Ansonia is a city and town located in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, immediately north of Derby and about 12 miles northwest of New Haven. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,554. The zip code for Ansonia is 06401. The city has a Metro North train station, and the Route 8 Expressway serves the city.
Ansonia is known for its devotion to its high school football team, the Ansonia Chargers. The Chargers' arch-rival come from Derby, whose team is called the Derby Red Raiders. The annual Ansonia-Derby game is one of the most important events of the year.
In 2005-2006, the Ansonia school system was subject to negative publicity from television stations based in New Haven and Hartford surrounding the large class sizes in its elementary schools.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.0 km2 (6.2 mi2). 15.6 km2 (6.0 mi2) of it is land and 0.4 km2 (0.2 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 2.58% water.
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 18,554 people, 7,507 households, and 4,977 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,188.0/km2 (3,076.3/mi2). There are 7,937 housing units at an average density of 508.2/km2 (1,316.0/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 85.52% White, 8.42% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.22% from other races, and 2.37% from two or more races. 7.42% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 7,507 households out of which 31.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% are married couples living together, 15.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% are non-families. 28.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.46 and the average family size is 3.03.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $43,026, and the median income for a family is $53,718. Males have a median income of $30,747 versus $28,517 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,504. 7.6% of the population and 6.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.3% of those under the age of 18 and 5.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The city has extensive manufactures of heavy machinery, electric supplies, brass and copper products, and silk goods. Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, and Seymour form one of the most important industrial communities in the state. The highly successful Ansonia Clock Company started manufacturing Ansonia clocks here in 1851, before moving to Brooklyn, New York, in 1878. The original name of the company, however, was retained.
The city, settled in 1840 and named in honor of the merchant and philanthropist Anson Green Phelps (1781-1853), was originally a part of the township of Derby; it was chartered as a borough in 1864 and as a city in 1893, when the township of Ansonia, which had been incorporated in 1889, and the city were consolidated.
Ansonia suffered grevious damage from the Great Flood of 1955, which occurred as a result of Hurricane Diane. Much of the area flanking the river was submerged and many homes and businesses were destroyed. The Maple Street Bridge linking the east and west sides of the city was swept away.
In recent years Ansonia's Main Street has undergone something of a revival with the arrival of several antique stores.
Source:
AnsoniaConnecticut.com
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