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Newington was part of the Town of Wethersfield until 1871. Early names for the area were “Pipestave Swamp,” then “Cow Plain,” and later, “West Farms.” These reflected its use first as a source of staves for making “pipes” (large sized barrels) used in colonial trade, then a pasture for cattle, and eventually, the new farms taken up by descendants of early Wethersfield settlers who had been given grants on the western frontier of their riverside town. By 1721 there were enough new farmers on these grants to request that the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut give them the name “Newington.” This name means new town in the meadow. Because most inhabitants were related to Wethersfield families, Newington accepted government by Wethersfield Town Meeting until 1871. But the railroad had come through Newington in the 1830’s and frequent, inexpensive transportation attracted growth. Some years later, Wethersfield Town Meeting refused to approve expenses for highway improvements for better access to the railroad. Newington was ready to take government into its own hands. It applied to the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut for incorporation, which was approved in 1871.
As of the census of 2000, there are 29,306 people, 12,014 households, and 8,253 families residing in the town. The population density is 2,223.4/sq mi. There are 12,264 housing units at an average density of 930.4/sq mi. The racial makeup of the town is 92.48% White, 2.08% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 2.81% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. 3.68% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 12,014 households out of which 27.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% are married couples living together, 10.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% are non-families. 26.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 2.92. In the town the population is spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.0 males. The median income for a household in the town is $57,118, and the median income for a family is $67,085. Males have a median income of $43,475 versus $35,601 for females. The per capita income for the town is $26,881. 3.5% of the population and 2.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.7% of those under the age of 18 and 3.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Demographic information on this page was taken from the Newington, Connecticut entry on Wikipedia, accessed on 26 Mar, 2011. History was taken from http://www.newingtonct.gov/content/76/3405.aspx accessed on 26 Mar, 2011.