Burlington, Connecticut

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Wikipedia

Burlington, Connecticut
Town
Brown Tavern
Brown Tavern
Official seal of Burlington, Connecticut
Seal
Motto: 
"A Town Where Community Counts"
Burlington's location within Hartford County and Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°45′31″N 72°57′28″W / 41.75861°N 72.95778°W / 41.75861; -72.95778
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyHartford
RegionNorthwest Hills
Incorporated1806
HamletsBurlington
Covey Corners
Lake Garda
Whigville
Government
 • TypeSelectman-town meeting
 • First SelectmanDouglas Thompson (R)[1]
 • SelectmenJames A. Chard (R)
David Goshdigian (D)
Joshua Y. Plourde (I)
Thomas E. Zabel (D)
Area
 • Total
30.4 sq mi (78.8 km2)
 • Land29.7 sq mi (77.0 km2)
 • Water0.66 sq mi (1.7 km2)
Elevation
[2]
817 ft (249 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
9,519
 • Density320.2/sq mi (123.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
06013
Area codes860/959
FIPS code09-10100
GNIS feature ID0213401[2]
U.S. Routes
Websitewww.burlingtonct.us

Burlington is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. Situated at the foot of the Berkshires and bordering the Farmington River, it is a scenic hill town, rural in nature, located 20 miles (32 km) west of Hartford. Incorporated in 1806, the population was 9,519 at the 2020 census.[3] The town is part of the Northwest Hills Planning Region.

History

The area that includes present-day Burlington was originally inhabited by the Tunxis tribe.[4]

The town was once part of larger Farmington Plantation. In 1785, it split away and became a part of the town of Bristol. On June 16, 1806, Burlington became a town in its own right.[5] Cottage industries flourished in the early decades of the town, including multiple clock-making operations. Upon the completion of the Farmington Canal in 1829, many industries ceased operations or moved to neighboring towns.[6]

In 1968, the remainder of the New Haven and Northampton Railroad branch that originally went to New Hartford and passed through Burlington was abandoned due to The Collins Company shutting down nearby factory operations in 1966.[7] The existing railway has since been converted into a multi-use paved rail trail that is a part of the New Haven and Northampton Canal Greenway.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 30.4 square miles (78.8 km2), of which 29.7 square miles (77.0 km2) is land and 0.66 square miles (1.7 km2), or 2.19%, is water.[8] Almost half of the land in the town is owned by three public water supply companies and the State of Connecticut.

Burlington is home to the State of Connecticut Fish Hatchery, Nassahegon State Forest, the Nepaug Reservoir, and Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area. Johnnycake Mountain is the highest point in the town at 1,165 ft (355 m).[9] The Tunxis Trail runs through the town north to south.[10]

Burlington presently borders the municipalities of Avon, Bristol, Canton, Farmington, Harwinton, New Hartford, and Plymouth.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Burlington has a warm-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Burlington was 100 °F (37.8 °C) on July 21–22, 1991, July 23, 2011, and June 24, 2025, while the coldest temperature recorded was −25 °F (−31.7 °C) on February 14, 2016.[11]

