Moving to Chester, Connecticut

by btobers · Published June 10, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Chester, Connecticut is situated in Middlesex County and is a small community of about 4,000 people. It is nestled in the rolling hills of the Connecticut River Valley and boasts a wide variety of natural beauty. The town’s climate is moderate and humid with four distinct seasons. Summers tend to be hot and humid while winters are cold but mild.

Chester has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1692 by settlers from Boston, Massachusetts. The town was originally called Westfield, but changed its name to Chester in 1713 after being named after the city of Chester in England. The town played an important role during the Revolutionary War and was home to the first manufacturing plant in Connecticut that produced guns for the Continental Army.

The town is governed by a Board of Selectmen who are elected every two years and serve as both legislative and executive branches of government. The town also has an active volunteer fire department which provides fire protection services for residents.

The economy of Chester is driven mainly by tourism, as it attracts visitors from all over New England due to its abundance of scenic views, quaint shops, restaurants, and historical landmarks. In addition to this, there are several businesses located within the town such as restaurants, antique stores, art galleries, wineries, breweries, retail stores and more which bring additional economic activity into the area.

The school system in Chester consists primarily of one elementary school which serves grades K-8 and one high school which serves grades 9-12. Both schools are highly rated with excellent educational programs that provide students with an enriching learning experience.

Chester has many historical landmarks that make it unique such as Fort Hill Park which overlooks North Cove Harbor where Revolutionary War ships used to anchor; Old Town Hall built in 1786; Chester Meeting House built in 1763; General William Hart House built in 1780; Old Town Cemetery established in 1692; and many more sites that tell stories about our nation’s past. These landmarks provide visitors with a glimpse into our nation’s history while also providing beautiful views of the surrounding landscape that can be enjoyed year-round.

Population: 3,743. Estimated population in July 2024: 3,832 (+2.4% change)
Males: 1,789 (47.8%), Females: 1,954 (52.2%)

Middlesex County

Demographics

Median resident age: 41.7 years
Median household income: $65,156
Median house value: $183,300

Population by Race

Races in Chester:

White Non-Hispanic (95.6%)
Hispanic (1.7%)
Two or more races (0.9%)
Black (0.9%)
American Indian (0.7%)

Ancestries: Italian (20.6%), English (17.5%), Irish (16.7%), German (15.4%), Polish (9.8%), Swedish (6.5%).

Elevation: 86 feet

Map of Chester, CT

Population by Education

As of the 2010 census, Chester, Connecticut is home to a population of 3,743 people. The majority of the population is white (94.9%), with African Americans making up 1.5%, Asians 0.6%, and Native Americans 0.1%. The median age in Chester is 43 years old, with 22% of the population below 18 and 13% over 65 years old. The median household income in Chester is $91,941, which is significantly higher than the national average of $53,482. This affords residents a high quality of life and access to many amenities that would otherwise be out of reach for a small town like Chester.

The town also has an excellent education system with two public schools: John Winthrop Middle School and Valley Regional High School. Both schools have received numerous awards for their academic excellence and are highly rated among parents in the area. Additionally, there are several private schools located nearby in neighboring towns that offer a variety of educational opportunities for students from preschool through college-level courses.

Chester also boasts an active community with plenty of things to do throughout the year including festivals, shopping trips, outdoor activities such as hiking and biking trails, summer concerts on the green, farmers markets and more! There are also plenty of recreational opportunities such as golf courses and public parks where residents can enjoy some fresh air while getting exercise or simply relaxing with friends or family members. All this makes Chester an attractive place to live for those seeking a peaceful small-town lifestyle that offers both convenience and comfort at an affordable price point

For population 25 years and over in Chester

High school or higher: 88.0%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 35.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 16.4%
Unemployed: 3.3%
Mean travel time to work: 23.5 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Chester town

Never married: 22.3%
Now married: 58.3%
Separated: 0.5%
Widowed: 9.2%
Divorced: 9.7%

4.4% Foreign born (2.4% Europe, 0.7% Latin America, 0.6% North America).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Chester:

SAINT FRANCIS CARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (about 17 miles; PORTLAND, CT)
CONNECTICUT VALLEY HOSP (about 18 miles; MIDDLETOWN, CT)
MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL (about 18 miles; MIDDLETOWN, CT)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Chester:

HARTFORD-BRAINARD (about 27 miles; HARTFORD, CT; Abbreviation: HFD)
GROTON-NEW LONDON (about 30 miles; GROTON NEW LONDON, CT; Abbreviation: GON)
TWEED-NEW HAVEN (about 32 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT; Abbreviation: HVN)

Other public-use airports nearest to Chester:

GOODSPEED (about 3 miles; EAST HADDAM, CT; Abbreviation: 42B)
CHESTER (about 4 miles; CHESTER, CT; Abbreviation: 3B9)
GRISWOLD (about 11 miles; MADISON, CT; Abbreviation: N04)

Amtrak station near Chester:

9 miles: OLD SAYBROOK (455 BOSTON POST RD.). Services: ticket office, partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for car rental service, call for taxi service, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Chester:

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY (about 18 miles; MIDDLETOWN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 2,993)
EASTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY (about 28 miles; WILLIMANTIC, CT; Full-time enrollment: 4,165)
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY (about 29 miles; NEW BRITAIN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 8,967)
TRINITY COLLEGE (about 30 miles; HARTFORD, CT; Full-time enrollment: 2,056)
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT (about 32 miles; STORRS, CT; Full-time enrollment: 16,952)
QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY (about 32 miles; HAMDEN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 5,836)
MANCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 33 miles; MANCHESTER, CT; Full-time enrollment: 2,863)

Public primary/middle school in Chester:

CHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 336; Location: 23 RIDGE RD.; Grades: PK – 06)

Libraries

Library in Chester:

CHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $75,307; Location: 21 WEST MAIN ST.; 14,315 books; 336 audio materials; 701 video materials; 57 serial subscriptions)