Brookfield Connecticut is located in Northern Fairfield County, with a population of 16, 680. Once a busy manufacturing town in the 18th and 19th century, Brookfield now offers beautiful new as well as historically significant antique homes and brand new condominiums. In the last decade it has also become a major shopping destination with big box stores, shopping malls and specialty shops.
Located just north of Danbury a major industrialized city of 80,000 it serves as a bedroom community. The population density is 791.1 per square miles, the median family income is $ 91, 296 and the median home and condominium price is $ 420, 373.
Before the British settled the town, it was inhabited by the Potatuck Indians, members of the Algonquin Federation. Initially an agricultural community Brookfield was incorporated in 1778, and by 1732 it had already become a major industrial center. The mills were already operating along the Still River turning out iron, cotton goods, knives, harness leather goods and coaches. The major grist mill still stands today as the Brookfield Craft Center. To take the goods to market, the railroad opened two stations in Brookfield which remained open until just after the First World War when Brookfield lost market share as Danbury and Bridgeport grew rapidly. Population fell and it was not until 1940 that there were more people in Brookfield than there were in 1790.
The real boom came after the Second World War as both large and small industries moved into Danbury and north to Brookfield. Located along the major north/south road in Western Connecticut, Route 7, Brookfield has become a center of small industry and consumer outlets and combines the rural feel of a small town with the growth of a commercial center. Route 84, a national freeway is close by and will take you to New York State and Waterbury and Hartford, Connecticut.
There are eight churches in town, numerous parks and open spaces offering hiking trails, picnic tables, tennis courts and lakes. The most famous lake in Connecticut is Candlewood Lake which Brookfield shares with Danbury. As the largest lake in Connecticut there are numerous beaches to enjoy as well as fishing, kayaking and other boating activities.
There are four schools in town; two elementary schools, one middle school and the high school which had 721 students in 2008. The High School rates 9 out of 10 by the State of Connecticut and always has a strong football program.
The town has a “feel” of a town that is on the way up. There is a strong sense of history with its Historic District and the local Historical Society but there is activity everywhere, people on the move and new companies opening up their businesses.
Danbury Hospital one of the premier medical facilities in the state is six miles away and Western Connecticut State University is close by.
Brookfield stands on the cross roads between industry and the countryside. Drive up Route 7, and just past New Milford you are in the country which looks very much like it looked decades ago. Drive down Route 7 and you are at The Danbury Mall with its department stores and specialty shops. Brookfield offers the best of several worlds.
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