Ridgefield, Connecticut
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Ridgefield, Connecticut | ||
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![]() Ridgefield Town Hall | ||
FIPS code 09-63970 | | |
GNIS feature ID | 0213496 | |
Website | www |
Ridgefield is an affluent
History
This section needs additional citations for verification. (April 2014) |
Ridgefield was first settled by English colonists from
In the summer of 1781, the French army under the




For much of its three centuries, Ridgefield was a farming community. Among the important families in the 19th century were the Rockwells and Lounsburys, which intermarried. They produced two Connecticut governors, brothers and business partners
In the late 19th century, spurred by the new railroad connection to its lofty village and the fact that nearby countryside reaches 1,000 feet (300 m) above sea level, Ridgefield began to be discovered by wealthy New York City residents, who assembled large estates and built huge "summer cottages" throughout the higher sections of town. Among the more noteworthy estates were Col. Louis D. Conley's "Outpost Farm", which at one point totaled nearly 2,000 acres (8.1 km2), some of which is now Bennett's Pond State Park;
These and dozens of other estates became unaffordable and unwieldy during and after the Great Depression, and most were broken up. Many mansions were razed. In their place came subdivisions of one- and 2-acre (8,100 m2) lots that turned the town into a suburban, bedroom community in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. However, strict planning and zoning has frozen development and locked in the aesthetic appearance of the 19th- and early 20th-century through to the 21st-century, especially along its famous mile-long Main Street.[citation needed]
In 1946, Ridgefield was one of the locations considered for the United Nations Secretariat building,[6] but was not chosen due to its relative inaccessibility.[citation needed]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.0 square miles (91 km2), of which 34.4 square miles (89 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2), or 1.52%, is water. Ridgefield is bordered by the towns of North Salem and Lewisboro in Westchester County, New York and the town of Southeast in Putnam County, New York to the west, Danbury to the north, Wilton to the south and Redding to the east.
The
Geology
Ridgefield consists of hilly, rocky terrain, ranging from 1,060 feet (320 m) above sea level (at
Climate
Climate data for Ridgefield, Connecticut | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 71 (22) |
77 (25) |
92 (33) |
95 (35) |
97 (36) |
98 (37) |
106 (41) |
103 (39) |
100 (38) |
89 (32) |
82 (28) |
76 (24) |
106 (41) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 36 (2) |
40 (4) |
49 (9) |
61 (16) |
72 (22) |
81 (27) |
85 (29) |
83 (28) |
75 (24) |
63 (17) |
51 (11) |
40 (4) |
61 (16) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 19 (−7) |
22 (−6) |
29 (−2) |
39 (4) |
48 (9) |
59 (15) |
64 (18) |
62 (17) |
53 (12) |
42 (6) |
34 (1) |
25 (−4) |
41 (5) |
Record low °F (°C) | −18 (−28) |
−10 (−23) |
−9 (−23) |
14 (−10) |
26 (−3) |
36 (2) |
40 (4) |
38 (3) |
28 (−2) |
19 (−7) |
10 (−12) |
−11 (−24) |
−18 (−28) |
Average rainfall inches (mm) | 3.76 (96) |
3.30 (84) |
4.43 (113) |
4.36 (111) |
4.57 (116) |
4.74 (120) |
4.99 (127) |
4.55 (116) |
4.66 (118) |
4.89 (124) |
4.54 (115) |
4.16 (106) |
52.95 (1,345) |
Source: [9] |
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1790 | 1,947 | — | |
1800 | 2,025 | 4.0% | |
1810 | 2,103 | 3.9% | |
1820 | 2,310 | 9.8% | |
1830 | 2,305 | −0.2% | |
1840 | 2,474 | 7.3% | |
1850 | 2,337 | −5.5% | |
1860 | 2,213 | −5.3% | |
1870 | 1,919 | −13.3% | |
1880 | 2,028 | 5.7% | |
1890 | 2,235 | 10.2% | |
1900 | 2,626 | 17.5% | |
1910 | 3,118 | 18.7% | |
1920 | 2,707 | −13.2% | |
1930 | 3,580 | 32.2% | |
1940 | 3,900 | 8.9% | |
1950 | 4,356 | 11.7% | |
1960 | 8,165 | 87.4% | |
1970 | 18,188 | 122.8% | |
1980 | 20,120 | 10.6% | |
1990 | 20,919 | 4.0% | |
2000 | 23,643 | 13.0% | |
2010 | 24,638 | 4.2% | |
2020 | 25,033 | 1.6% | |
Population 1756–2000[10] |
As of the
There were 8,433 households, out of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.6% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% 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 3.21.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $107,351, and the median income for a family was $127,981 (these figures had risen to $125,909 and $154,346 respectively as of a 2007 estimate
