Westbrook, Connecticut

Westbrook is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 6,292 at the 2000 census. The town center is also classified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP).

Geography
Westbrook lies in the shoreline area of the state. The town is bordered by the towns of Essex, Clinton, and Old Saybrook, where the Connecticut River empties into Long Island Sound. The Salt Meadow Unit of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge is located in town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 21.4 square miles (55.4 km²), of which, 15.7 square miles (40.7 km²) is land and 5.7 square miles (14.7 km²) (26.47%) is water. The CDP has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.6 km²) of which 22.33% is water.

Principal communities

 * Grove Beach
 * Pond Meadow
 * Westbrook center

Other minor communities and geographic features in the town are: Chapman Beach, Coral Sands, Grove Beach Point, Grove Beach Terrace, Horse Hill, Island View, Kelsey Point, Little Standard, Middle Beach, Pilot's Point, Pointina, Quotonset Beach, Sagamore Terrace, Salt Works, Stannard Beach, West Beach.

History
David Bushnell, the inventor of the submarine, was born in what is now Westbrook in 1742. The name of his submarine was the "Turtle".

Art Carney, Academy Award-winning actor, lived in Westbrook for some time before his death in 2003 at a rest home in Chester.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,292 people, 2,605 households, and 1,693 families residing in the town. The population density was 400.3 people per square mile (154.5/km²). There were 3,460 housing units at an average density of 220.1/sq mi (85.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.76% White, 0.70% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.51% of the population.

There were 2,605 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $57,531, and the median income for a family was $71,344. Males had a median income of $46,889 versus $32,227 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,680. About 2.7% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

CDP
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,238 people, 1,052 households, and 551 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 514.3/km² (1,336.0/sq mi). There were 1,662 housing units at an average density of 992.2/sq mi (382.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.50% White, 1.39% African American, 0.09% Native American, 2.19% Asian, 0.63% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.19% of the population.

There were 1,052 households out of which 18.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.6% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 16.1% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,385, and the median income for a family was $59,375. Males had a median income of $40,707 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $29,866. About 3.7% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Westbrook's public elementary school, The Daisy Ingraham Elementary School, was recently the recipient of a Blue Ribbon honor for excellence. A new middle school, connected to the high school, Westbrook High School, opened in 2005.

Oxford Academy, an all-boys boarding school, has been located in Westbrook since 1973.

Emergency services
The town of Westbrook is the home of Connecticut State Police Troop F, located on Interstate 95 and Spencer Plains Road. Police services in Westbrook are coordinated by a Resident State Trooper and several Police Constables. Constables patrol during the day and evening hours while overnight patrol is provided by the State Police.

Fire protection is provided by the Westbrook Fire Department (a.k.a Westbrook Chemical Engine Company), located on South Main Street. This all-volunteer department is responsible for response to alarms of fire, rescue emergencies and medical emergencies. Emergency Medical Services are provided by the Westbrook Ambulance Association, a paid-on-call basic life support service. Paramedic services are provided by Middlesex Hospital from their satellite facility in Essex, CT.

Transportation
The Estuary Transit District provides public transportation throughout Westbrook and the surrounding towns through its 9 Town Transit Service. Services include connections to the Old Saybrook Train Station, served by Amtrak and Shoreline East railroads.

Famous residents, past and present

 * Everett Bacon (1890–1989), athlete and World War I veteran was born in town.
 * Vicki Hearne (1946—2001), animal trainer, author and literary critic was a long time resident.
 * George Lessey (1879–1947), silent movie actor lived his later years and died in Westbrook.