. Easton borders the towns of Weston to the west, Fairfield to the south, Trumbull to the east, and Redding to the north. A portion of the Route 58 corridor is a designated Connecticut Scenic Road.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 7,605. The population density was approximately 274 people per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with smaller populations identifying as Asian, Hispanic or Latino, and Two or More Races. The median household income is significantly higher than the state and national averages, and a large percentage of the housing stock consists of single-family homes on sizable lots. The town is part of the Bridgeport metropolitan area and many residents commute to employment centers in Fairfield County, New York City, and Stamford.
Government and infrastructure
The town operates under a Selectman–town meeting form of government, with a three-member Board of Selectmen and an appointed Town Administrator. Key elected officials include the First Selectman and the Town Clerk. Essential services are provided by a combination of town departments and regional entities; for instance, public water is supplied by the Aquarion Water Company and emergency medical services are provided by the Easton Volunteer Emergency Medical Service. The town is part of Connecticut's 4th congressional district, represented in the United States House of Representatives by Jim Himes, and in the Connecticut General Assembly by members of the Connecticut Senate and Connecticut House of Representatives.
Education
Public education is managed by the Easton Public Schools district, which operates Samuel Staples Elementary School and Helen Keller Middle School. For high school, students attend Joel Barlow High School, a regional school shared with the town of Redding and operated by the Easton-Redding Regional School District No. 9. The town also hosts several private educational institutions, including the Unity Park preschool and the Fusion Global Academy. The Easton Public Library, a member of the Bibliomation network, serves as a community hub for lifelong learning and cultural programming.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with the town include actress and singer Annie Golden, former Major League Baseball player and manager Johnny Neun, and television personality Martha Stewart, who owned a farm estate. Famed illustrator and author Maurice Sendak lived in the town for many years, as did Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and translator Richard Wilbur. Other residents have included financier and philanthropist Stephen Adams and former NFL quarterback and sports analyst Boomer Esiason.
Category:Towns in Connecticut Category:Towns in Fairfield County, Connecticut Category:1845 establishments in Connecticut