Bristol, Connecticut

Official name	Bristol, Connecticut
Settlement type	City
Nickname	Mum City, Bell City
Image seal	Bristol-CT-Seal.png
Map caption	Location in Hartford County, Connecticut
Established title	Incorporated (town)
Established date	1785
Established title2	Incorporated (city)
Established date2	1911
Government type	Mayor-council
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Connecticut
Subdivision type2	NECTA
Subdivision name2	Hartford
Subdivision type3	Region
Subdivision name3	Central Connecticut
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Arthur J. Ward
Area magnitude	1 E8
Area total km2	69.4
Area land km2	68.7
Area water km2	0.9
Area total sq mi	26.8
Unit pref	Imperial
Area land sq mi	26.5
Area water sq mi	0.3
Population as of	2005
Population total	61,353
Population density km2	894
Timezone	EST
Utc offset	-5
Timezone dst	EDT
Utc offset dst	-4
Elevation ft	305
Coordinates display	inline,title
Coordinates type	region:US_type:city
Elevation m	93
Postal code type	ZIP code
Postal code	06010 - 06011
Website	http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us
Area code	860
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	09-08420
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0205727

Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. In 2010, Bristol was ranked 84th on Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live".

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.8 square miles (69.5 km²). The city contains several distinct sections: Forestville is approximately the southeastern quarter of Bristol and was Native American hunting grounds until the 19th century. Edgewood is approximately the northeastern quarter of Bristol. The majority of Bristol is now residential, though in recent years there has been a push for commercial development in the city. The Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency is the metropolitan planning organization for Bristol, New Britain, and surrounding towns.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 60,062 people, 24,886 households, and 16,175 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,265.8 inhabitants per square mile (874.8/km²). There are 26,125 housing units at an average density of 985.6 per square mile (380.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 86.33% White, 2.68% African American, 5.27% Hispanic, 0.22% Native American, 1.47% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.40% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races.

There are 24,886 households in Bristol of which 29.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% are married couples living together, 11.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% are non-families. 28.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.7% have a sole resident who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 2.94.

Bristol possesses substantial age diversity with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $47,422, and the median income for a family is $58,259. Males have a median income of $40,483 versus $30,584 for females. The per capita income for the city is $23,362. 6.6% of the population and 4.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

{| class=wikitable ! colspan = 6 | Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005 |- ! colspan = 2 | Party ! Active Voters ! Inactive Voters ! Total Voters ! Percentage | Democratic | align = center | 12,480 | align = center | 381 | align = center | 12,861 | align = center | 38.64% | Republican | align = center | 5,531 | align = center | 206 | align = center | 5,737 | align = center | 17.24% | Unaffiliated | align = center | 13,954 | align = center | 729 | align = center | 14,683 | align = center | 44.11% | Minor Parties | align = center | 4 | align = center | 0 | align = center | 4 | align = center | 0.01% |- ! colspan = 2 | Total ! align = center | 31,969 ! align = center | 1,316 ! align = center | 33,285 ! align = center | 100% |}

Education

Education in Bristol, CT is conducted using ten elementary schools (grades kindergarten through five), three middle schools (grades six, seven and eight ), and two high schools. In addition to these public schools, there are also a number of private Catholic schools available. These add an additional four kindergarten through grade 8 schools and one additional high school.

A recent press release shows good scores on the Connecticut Academic Performance Test, a standardized Connecticut test which students take in tenth grade. The report states that more than 87% of Bristol students scored at or above the proficient level in each of the content areas assessed.

{| border = "1" align="center" |+ Schools in Bristol ! Elementary Schools !! Middle Schools !! K-Through-8 Schools !! High Schools |- |Bingham School || Chippens Hill Middle School || St. Anthony's School || Bristol Central High School |- |Edgewood School || Memorial Boulevard Middle School || St. Matthew's School || Bristol Eastern High School |- |Greene-Hills School || Northeast Middle School || St. Joseph's School || St. Paul Catholic High School |- |Hubbell School || || Immanuel Lutheran School || |- |Ivy Drive School || || || |- |Jennings School || || || |- |Mountain View School || || || |- |O'Connell School || || || |- |South Side School || || || |- |Stafford School || || || |}

Recently, it has been proposed that the educational system of the city be redesigned. Because some of the schools are in historic buildings, new schools are being sought by the city. In addition, it has been proposed that the entire education system of the city be redesigned, eliminating the middle school category. In other words, all schools would be kindergarten through eighth grade or high school. The Bristol Board of Education's appeals for support for this project have been met with mixed emotions.

Public safety

EMS

Bristol's emergency medical services program has been provided by Bristol Hospital since 1977. It was designed to assume the responsibility previously carried by the Bristol Police Department. The Bristol Hospital's EMS are carried out using 6 emergency ambulances, 2 paramedic intercept vehicles and 4 wheelchair vans.

Fire department

The Bristol, Connecticut Fire Department is a full service fire department with 5 engine companies (or stations) and one tower company. The Bristol Board of Fire Commissioners consists of five members appointed by the Mayor who establish the primary policies of the fire department.

