ABOUT VERNON
Vernon, originally part of Bolton, Connecticut, was incorporated as a separate township in October 1808. Vernon contains the borough of Rockville, incorporated in January, 1889. In 1965, the Town of Vernon consolidated with the City of Rockville and the Vernon Fire District and assumed all assets and liabilities of the two governmental units. It also contains the smaller villages of Talcottville and Dobsonville. Since 1970, the Town has operated under a mayor-town council form of government subject to approval by the Town's Electorate at Town Meetings on certain appropriations and the Annual Budget. Vernon is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 28,063 at the time of the 2000 census.
Click here to view Vernon's Town Charter and Code of Ordinances
The town is the birthplace of former professional football player and four time Super Bowl champion Bill Romanowski. Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner was raised there. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer Gene Pitney also grew up in the town, from which he obtained his stage name: "The Rockville Rocket." Charles Ethan Porter (c. 1847-1923), an African American still life painter, moved to the Rockville neighborhood as a child.
Vernon is home to Rockville High School and the New England Civil War Museum.
Government
The Mayor of Vernon is chief executive officer of the Town vested with management of the Town's Government, its annual budget for all departments and agencies including the Board of Education, its finances, its employees and carrying out rules, regulations and compliance with the law. The Mayor is elected on a partisan basis for a two year term. The Mayor's compensation or salary is set by the Town Council and affirmed by the voters at the Annual Town Meeting as part of the Town's budget.
The Town Council is the Town's the exclusive legislative body of the Town. The Council consists of twelve members elected on a partisan basis for two year terms. Those powers and duties of the board of finance with respect to the board of education budget and financial program shall be exercised by the Town Council. The Town Council members are not compensated for their service.
The Town must hold an Annual Town Meeting on its budget. The Annual Town Meeting is held for the consideration of the budget, it shall be held on the fourth Tuesday of April at such hour and at such place as the Town Council may determine. The annual town meeting shall be called to order by the Mayor. A moderator shall be elected and all business conducted in the manner now or hereafter provided by chapter 90 of the Connecticut General Statutes, Revision of 1958, as amended. The Town Clerk shall serve as clerk of the annual town meeting. The annual budget shall become effective only after it has been approved by a majority vote of those qualified voters present and voting at such meeting. Such vote may neither increase nor decrease the amount approved by the town council. Three (3) official copies of the annual budget as finally approved shall be filed with the Town Clerk.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.1 square miles (46.8 km²), of which, 17.7 square miles (45.9 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.9 km²) of it (1.88%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 28,063 people, 12,269 households, and 7,275 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,582.8 people per square mile (611.1/km²). There were 12,867 housing units at an average density of 725.7/sq mi (280.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.95% White, 3.99% African American, 0.24% Native American, 2.65% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.22% from other races, and 1.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.58% of the population.
There were 12,269 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.7% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $47,816, and the median income for a family was $59,599. Males had a median income of $43,620 versus $31,515 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,150. About 4.1% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Elementary Schools
- Lake Street School
- Maple Street School
- Northeast School
- Center Road School
- Skinner Road School
Middle and Secondary Schools
Distinguished Alumni
- Gene Pitney - 2002 Inductee to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame
- Charles Ethan Porter - African American still life painter
- Bill Romanowski - former professional American football player
- Mark Warner - former governor of Virginia
School Information and Statistics
Demographics
- RHS has the following demographic breakdown:
- Caucasian - 75.6%
- African-American - 10.6%
- Hispanic - 8.0%
- Asian - 5.2%
- American Indian - .6%
Academic
- RHS offers 11 Advanced Placement courses
- SAT Performance (average over 5 years)
- Participation - 77.6%
- Average Verbal - 526.4
- Average Math - 517
- Average Writing - 511
- Post-Graduation Plans (average over 5 years)
- 4-year College - 54.2%
- 2-year College - 24.8%
- Vocational - 1%
- Military - 2.4%
- Employment - 12.2%
Other - 3.4%