As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 7,212 people, 2,933 households, and 1,994 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,125.2 inhabitants per square mile (434.4/km2). There were 3,078 housing units at an average density of 480.2 per square mile (185.4/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.52% White, 0.54% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 2.44% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races, while 2.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,933 households, out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. Of all households, 28.5% were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the CDP the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $81,179, and the median income for a family was $127,327. Males had a median income of $93,084 versus $47,232 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $46,843. 3.2% of the population and 1.7% of families were below the
Arts and culture
The Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, formerly called the Ridgefield Symphony Youth Orchestra, has performed at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center.[13]
The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra began as the "Ridgefield Symphonette" in 1965 with 20 players, only a third of them professionals. It became fully professional by the end of the decade and today has 75 musicians and draws soloists of international reputation. In 1984, Maxim Shostakovich, then a Ridgefielder, conducted a sold-out concert of music by his father, Dmitri Shostakovich, with the composer's grandson, Dmitri, performing as piano soloist.[14]
The Keeler Tavern Museum preserves an early 18th-century house that, by the time of the Revolution, had become a tavern and inn. The tavern was a center of community activities, an early post office, and a stop on the northern New York to Boston post road. In the early 20th century, it was the home of noted architect Cass Gilbert. The tavern is open several days a week, offers tours, and has a gift shop.[15]
The

The Ridgefield Playhouse, opened in December 2000, is housed in the former Ridgefield Alternate High School auditorium, and was remodeled as a playhouse. It is the year-round venue for dozens of concerts and other performances, many by internationally known artists. The Playhouse also shows movies, many of them first-run.[17]
The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance was founded as the Ridgefield Studio of Classical Ballet in 1965 by Patricia Schuster. In 2002 it became the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The Conservatory is home to three pre-professional performance companies: the Ridgefield Civic Ballet, The Junior Dance Ensemble, and the Contemporary Dance Ensemble. The conservatory presents The Nutcracker annually at the Ridgefield Playhouse.[19]

Thrown Stone Theatre Company is a professional theatre company in town that focuses primarily on new work.[20]
Located at the intersection of West Lane and
Ridgefield's public open space includes Aldrich Park, Bennett's Pond State Park, Brewster Farm, Florida Refuge, Hemlock Hills/Lake Windwing,
Ridgefield Golf Course is the town's municipal 18 hole golf course designed by George Fazio and Tom Fazio and opened in 1974.[23]
The town's largest industry is Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, whose United States headquarters are located in the Ridgebury section of town.
In 2006, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree selected to be displayed in New York's Rockefeller Center for the Christmas season came from Ridgefield.[24]
The town also features a skatepark, owned by the town and maintained by the town's parks and recreation service, in which both skateboarding and aggressive inline skating are done. In 2010 the skatepark was rebuilt and expanded as a result of the need to expand the Ridgefield Playhouse parking lot.[25]
Annual events
- The Nutmeg Festival on Main Street is in August. It has been organized by St. Stephen's Church and held on its grounds since 1906, when it was started there as an "apron and cake sale" by the Ladies Guild to raise money for charity.[26] The event has recently been transformed into Nutmeg and Neighbors, a fundraising event.
- The Antiques Flea Market is held every June outdoors on the grounds of the Veterans Memorial Community Center.
- A local farmers market is held every Thursday during the summer months.
