Focus on Connecticut

Connecticut is known as the “Constitution” state.  It derives its name from its long history dating from early colonial times and due to the fact that its earliest Constitution was influential in the development of our country’s early government and consequent U.S. Constitution.  The state obtained its name from the Mohegan word “quinnitkut”, meaning “place of long tidal river”. 

The Dutch were the earliest European settlers and before them the land was inhabited by various Algonquin tribes.  By 1623, the Dutch West India Co. regularly traded furs and controlled the land.  Encroaching English colonists made them agree to the treaty of Hartford and by 1654 they were essentially gone.  Warring tribes led the English to form a self-government.  Due to that, Connecticut was the only one of the 13 original colonies involved in the American Revolution that didn’t have an internal revolution of its own.  In fact, that self-government remained intact even after the revolution until the U.S. Constitution was adopted. 

The state prospered with its seaports and industry.  Their industry attracted European immigrants, largely of Italian and Polish descent.  During the Cold War, Connecticut built the first nuclear powered submarine and other essential weapons.  The increased job market gave the state the highest per capita income and that statistic remains today.  The increased standard of living brought suburban development and the construction of major highways.  Connecticut thrived through the 1980’s during the Reagan era defense build up.  The bustling economy brought many well know corporations such as GE, American Brands and Union Carbide.  Due to its proximity to New York City, modern Connecticut has become a predominantly suburban state.  Then, in the 1990’s, Indian casinos generated enormous revenues which allowed the state’s economy to further diversify by adding an entertainment industry, including the arrival of  ESPN.

Today’s economy remains diverse.  Its agricultural economy is based on nursery stock, dairy products, clams and lobsters, cattle and tobacco.  The industrial output is comprised mainly of transportation equipment, heavy industry machinery, military weapons, pharmaceutical products and scientific instruments. Greater Hartford is an international center for the insurance industry and is often called the insurance capitol of the world.    Arts, film, history and tourism round out the economy by generating more than 14 billion in economic activity and over 170,000 jobs per year.  Education is also a big piece of the economy.  The state is home to Yale University, Wesleyan, Trinity College, numerous boarding schools and many noted private day schools.  The schools draw students, educators and researchers from around the world. 

The per capita income for 2007 was $54,117 ranking it first in the states.  Interestingly, Hartford proper, the capitol, has one of the lowest per capita incomes at just over $13,000.  However, if one should combine the immediate suburbs in the equation, Hartford would be one of the richest cities in the country. 

The state has two personal income tax brackets which are 3 and 5 percent.  The latter starts at $10,000.  All wages of a resident are subject to the tax even if the income was earned elsewhere, but only to the extent Connecticut’s tax exceeds the other state’s.  That effectively means that residents that work in New York pay no income tax to Connecticut.  The sales tax is 6%, with no local option.  All real and tangible personal property is taxable unless specifically exempted by statute.  Assessments are made at 70% of fair market value.  Another 20% can be assessed by local government.  There is no state property tax but per capita the property taxes are the 2^nd highest in the nation. The gas tax is the 2^nd highest in the nation and the cigarette tax is the 2^nd highest overall.

Their Tax Freedom Day is the latest in the nation.  As to corporate taxes, the rate is 7.5% on all corporate income and the state’s business climate ranks 38^th in the country.

The real estate market is high.  Fairfield County has the most expensive homes in Connecticut with most selling at over 1.5 million.  This area is often referred to as the “Gold Coast”.  After California, the state has the most million dollar or over homes in the U.S. The median house price state-wide is $300,000. 

The political climate tends to be moderate.  The current governor is a female Republican, although the state tends to lean more Democratic.  That dichotomy is perhaps explained by the fact that 44% of voters consider themselves to be neither party.  33% of voters are registered Democrats while 22% are registered Republicans. 

The state does not have county governments.  The entire state is divided into 169 towns and 21 cities.  Where there are nearby cities and towns, most have a merged government.

The state was the 5^th of the original 13 states.  The population is just over 3.5 million making it the 30^th most populous state.  However it is the 4^th most densely populated state.  Nearly 25% are under 18 and almost 14% are over 65.  In 1790, 97% were classified as rural while in 2000, only 12.3% were.  86% are considered white and nearly 11% are black.  The largest ancestries are Italian at 18.6%,  Irish at 16.6%, English at 10%, German at 10% and French/French Canadian are another 10%.  There is also a relatively large Hungarian population, the majority of which live near New York.  The largest religion is Catholic at 32% followed by Baptist at 10%, Episcopalian at 6% and Protestant at 4%.  New England’s largest Protestant Church is in Bloomfield.

The climate is considered humid continental with seasonal extremes.  Winters are cold with average temperatures ranging from 23-31 in January.  The average snowfall is 25-100 inches across the state with the highest amounts in the northwest.  Spring brings lots of rain. Summers are hot and humid with average temperatures ranging from 81-87.  Fall is mild and brings beautiful foliage.  Thunderstorms can be severe in the summer and average around 30, but tornadoes and other severe weather are rare.

The terrain consists of grassy rolling hills, lakes, forests and large expanses known as “Greens”.  Many towns center around these grassy areas and have such standard historical structures as small white churches, colonial meeting halls and colonial taverns.  Combined with easily accessible lakes, waterfalls and coastline, they all make for a healthy tourism trade.

Famous persons associated with the state include Noah Webster, Ralph Nader, Eli Whitney, Benedict Arnold, Katherine Hepburn and Harriet Beecher Stowe.  George W. Bush, Sr. was born there.

Connecticut is close to both New York City and Boston.  As such it is a battlefield for fans of the New York Yankees, The Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets.  In part due to its proximity to those cities and all they offer also makes it home to many active adult communities scattered across the state.  You can find these on our website at www.activeadultliving.com. 

Look for our special edition of Active Adult Living News coming soon focusing on manufactured housing active adult communities and next month for our issue with a focus on Virginia.  Till next time, happy house hunting!

Dee Chandler

Editor

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