Police department

The Bristol, Connecticut Police Department is a full service police department with approximately 125 sworn officers. In addition to a vehicular patrol division, downtown Bristol is also policed by a bicycle division and walking beat officers. During any shift, there may be as many as 20 officers on duty, not including detectives and officers from other divisions.

Revitalization

Downtown

In recent years, Bristol has begun a renovation of the downtown area. This has included a complete overhaul of a park in the center of the city. In addition, an outdated and underused mall from the 1970s was recently demolished. Also, North Main Street, one of the busiest sections of downtown, was recently improved by adding islands in the road, elegant street lighting and a brick median when the road was repaved.

Blight Committee

In the 1990s, the Blight Committee was formed to enforce appearance laws, and even demolish properties which it deems are unsightly and unkempt. This committee is tasked with ensuring that properties are not abandoned and that all properties are reasonably maintained.

In 2008, the Bristol Blight Committee was disbanded in order to make way for a new committee; the Bristol Code Enforcement Committee. This new committee has even greater powers and can now deal with both appearances and structural integrity issues of buildings in Bristol. The purpose of the committee is to streamline the process of enforcing the issues the former Blight Committee was tasked with. The law requires all structures to be free of "abandoned vehicles, nuisances, refuse, pollution and filth ... broken glass, loose shingles, holes, cracked or damaged siding, crumbling brick and other conditions 'reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance.'"

The Blight Committee and Code Enforcement Committee continue to be hotly debated topics within Bristol.

Attractions

In addition to the "Mum Festival", Bristol holds an annual street festival with a car show and a family farms weekend at Minors Farm, Shepherd Meadows and Roberts Orchard, similar to that of Southington's apple festival, all of which are held around September.

Media

The name of the local daily newspaper is the Bristol Press, and town news is also featured in a small weekly called the Bristol Observer. It is also home to The Tattoo teen newspaper, one of the first on-line newspapers.

Sister cities

Kozani, Greece Burco, Somalia

Economy

Notable companies

The companies below are some of the most notable in Bristol, CT. These, in addition to Bristol Hospital, are the largest private employers in the area.

Associated Spring

Founded in 1857, and headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut, U.S.A., Barnes Group is a diversified international manufacturer of precision metal components and assemblies and a distributor of industrial supplies, serving a wide range of markets and customers. Barnes Group consists of three businesses with 2005 sales of $1.1 billion.

ESPN

ESPN houses its broadcast studios in Bristol, CT on Middle Street. ESPN is the largest taxpayer to the City of Bristol.

ESPN's former parent, Capital Cities Communications, once owned the local ABC affiliate WTNH, but sold it after acquiring ABC (which owned ESPN), and later merged with the Walt Disney Company.

Otis Elevator company

Though its beginnings were in Yonkers, New York, Otis Elevator possesses the largest elevator test tower in the United States in Bristol. Located near ESPN and Lake Compounce, the -high tower is easily visible from the surrounding roads.

CIGNA Insurance

CIGNA Insurance has a long history, part of which has roots in Bristol. As early as 1865, CIGNA can trace the roots of its corporation to the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. As the company grew, an office was eventually opened in Bristol. Presently, CIGNA, among other insurance companies, provides many jobs for residents of the area.

Top employers

According to Bristol's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city were:

Notable people, past and present

Amos Bronson Alcott, the father of Louisa May Alcott, taught school in Bristol on two different occasions: in 1823 and, after teaching in Cheshire for a time, again in Bristol from 1827-1828. Alcott later moved to Concord, Massachusetts where he became acquainted with many prominent Transcendentalists and literary figures.

Gary Burghoff, a native of Bristol (born 1943) is the actor who played the character Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reilly in both the film and television series M*A*S*H.

Bob Crane (1928–1978), the actor who played the title role in the television series Hogan's Heroes, worked for WBIS radio station in Bristol early in his career.

Frank Filipetti, music producer, was born in Bristol.

Gordon J. Humphrey (1940-), United States Senator from New Hampshire (1979–1991) was born in Bristol.

Karen Josephson (1964-) and Sarah Josephson (1964-), twin sisters who won the silver medal in synchronized swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea and the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, were born in Bristol.

Mike Reiss (1959-), longtime writer for "The Simpsons," is a Bristol native.

Jim Rice and Fred Lynn debuted in their professional baseball careers playing for the Bristol Red Sox at Muzzy Field, a depression-era-built ballpark in Bristol.

Aaron Hernandez, tight end for The New England Patriots is a Bristol native and attended Bristol Central High School.

Cliff Johnson (game designer), author of The Fool's Errand, was born in Bristol.

Gallery

References

External links

City of Bristol

The Bristol Press

The American Clock and Watch Museum

The New England Carousel Museum

Mum Festival website

Category:Populated places in Hartford County, Connecticut Category:Cities in Connecticut * Category:ESPN