On the National Register of Historic Places
Part of the town center is a
- Benedict House and Shop: 57 Rockwell Road (added 1998)[citation needed]
- Branchville Railroad Tenement: Old Main Highway (added 1982)[citation needed]
- Frederic Remington House: 154 Barry Ave. (added 1966)[citation needed]
- Hugh Cain Fulling Mill and Elias Glover Woolen Mill Archeological Site (added 1985)[citation needed]
- J. Alden Weir Farm Historic District: 735 Nod Hill Road and Pelham Lane (added 1984; see Weir Farm National Historic Site, below)[citation needed]
- Keeler Tavern: 132 Main St. (added 1982)[citation needed]
- Lewis June House: 478 N. Salem Road (added 1984)[citation needed]
- March Route of Rochambeau's Army: Ridgebury Road: Ridgebury Road, from intersection with Old Stagecoach South (added 2003)[citation needed]
- Phineas Chapman Lounsbury House: 316 Main Street, also known as the Ridgefield Veterans Memorial Community Center[27] (added 1975)
- Ridgebury Congregational Church: Ridgebury Road and George Washington Highway (added 1984)[citation needed]
- Thomas Hyatt House: 11 Barlow Mountain Road (added 1984)[citation needed]
- West Mountain Historic District: state road 855 (formerly Route 102) (added 1984)[citation needed]
Government and politics
Ridgefield has a traditional New England Board of Selectmen–Town Meeting form of government, which is created by Town Charter and approved by the voters.[28] The Charter calls for an annual Town and Budget Meeting to be held on the first Monday of May each year. The following are the elective offices of the Town of Ridgefield: Board of Selectmen, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer and Tax Collector. The following are the elective boards and commissions of the Town of Ridgefield: Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Appeals on Zoning, Board of Tax Review, Board of Police Commissioners and Board of Finance. The chief executive is The First Selectman, who also serves a legislative function as a member of the Board of Selectmen. The current First Selectman, Rudy Marconi (D), was first elected in 1999.[29]
Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 31, 2023[30] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Active voters | Inactive voters | Total voters | Percentage | |
Democratic | 6,305 | 901 | 7,206 | 34.54% | |
Republican | 4,722 | 796 | 5,518 | 26.45% | |
Unaffiliated | 6,547 | 1,269 | 7,816 | 37.45% | |
Minor parties | 274 | 53 | 327 | 1.56% | |
Total | 17,848 | 3,019 | 20,867 | 100% |
Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties
|
---|---|---|---|
2020 | 63.31% 10,278 | 35.04% 5,689 | 1.65% 268 |
2016 | 55.31% 7,907 | 39.73% 5,680 | 4.96% 709 |
2012 | 46.30% 6,461 | 52.74% 7,360 | 0.96% 134 |
2008 | 52.17% 7,480 | 47.33% 6,786 | 0.50% 71 |
2004 | 46.42% 6,554 | 52.47% 7,408 | 1.11% 157 |
2000 | 43.50% 5,760 | 52.13% 6,902 | 4.37% 578 |
1996 | 41.62% 4,974 | 50.56% 6,042 | 7.82% 935 |
1992 | 35.58% 4,729 | 46.39% 6,166 | 18.03% 2,396 |
1988 | 33.73% 4,055 | 65.39% 7,860 | 0.88% 106 |
1984 | 27.29% 3,206 | 72.47% 8,512 | 0.24% 28 |
1980 | 24.25% 2,591 | 61.23% 6,542 | 14.53% 1,552 |
1976 | 34.34% 3,451 | 65.01% 6,533 | 0.65% 65 |
1972 | 29.33% 2,621 | 69.03% 6,169 | 1.64% 147 |
1968 | 32.73% 2,267 | 63.38% 4,390 | 3.90% 270 |
1964 | 56.81% 3,085 | 43.19% 2,345 | 0.00% 0 |
1960 | 33.83% 1,407 | 66.17% 2,752 | 0.00% 0 |
