Fairfield is an affluent town located in Connecticut. Situated near the city of Bridgeport and Trumbull, it's located along the "Gold Coast" of Connecticut. This charming but affluent town boasts a population of only about 59,000. However, the standard of living here is high and Money magazine even ranked Fairfield as the 44th best place to live in 2014 as well as the best place to live in Connecticut. 

 

Origins

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Fairfield was established by Puritans and was one of the two principal settlements of the Connecticut colony in the 1600s. Over time, this area gave rise to new towns that broke off and incorporated separately. Located close to Long Island Sound, Fairfield was a prosperous area and became popular for the British Torys during the revolutionary war. During the war, the British actually burned the town to the ground. However, it was rebuilt and actually remains a historical landmark. Today, visitors to the area can enjoy great examples of colonial architecture that are still standing. 

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Demographics and Features

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The town is a quiet area but incredibly safe. The town is notable for its low crime rate. It is also an affluent area with a very small percentage of the town living below the poverty line. Additionally, while the town is fairly small on its own, it's notable for having two universities. Fairfield University enrolls around 5,000 students each year. Sacred Heart University is the second largest Roman Catholic university in New England. 

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The area is primarily Catholic and has two Catholic high schools. They also have public schools and the community is actively engaged in education programs here. While many of the students choose to attend the local universities, students at both the public and private schools do well here. 

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Finally, Fairfield is located only 50 miles from New York City. The town has three train stations that extend into the city itself, with some residents making the commute for work each day.

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Points of Interest

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When it comes to activities, the town of Fairfield is relatively small but also very active. Historians particularly enjoy the area. In fact, the Fairfield Historic District is a great region of the town where visitors and residents can learn more about the events that occurred here. This includes the town hall, public library, and houses that date back from the 18th century. There are also notable houses that can be seen by historic figures such as John Osbourne and Jonathan Sturges. 

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The community is also invested in the arts and supports a wide range of visual arts. Fairfield University has a center for the arts on its campus that has a full schedule. In addition to featuring music, dance, and theatre throughout the year, they also host a lecture series. This center has been recognized as the cultural epicenter of Fairfield County and with good reason. While many of the arts take place on the school campuses, the Gazebo on Sherman Town Green is home to concerts during the summer months and always draws a crowd. 

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Fairfield has plenty of outdoor attractions and sporting events as well. Fairfield University hosts collegiate athletic events which are open to the public and are widely enjoyed. In the general community, the town has five miles of coastline with five town beaches. There are also miles of private beaches as well. Lake Mohegan which has waterfalls is a popular destination hiking in addition to the bird sanctuary. Of course, boating is a popular activity here. The Ye Yacht Yard provides access to a range of boating activities, especially sailing. Residents can own their own boats or rent ones to take out. 

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This overview provides a closer look at the town of Fairfield. This charming and thriving town has a great deal to offer which is why people love to call it home. Located close to large cities, Fairfield has managed to maintain its own quiet nature. However, the residents are highly involved in the community and support academic and arts programs in their region. It's no wonder that this town was ranked one of the top places to live. Keeping up with its reputation as a small New England town, visitors are charmed when they travel to the area. These are just a few of the features that Fairfield has to offer.