Prospect, Connecticut

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.5 square miles (38 km²), of which 14.3 square miles (37 km²) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km²), or 1.58%, is water. Neighboring towns are Waterbury to the north, Cheshire to the east, Bethany to the south, and Naugatuck to the west.

As of the 2010 Census,[5] there were 9,405 people, 3,357 households, and 2,616 families living in the town. The population density was 608.1 people per square mile (234.8/km²). There were 3,094 housing units at an average density of 216.1 per square mile (83.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.3% White, 1.9% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.3% of the population.

Of the 3,357 households 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.3% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 28.4% of households were one person and 8.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.15.

The age distribution was 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 32.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% 65 or older. The median age was 43.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median household income was $93,631 and the median family income was $104,306. The per capita income for the town was $26,827. About 2.1% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.

as of 2013[6]

Robert Chatfield, the longest serving chief elected official in the state, is in his 10th term.

In 1967, Prospect switched from first selectman to chief administrative officer, and in 1975, began running under the mayoral form of government. Chatfield, a Republican, was elected to that office on November 7, 1977, and became the second mayor of the town, following George Sabo. Since that time, he has been the only mayor many Prospect residents have known.

His most memorable moment in office came when he coined the phrase "The Best Small Town in Connecticut", which has become a favorite among residents. In the late 1990s, Connecticut magazine named the town one of the worst small towns in the state based on statistics compiled by various agencies. The statement so riled Chatfield, he and several other area chief officials wrote to the magazine supporting Prospect. The day the magazine came out, Chatfield said, he went to a sign company and ordered tags and bumper stickers claiming Prospect as the "Best Small Town in Connecticut". The tags were placed on all town vehicles, and have remained there since.

The town of Prospect is combined with Beacon Falls to create Region 16.

• Prospect Elementary School (grades K-5)
• Long River Middle School (grades 6-8)
• Woodland Regional High School (grades 9-12)

• Vincent Ingala – smooth jazz and R&B saxophonist
• John Fusco, screenwriter and producer
• Christopher Evans, french american illustrator and graphic artist. Paris, France.
• Robert Chatfield, Politician

• John R. Guevin - View from the Top - the story of Prospect, Connecticut, 1995, Biographical Publishing Company, ISBN 0-9637240-3-7

• Town of Prospect official website