1956 | 20.81% 656 | 79.19% 2,496 | 0.00% 0 |
1952 | 25.70% 757 | 73.96% 2,178 | 0.34% 10 |
1948 | 23.77% 525 | 73.46% 1,622 | 2.77% 61 |
1944 | 32.43% 652 | 67.57% 1,358 | 0.00% 0 |
1940 | 31.48% 625 | 68.52% 1,360 | 0.00% 0 |
1936 | 31.61% 556 | 68.39% 1,203 | 0.00% 0 |
1932 | 30.46% 450 | 69.54% 1,027 | 0.00% 0 |
1928 | 26.23% 341 | 73.47% 955 | 0.30% 4 |
1924 | 18.67% 181 | 78.64% 762 | 2.69% 26 |
1920 | 19.60% 174 | 77.81% 691 | 2.59% 23 |
1916 | 39.55% 229 | 59.58% 345 | 0.87% 5 |
1912 | 43.21% 229 | 42.45% 225 | 14.34% 76 |
1908 | 31.16% 163 | 68.46% 358 | 0.38% 2 |
1904 | 33.70% 184 | 66.30% 362 | 0.00% 0 |
1900 | 31.04% 158 | 68.96% 351 | 0.00% 0 |
1896 | 18.95% 105 | 77.08% 427 | 3.97% 22 |
1892 | 41.13% 220 | 58.31% 312 | 0.56% 3 |
1888 | 37.58% 189 | 62.23% 313 | 0.19% 1 |
1884 | 39.56% 199 | 60.44% 304 | 0.00% 0 |
1880 | 40.38% 210 | 59.62% 310 | 0.00% 0 |
1876 | 44.21% 214 | 55.79% 270 | 0.00% 0 |
1872 | 50.59% 214 | 49.41% 209 | 0.00% 0 |
1868 | 46.60% 226 | 53.40% 259 | 0.00% 0 |
1864 | 41.50% 193 | 58.50% 272 | 0.00% 0 |
1860 | 7.05% 33 | 62.18% 291 | 30.77% 144 |
1856 | 39.41% 186 | 60.59% 286 | 0.00% 0 |
1852 | 43.11% 194 | 56.89% 256 | 0.00% 0 |
1848 | 38.24% 169 | 61.09% 270 | 0.67% 3 |
1844 | 41.23% 202 | 58.77% 288 | 0.00% 0 |
1840 | 36.09% 144 | 63.91% 255 | 0.00% 0 |
1836 | 61.65% 119 | 38.35% 74 | 0.00% 0 |
1832 | 9.22% 20 | 88.48% 192 | 2.30% 5 |
1828 | 8.04% 7 | 91.96% 80 | 0.00% 0 |
Education
Ridgefield has nine public schools and two private schools. The public schools are managed by Ridgefield Public Schools. The six public
Ridgefield's Roman Catholic schools are St. Mary, serving preschool through eighth grade, and
Ridgefield Academy is a
There are also various preschools and a Montessori school.
Infrastructure
- Electricity – Eversource Energy
- Water – Aquarion[34] serves central and west parts of town (down Route 33 south to St. Johns Road, north along Route 35 to Farmingville, west to the Eleven Levels area and West Lane). Small water companies serve some other parts of town. The water line was recently extended up North Street to Barlow Mountain and Scotland Elementary Schools, a proposal that took years to pass.
- Telephone/internet – Frontier Communications
- Cable television/telephone/internet – Comcast Cable in Danbury
- Local newspaper – The Ridgefield Press
- Public transportation by train – the Metro-North Railroad's Danbury Branch, which is a part of the New Haven Line, serves Branchville station,[35] a commuter rail stop. Northbound diesel trains will travel to Danbury station, and southbound trains will travel to South Norwalk station. During peak hours on weekdays, some trains will travel as far as Stamford Transportation Center, and express trains to Grand Central Terminal.
- Public transportation by bus – Housatonic Area Regional Transit (HART), the bus system serving Greater Danbury. HART operates a weekday commuter shuttle between Katonah station and the park and ride lots at 207 Main St. and 58 Prospect Ridge.[36]
Neighborhoods

Ridgefield is predominantly made up of 19 encompassing neighborhoods. Ridgefield, Main Street, Branchville, Titicus, Farmingville, Ridgebury, Topstone, West Mountain, Cooper Hill, Ramapoo, Route 7, Georgetown, Deer Run, Peaceable Hill, Quail Ride, Westmoreland, Twixt Hills, Long Ridge, and Starrs/Picketts Ridge.