Climate data for Burlington, Connecticut, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1961–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 72
(22)		 80
(27)		 83
(28)		 94
(34)		 95
(35)		 100
(38)		 100
(38)		 98
(37)		 97
(36)		 89
(32)		 83
(28)		 75
(24)		 100
(38)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 57.3
(14.1)		 58.9
(14.9)		 67.0
(19.4)		 82.3
(27.9)		 88.8
(31.6)		 91.7
(33.2)		 93.5
(34.2)		 91.5
(33.1)		 88.2
(31.2)		 79.6
(26.4)		 70.6
(21.4)		 60.5
(15.8)		 95.5
(35.3)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 36.3
(2.4)		 39.1
(3.9)		 46.6
(8.1)		 59.5
(15.3)		 70.4
(21.3)		 78.5
(25.8)		 83.7
(28.7)		 82.0
(27.8)		 75.3
(24.1)		 63.3
(17.4)		 52.1
(11.2)		 41.4
(5.2)		 60.7
(15.9)
Daily mean °F (°C) 26.6
(−3.0)		 28.7
(−1.8)		 36.3
(2.4)		 47.8
(8.8)		 58.6
(14.8)		 67.6
(19.8)		 72.9
(22.7)		 71.1
(21.7)		 63.9
(17.7)		 52.0
(11.1)		 42.2
(5.7)		 32.7
(0.4)		 50.0
(10.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 17.0
(−8.3)		 18.3
(−7.6)		 25.9
(−3.4)		 36.1
(2.3)		 46.8
(8.2)		 56.6
(13.7)		 62.1
(16.7)		 60.2
(15.7)		 52.5
(11.4)		 40.8
(4.9)		 32.2
(0.1)		 24.0
(−4.4)		 39.4
(4.1)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −1.1
(−18.4)		 0.0
(−17.8)		 8.3
(−13.2)		 24.3
(−4.3)		 33.8
(1.0)		 43.3
(6.3)		 50.7
(10.4)		 49.6
(9.8)		 38.5
(3.6)		 27.1
(−2.7)		 17.6
(−8.0)		 7.0
(−13.9)		 −4.6
(−20.3)
Record low °F (°C) −18
(−28)		 −25
(−32)		 −6
(−21)		 13
(−11)		 22
(−6)		 27
(−3)		 37
(3)		 35
(2)		 24
(−4)		 16
(−9)		 1
(−17)		 −13
(−25)		 −25
(−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.65
(93)		 3.36
(85)		 4.22
(107)		 4.28
(109)		 4.19
(106)		 4.83
(123)		 4.44
(113)		 5.14
(131)		 5.01
(127)		 5.66
(144)		 3.87
(98)		 4.81
(122)		 53.46
(1,358)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 11.1
(28)		 11.8
(30)		 5.5
(14)		 0.5
(1.3)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.6
(1.5)		 0.8
(2.0)		 8.3
(21)		 38.6
(97.8)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.3 8.8 10.4 11.0 12.0 11.0 10.7 9.9 8.9 10.3 8.9 10.8 123.0
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 3.7 2.9 1.6 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 2.0 10.8
Source 1: NOAA[12]
Source 2: National Weather Service[11]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18201,360—
18501,161—
18601,031−11.2%
18701,31927.9%
18801,224−7.2%
18901,3026.4%
19001,218−6.5%
19101,3198.3%
19201,109−15.9%
19301,082−2.4%
19401,24615.2%
19501,84648.2%
19602,79051.1%
19704,07045.9%
19805,66039.1%
19907,02624.1%
20008,19016.6%
20109,30113.6%
20209,5192.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

As of the census[14] of 2010, there were 9,326 people, 3,303 households, and 2,691 families residing in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 96.5% White, 0.6% African American, 0.0% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.6% of the population.

There were 3,303 households, out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.4% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.5% were non-families. 18.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.0% under the age of 19, 6.4% from 20 to 29, 10.2% from 30 to 39, 20.6% from 40 to 49, 23.7% from 50 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.5 years.

Economic figures [14] for the town include a median income for a household at $105,250, and the median income for a family at $114,544. About 2.3% of families have incomes under $15,000/year and 11.9% of families have incomes over $200,000/year.

Economy

Burlington has a central business district which primarily runs along Spielman Highway (Route 4). In hopes of further developing the central business district, a Library Lane Advisory Commission was formed in June 2021 to help provide concepts for the use of the property. The Library Lane Advisory Commission presented a final report in January 2022 to the Board of Selectmen that focused on types of development, resident survey results, architecture and design, infrastructure improvements, and traffic studies.[15]

Parks and recreation

Burlington has four (4) recreation facilities with the newest being Johnnycake Mountain Park that was established in 2024. The other recreation facilities include Foote Road Recreation Complex, Malerbo Recreation Complex, and Nassahegan Recreation Complex which consist of playgrounds, soccer fields, lacrosse fields, baseball fields, and softball fields.

Sports

Burlington has annual road and trail races road that pass through the community, such as the Burlington to Collinsville Classic 10K that begins at Burlington's Lake Garda Elementary School and runs along the Farmington River on the New Haven and Northampton Canal Greenway and finishing in Collinsville.[16]

The Tunxis Trail Races, which are organized by the Burlington Land Trust throughout the year, typically include 5K, 8K, 30K, and 60K distances that pass through notable landmarks.[17]

