Somers, Connecticut

Somers is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, USA. The population was 10,417 at the 2000 census. The town center is listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP). In 2007, Money Magazine named Somers, Connecticut 53rd on its list of 100 Best Places to Live, based on "economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community."

Bordering Massachusetts, Somers is considered part of the City of Springfield, Massachusetts NECTA. Somers is only 9 miles from the City of Springfield, Massachusetts, and considered more oriented toward it than the City of Hartford, Connecticut which lies 16 miles to the south.

History
Somers was originally part of the Agawam Plantation in the 17th century. Agawam Plantation became Springfield, Massachusetts in 1641 and in 1682, the Enfield Parish broke off from the Springfield settlement. In 1706, the first settler came to Somers in what was then East Enfield. In the year 1734, Somers became a town and was named after John Somers, 1st Baron Somers. In the year 1749, Somers joined the Connecticut Colony. The Four Town Fair which is usually held after the third weekend in September is one of the oldest fairs in the Country.

Geography
Somers is located at 41.98333°N, -72.45°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.5 sqmi, of which, 28.3 sqmi of it is land and 0.1 sqmi of it (0.49%) is water. The town center CDP has a total area of 2.1 sqmi, all land.

The town's highest point, Bald Mountain, at 1121 ft is the highest point along the Connecticut River Valley in Connecticut. The rounded hill summit was recently purchased by the town and can be seen for many miles around.

Neighborhoods

 * Central Somers, or Somers Center, location of Somers Historic District
 * Somersville
 * North Somers
 * Hall Hill
 * Gulf Road

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,417 people, 2,925 households, and 2,337 families residing in the town. The population density was 367.6 people per square mile (141.9/km²). There were 3,012 housing units at an average density of 106.3 per square mile (41.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 82.97% White, 9.82% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.00% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.10% of the population.

There were 2,925 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.4% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.1% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 154.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 171.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $65,273, and the median income for a family was $71,757. Males had a median income of $49,766 versus $35,329 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,952. About 3.7% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Town center
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,626 people, 628 households, and 457 families residing in the town center CDP. The population density was 777.3 inhabitants per square mile (300.4/km²). There were 645 housing units at an average density of 308.3 per square mile (119.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.15% White, 0.18% African American, 0.55% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

There were 628 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $54,625, and the median income for a family was $64,107. Males had a median income of $45,893 versus $31,736 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,874. About 4.0% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure
Two Connecticut Department of Corrections prisons, Northern Correctional Institution and Osborn Correctional Institution, are in Somers. Northern houses the state's death row for men. Osborn houses the state's execution chamber.

Education
Somers School District. Somers Elementary (SES). Mabelle B. Avery Middle School. Somers High School.

Recreation
The Town of Somers maintains several recreation facilities, the largest being the facility on Field Road which features a pavilion, playscape, tennis courts and ball fields. The Shenipsit State Forest along with the Shenipsit Trail is also partially located in Somers, along with Soapstone Mountain, the highest point in the state forest. The Scantic River State Park is also partially located in Somers. The Northern Connecticut Land Trust also has several properties in town.

Famous residents, past and present

 * George Abbe (1911–1989), poet.
 * William Strong (1808–1895), US Congressman from Pennsylvania and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States was born in Somers.
 * "Little Sorrel," the favorite horse of Confederate general Stonewall Jackson, was born at a farm in Somers.
 * Gene Pitney (1941 - 2006), singer.
 * S. Prestley Blake, co-founder of Friendly's
 * Christopher Houlihan, professional organist.