Notable people
See: List of people from Ridgefield, Connecticut
References
- Images of America: Ridgefield (1999) 127 pages; 1890s to 1950s.
- Ridgefield 1900–1950, by Jack Sanders (2003) 126 pages
- Farmers against the Crown, by Keith Jones. An account of the Battle of Ridgefield during the Revolutionary War. 162 pages, paperback (2002)
- The Farms of Farmingville, by Keith Marshall Jones, 509 pages (2001)
- Five Village Walks, by Jack Sanders, 56 pages
- Ridgefield in Review, by Silvio A. Bedini (1958) Out of print, but used copies often available locally
- History of Ridgefield, by George L. Rockwell, 583 pages, long out of print
- The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Records, Volume 36, an index to Ridgefield births, marriages and deaths from 1709 to 1850. Genealogical Publishing Company (2000)
- The History of Ridgefield, Connecticut, by the Rev. Daniel Teller (1878), 251 pages. Teller was pastor of the First Congregational Church.
- The Proprietors of Ridgefield, by Glenna M. Welsh (1976)
- St. Stephen's Church: Its History for 250 years: 1725 to 1975, by Robert S. Haight, 220 pages,
- Saint Stephen's Church Reaches the Millennium, by Dirk Bollenback, 114 pages, covers 1975 to 2000.
- Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia, by Mark Salzman (1996), 288 pages, Ridgefield native reflects on the idiosyncrasies and absurdities of suburban Connecticut life.
Footnotes
- ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Ridgefield town, Fairfield County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ a b c Jones, Keith M. "The Battle of Ridgefield". Town of Ridgefield, Connecticut. Archived from the original on July 25, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
- ^ a b Barber, John Warner (1838). Connecticut Historical Collections, Containing a General Collection of Interesting Facts, Traditions, Biographical Sketches, Anecdotes, Etc., Relating to the History and Antiquities of Every Town in Connecticut with Geographical Descriptions. Durrie & Peck. pp. 399–400.
- ^ The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 334.
- ^ "Benedict Arnold, Ridgefield Hero". jackfsanders.tripod.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- ^ "Sunset Hall". jackfsanders.tripod.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ "Owh联盟外投".
- ^ "NYC Regional Geology". Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
- ^ "Monthly Averages for Ridgefield, CT". Weather.com. Retrieved December 25, 2011
- ^ "Connecticut State Register & Manual". Archived from the original on September 13, 2005. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "WCYO – Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra". Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra - RSO History". Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ "Keeler Tavern Museum — Ridgefield, Connecticut". Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "About". The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "The Ridgefield Playhouse | Ridgefield, Connecticut". The Ridgefield Playhouse. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Working with Connecticut" (PDF). National Park Service. United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
- ^ "The Nutcracker | Ridgefield Playhouse". Archived from the original on February 20, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ "Thrown Stone". Retrieved January 19, 2018.
- ^ "购彩大厅安全检测". Archived from the original on June 25, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ "iuhd". Archived from the original on July 27, 2011.
- ^ "Golf Course Info". Ridgefield Golf Course. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Comes to Town: Gothamist". Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ "Graham Dickinson SPIRIT Skate Park | Ridgefield Parks & Recreation". www.ridgefieldparksandrec.org. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Nutmeg festival at 100: Ridgefield's oldest fair is today", article by Kathleen Flaherty in The Ridgefield Press, August 12, 2006
- ^ "Home". Lounsbury House. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 8, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Office of the First Selectman | Ridgefield CT". www.ridgefieldct.org. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 31, 2023" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ "Office of the Secretary of State".
- ^ "Ridgefield Public Schools - home". Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ "-> About". Archived from the original on June 24, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ "Aquarion Water Company". www.aquarion.com. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ http://as0.mta.info/mnr/stations/station_detail.cfm?key=274 , MTA.info.
- ^ https://www.hartransit.com/alert-route/ridgefield-katonah HARTransit Ridgefield - Katonah