Government and politics

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 31, 2024[18]
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Republican 2,142 97 2,239 29.40%
Democratic 1,872 75 1,947 25.56%
Unaffiliated 3,085 189 3,274 42.98%
Minor parties 142 16 158 2.07%
Total 7,241 377 7,618 100%
Burlington town vote
by party in presidential elections[19][20]
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2024 48.01% 2,782 50.37% 2,919 1.62% 94
2020 49.72% 3,099 48.68% 3,034 1.60% 100
2016 43.68% 2,352 51.49% 2,773 4.83% 260
2012 46.23% 2,357 52.63% 2,683 1.14% 58
2008 52.08% 2,716 46.14% 2,406 1.78% 93
2004 48.84% 2,501 49.58% 2,539 1.58% 81
2000 49.26% 2,137 45.30% 1,965 5.44% 236
1996 45.51% 1,747 40.32% 1,548 14.17% 544
1992 37.03% 1,511 35.73% 1,458 27.25% 1,112
1988 44.07% 1,413 54.96% 1,762 0.97% 31
1984 33.84% 994 65.99% 1,938 0.17% 5
1980 35.81% 953 47.69% 1,269 16.50% 439
1976 45.08% 972 54.55% 1,176 0.37% 8
1972 38.53% 722 60.09% 1,126 1.39% 26
1968 43.81% 648 46.65% 690 9.54% 141
1964 66.26% 860 33.74% 438 0.00% 0
1960 48.28% 644 51.72% 690 0.00% 0
1956 30.35% 305 69.65% 700 0.00% 0

Education

In 1779, the Congregational Church laid out nine school districts, each with its own schoolhouse. In 1948, Burlington Consolidated School opened to replace these schoolhouses. By 1962, the Regional School District #10 was established to serve Burlington and Harwinton.

The four current schools within the district are;

  • Lake Garda School (Pre-K to Grade 4) - Opened in 1965
  • Harwinton Consolidated School (Pre-K to Grade 4) - Opened in 1948
  • Har-Bur Middle School (Grade 5 to Grade 8) - Opened in 1973
  • Lewis S. Mills High School (Grade 9 to Grade 12) - Opened in 1961

The Burlington Consolidated School is currently used as Town Hall by Burlington after it was closed 1965.

Infrastructure

Airports

Johnnycake Mountain Meadows Airfield (22B) was an airport in the northwestern corner of Burlington and was sometimes referenced as "Mountain Meadows". The airport had a 2,400 ft northwest to southwest runway with a flight school and fuel depot that closed on April 1, 2004 after the owner no longer wanted an airport on his property.[21]

On September 2, 2023, a single-engine plane made an emergency landing in the cornfield slightly south of the airport with no casualties.[22]

Emergency services

The Burlington Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) provides fire, rescue and emergency medical services to Burlington. The fire department operates four (4) stations;

  • Station 1 - Headquarters - 719 George Washington Turnpike
  • Station 2 - Chippens Hill - 120 West Chippens Hill Road
  • Station 3 - Whigville - 354 Jerome Avenue
  • Station 4 - Lake Garda - 87 Monce Road

Notable locations

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 20, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Burlington, Connecticut
  3. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Burlington town, Hartford County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  4. ↑ De Forest, John W. History of the Indians of Connecticut from the Earliest Known Period to 1850. Hartford: Wm. J. Hamersley, 1852.
  5. ↑ The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 331.
  6. ↑ Peck, Epaphroditus (1906). Burlington, Connecticut. Bristol, CT: Bristol press publishing co. pp. 22–27.
  7. ↑ Karr, Ronald Dale (2017). The Rail Lines of Southern New England (2nd ed.). Pepperell, Massachusetts: Branch Line Press. ISBN 978-0942147124. OCLC 1038017689.
  8. ↑ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Burlington town, Hartford County, Connecticut". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Geographic Names Information System". edits.nationalmap.gov. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Tunxis Trail - Connecticut Forest and Park Association". Connecticut Forest and Park Association -. July 20, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  11. 1 2 "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Boston". National Weather Service. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  12. ↑ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Burlington, CT". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Library Lane Advisory Commission (LLAC) Report to the Board of Selectman" (PDF). Town of Burlington. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Burlington to Collinsville Classic 10K". Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Burlington Land Trust". Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 31, 2024" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  19. ↑ "General Elections Statement of Vote 1922".
  20. ↑ "Election Night Reporting". CT Secretary of State. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  21. ↑ Stacom, Don (May 10, 2004). "A Big Debate Over a Tiny Airport". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  22. ↑ Kalentek, Olivia (September 2, 2023). "Plane lands in cornfield near old airport in Burlington". WFSB. Retrieved September 3, 2025.