Bridgeport (41n10, 73w12 EST) is the largest city by population in Connecticut, and is located in southeastern Fairfield County, Connecticut. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 139,529. The city is considered to be part of the greater New York metropolitan area. Its nickname within Connecticut is The Park City.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 50.2 km2 (19.4 mi2). 41.4 km2 (16.0 mi2) of it is land and 8.8 km2 (3.4 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 17.53% water.
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 139,529 people, 50,307 households, and 32,749 families residing in the city. The population density is 3,367.0/km2 (8,720.9/mi2). There are 54,367 housing units at an average density of 1,312.0/km2 (3,398.1/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 45.02% White, 30.76% African American, 0.48% Native American, 3.25% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 14.81% from other races, and 5.57% from two or more races. 31.88% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 50,307 households out of which 34.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.0% are married couples living together, 24.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% are non-families. 29.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.70 and the average family size is 3.34.
In the city the population is spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $34,658, and the median income for a family is $39,571. Males have a median income of $32,430 versus $26,966 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,306. 18.4% of the population and 16.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.8% of those under the age of 18 and 13.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Bridgeport's early years were marked by a reliance on fishing and farming, much like other towns in New England. The city's location on the deep Black Rock Harbor fostered a boom in shipbuilding and whaling in the mid-19th century, especially after the opening of a railroad to the city in 1840. The city rapidly industrialized in the late-19th century, becoming a manufacturing center producing such goods as brass fittings, carriages, sewing machines, the famous Bridgeport milling machine, saddles, and ammunition. By 1930, Bridgeport was a thriving industrial center with more than 500 factories and a booming immigrant population.
Like other urban centers in Connecticut, Bridgeport fared less well during the deindustrialization of the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. Unemployment rose, crime soared, and the city became known for a large drug problem and for having an exploding AIDS rate. Many former-industrial sites within the city were discovered to be heavily-polluted, leaving the city with extensive environmental costs and damage. Other sites were simply abandoned and left to burn down, leaving some areas of the city resembling ghost towns.
In the early 21st century, Bridgeport is rebounding after a loss of jobs and population, and is transitioning into a role as a center of service industries and as an outlying region of the New York metropolitan area. It remains the largest city in the state of Connecticut, although it is often ignored or overlooked by residents of the state.
Source:
BridgeportConnecticut.com
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