Bridgeport, Connecticut is located in Fairfield County, Connecticut and has the largest population in the state. The 2000 census reported that Bridgeport has a population of 139,529 people. The city is often called The Park City and is considered part of the greater New York Metropolitan area.
Despite its large population and booming metropolis in modern times, Bridgeport had a very humble beginning as fishing and farming were the way of life. Ship building, whaling, and the opening of the railroad in 1840 changed the area. Bridgeport soon became known for brass fittings, carriages, sewing machines, and ammunition. By 1930 Bridgeport offered jobs to many as it had more than 500 factories and attracted a large immigrant population.
The deindustrialization of the United States hurt the area in the 1970s and the 1980s, but the area has rebounded quite nicely despite originally being founded on industry. With the city as big as ever, real estate is always in high demand. Several areas are growing rapidly as once industrial areas are turned into housing developments. A nice feature of the real estate in Bridgeport is that there are historic homes and very modern homes such as condominiums, which offers something for everyone.
Life in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Life in Bridgeport is quite pleasant and is perfect for families, singles, and even seniors. According to the 2000 census, there were 50,307 households and of these households there were 34.3% that had children under the age of 18, 35% of the households were married couples, 34.9% were non-families, and 11.3% had seniors living alone. The average household size is 2.70 and the average family size was 3.34. As you can see, Bridgeport welcomes everyone. The median household income in the city of Bridgeport was $34,658 in 2000, while the median income for a family was slightly more at $39,571. Bridgeport, Connecticut is a great place to live for people of all ages and from all walks of life.
Education
Bridgeport, Connecticut has 30 elementary schools, three high schools, and two alternative programs. The school system educates about 23,000 students, making it the largest school system in Connecticut. Not only are there a lot of students, there are also 1,700 teachers and staff employed by the school system making it a large part of the community.
In and Around Bridgeport
Bridgeport offers plenty of great shopping, dining, and activities that are great for the whole family. Many people come from around the area to shop in Bridgeport, as well as visit the numerous parks, museums, and cultural events in the area. Bridgeport is a wonderful place to live or visit because there is always something fun to do!
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