Vernon (/ˈvɜːrnɪn/ VER-nin) is the most populous town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Capitol Planning Region. The population was 30,215 at the 2020 census.[1] Vernon contains the smaller villages of Talcottville and Dobsonville. Vernon contains the former City of Rockville.

Vernon, Connecticut
Town of Vernon
The Tower on Fox Hill in Henry Park
The Tower on Fox Hill in Henry Park
Flag of Vernon, Connecticut
Official seal of Vernon, Connecticut
Motto: 
The Crossroads for Opportunity
Vernon's location within Tolland County and Connecticut
Vernon's location within the Capitol Planning Region and the state of Connecticut
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates: 41°50′13″N 72°27′38″W / 41.83694°N 72.46056°W / 41.83694; -72.46056
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyTolland
RegionCapitol Region
Incorporated1808
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • MayorDaniel A. Champagne
Area
 • Total18.1 sq mi (46.9 km2)
 • Land17.7 sq mi (45.8 km2)
 • Water0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2)
Elevation
390 ft (119 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total30,215
 • Density1,709/sq mi (659.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
06066
Area code(s)860/959
FIPS code09-78250
GNIS feature ID0213520
Major highways
Websitewww.vernon-ct.gov

History

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Vernon was incorporated in October 1808, from Bolton.[2] Vernon was named after George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. Vernon contains the former city of Rockville, incorporated in January 1889 and consolidated in January 1965.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.1 square miles (47 km2), of which 17.7 square miles (46 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (1.88%) is water.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1810827
182096616.8%
18301,16420.5%
18401,43022.9%
18502,900102.8%
18603,83832.3%
18705,44641.9%
18806,91527.0%
18908,80827.4%
19008,483−3.7%
19109,0877.1%
19208,898−2.1%
19308,703−2.2%
19408,9783.2%
195010,11512.7%
196016,96167.7%
197027,23760.6%
198027,9742.7%
199029,8416.7%
200028,063−6.0%
201029,1794.0%
202030,2153.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[3]

At the 2000 census,[4] there were 28,063 people, 12,269 households and 7,275 families living in the town. The population density was 1,582.8 inhabitants per square mile (611.1/km2). There were 12,867 housing units at an average density of 725.7 per square mile (280.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 89.95% White, 3.99% African American, 0.24% Native American, 2.65% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.22% from other races, and 1.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.58% of the population.

There were 12,269 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.7% were non-families. Of all households, 33.0% were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.90.

Of the population, 22.1% was under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $47,816, and the median income for a family was $59,599. Males had a median income of $43,620 versus $31,515 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,150. About 4.1% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

City of Rockville

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Most of Rockville has been designated as part of the Rockville Historic District. The district is roughly bounded by Shenipsit Street, Davis Avenue, West Street and South Street was added in 1984 to the National Register of Historic Places. The district includes 842 buildings and one other structure. It includes examples of Greek Revival, Late Victorian, and Classical Revival architecture. The historic district includes 842 buildings and one other structure over 550 acres (2.2 km2). The Population of this part of Vernon is 7,474.

Buildings of architectural or historic interest in Rockville include:

Education

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Elementary schools

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  • Lake Street School
  • Maple Street School
  • Northeast School
  • Center Road School
  • Skinner Road School

Middle and secondary schools

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  • Vernon Center Middle School

Secondary schools

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Economy

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Top employers in Vernon according to the town's 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report[5]

# Employer # of Employees
1 Town of Vernon 834
2 Rockville General Hospital 414
3 Visiting Nurses and Health Services 343
4 Stop & Shop 287
5 Vernon Manor 186
6 ShopRite 169
7 TJ Maxx & Home Goods 168
8 Fox Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation 157
9 Rein's Delicatessen 132
10 State of Connecticut 123

Emergency Services

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Fire

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Fire protection for the Town of Vernon is provided by the Town of Vernon Fire Department, formed in 1980 when the Vernon Fire District and the Rockville Fire Department merged. The Town of Vernon Fire Department (TVFD) is an all volunteer fire department that operates out of five fire stations as well as a Public Safety Building which houses EMS operations, department administration, the Office of Emergency and Risk Management, as well as the town's Emergency Operations Center.[6]

The Department operates five engine companies, one heavy rescue, one squad (engine rescue) and two tower ladders. The Department also has an EMS Division which operates BLS (Basic Life Support) transport ambulances. The TVFD is dispatched by Tolland County Mutual Fire Service (Station TN)..[7]

Points of interest

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  • Arts Center East
  • Belding Wildlife Property
  • Gene Pitney Exhibit in Town Hall
  • New England Civil War Museum
  • Rails to Trails
  • Rockville Community Alliance
  • Rockville Farmers Market
  • Rockville Public Library
  • Talcottville Historic District
  • Talcottville Ravine
  • Valley Falls Park
  • Vernon Historical Society
  • Victorian Homes
  • Henry Park/Fox Hill Tower

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Cenus - Geography Profile: Vernon town, Tolland County, Connecticut". Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  2. ^ The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 335.
  3. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  4. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "Town of Vernon Comprehensive Annual Financial Report For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023" (PDF). Town of Vernon. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  6. ^ "Town of Vernon Fire Department". Town of Vernon. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "Tolland County Mutual Aid Fire Service". Tolland County Mutual Aid Fire Service. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  8. ^ Fukada, Robert Mikio (2000). "Talcott, Eliza (1836-1911), missionary to Japan". American National Biography. doi:10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0801499. ISBN 978-0-19-860669-7. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
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