Is Hazardville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Hazardville

Hazardville, Connecticut, offers a blend of historical charm and suburban convenience, making it an appealing place for many. This census-designated place, part of the town of Enfield, is known for its industrial roots, particularly its history in gunpowder manufacturing. Today, it presents a community with a median age of 43.2 years, indicating a balanced demographic with both younger and older residents (as reported by World Population Review). The area provides a glimpse into New England’s past while adapting to modern living.

The community’s character is shaped by its residential makeup and its proximity to natural landscapes, including portions of the Scantic River State Park. Hazardville’s housing stock features a mix of single-family homes and apartment complexes, with many residences being older, established properties built between the mid-20th century and the late 1990s (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This blend of history and residential development contributes to its unique appeal.

Is it Safe to Live in Hazardville?

Hazardville generally presents a safe environment for its residents, with crime rates reported to be lower than both national and state averages. Overall crime rates are approximately 35% lower than the national average, and violent crimes are significantly lower, at about 65% below the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This suggests a relatively secure community where residents have a lower chance of becoming victims of crime.

Year over year, crime in Hazardville has seen a decrease of 12% (as reported by AreaVibes). The area is considered safer than 56% of cities in the United States, indicating a positive trend in public safety. Property crime rates are also lower than the national average, contributing to the overall sense of security in Hazardville (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing Costs and Real Estate Market

The real estate market in Hazardville offers a range of options, with a median home value of approximately $242,900 (as reported by Niche). This median value is notably lower than the Connecticut state average, making it a more affordable option for homebuyers within the state. The homeownership rate in Hazardville stands at a robust 88% (as reported by Data USA), indicating a strong tendency for residents to own their homes.

For those considering renting, the median gross rent in Hazardville is around $1,530 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). This figure provides a clear insight into the rental market’s affordability. Housing vacancies are low, at 4.4%, suggesting consistent demand for housing in the area (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Home Prices and Rental Affordability

Hazardville’s median real estate price is $342,475, which is less expensive than most neighborhoods in Connecticut and below the U.S. average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This competitive pricing extends to rental properties, with the average rental price in Hazardville being $2,672 per month (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). However, other sources indicate a median gross rent of $1,530 per month (as reported by Point2Homes), suggesting a potential variation in reported figures or different methodologies for calculating rent.

The home price-to-income ratio in Hazardville is 2.4, which is significantly lower than the Connecticut average (as reported by AreaVibes). This favorable ratio suggests that housing is relatively affordable for residents in relation to their income. Many homes in Hazardville were built between 1940 and 1999, contributing to the area’s established character (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Economic Landscape and Job Opportunities

Hazardville’s economy is supported by a diverse workforce, with the majority of employed residents working in professional or administrative positions. Approximately 70.2% of the working population is employed in these sectors, while 29.8% are in hands-on or service-based jobs (as reported by Point2Homes). The area’s employment landscape is largely driven by private companies, with 77.1% of residents employed by them, followed by governmental workers and those in non-profit organizations (as reported by Point2Homes).

The unemployment rate in Hazardville is reported at 5.9% (as reported by Point2Homes). While this figure is higher than the typical desirable rate of 4% to 5%, it represents the share of the workforce actively seeking employment. The area’s workforce includes a significant number of self-employed individuals, accounting for 6.9% of the workforce (as reported by Point2Homes).

Major Employers and Industries

Specific major employers in Hazardville are not extensively detailed in the provided search results. However, the broader Enfield area, which includes Hazardville, benefits from various industries. Some businesses listed in the vicinity include Hazardville Wellness, Health New England, Highland Park Market, and Home Depot (as reported by State of Connecticut Labor Market Information). Hazardville Water Co. is also noted as a utility company operating in Enfield (as reported by CT.gov).

Historically, Hazardville was a hub for the gunpowder industry, with the Hazard Powder Company being a significant entity (as reported by Hazardville CT – Official Website). While this industrial past has shaped the area, current employment trends lean towards professional and administrative roles. The local economy also sees contributions from small businesses along Hazard Avenue, serving as community resources (as reported by Hazardville CT – Official Website).

Demographics and Community Profile

Hazardville is home to approximately 6,022 residents, with a slight majority being female (50.6%) compared to male (49.4%) (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is predominantly White, making up 86.6% of residents, with smaller percentages of other racial and ethnic groups, including those identifying with two or more races, African Americans, and Asians (as reported by Point2Homes). The community is largely composed of U.S.-born citizens, with a high rate of citizenship at 99.4% (as reported by Data USA).

The median age in Hazardville is 43.2 years, with a distribution showing significant portions of the population in the middle-aged brackets (45-64 years) and older adult groups (65 and older) (as reported by World Population Review). This age demographic suggests a community with a stable, established population. Households in Hazardville average two members, with a majority (64.6%) being families (as reported by Point2Homes).

Racial and Ethnic Makeup

The racial composition of Hazardville is predominantly White, accounting for 86.6% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes). Other racial groups present include Black or African American at 2.4%, Asian at 2.1%, and individuals identifying with two or more races at 6.7% (as reported by Point2Homes). Hispanic or Latino residents constitute a smaller portion of the population.

Compared to the state of Connecticut, Hazardville has a higher percentage of White residents. The community is considered less racially diverse than Connecticut overall (as reported by Census Dots). The Hispanic population in Hazardville has seen a decline since the 2020 Census, with their share of the population decreasing (as reported by Census Dots).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Hazardville experiences a climate typical of the northeastern United States, characterized by distinct seasons. Summers are generally warm and wet, while winters are cold with snowfall (as reported by WeatherSpark.com). The average daily high temperature ranges from a low in the winter to a high in the summer.

The warmest month in Hazardville is typically July, with average high temperatures around 84°F and lows around 64°F (as reported by WeatherSpark.com). Conversely, January is the coldest month, with average highs of about 35°F and lows around 20°F (as reported by WeatherSpark.com). The area receives a considerable amount of precipitation throughout the year, with June often being the wettest month.

Average Temperatures and Rainfall

Throughout the year, temperatures in Hazardville typically vary from a low of around 19°F to a high of 85°F, rarely dropping below 3°F or exceeding 92°F (as reported by WeatherSpark.com). The warm season extends from late May to mid-September, during which daily high temperatures average above 75°F.

Precipitation is distributed throughout the year, with an average of about 3.63 inches per month (as reported by Time and Date). The period from May to August tends to be wetter, with a higher chance of a wet day (over 29%) (as reported by WeatherSpark.com). This climate supports a range of seasonal activities and influences the local environment.

Education and School System

Hazardville Memorial School serves students in kindergarten through second grade and is part of the Enfield School District. This public elementary school has received a “B” grade from Niche (as reported by Niche). The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, which is lower than the state average, suggesting more individualized attention for students (as reported by Public School Review).

Academically, Hazardville Memorial School demonstrates strong performance, with 96% of students achieving proficiency in math, exceeding the Connecticut state average (as reported by Public School Review). Reading proficiency is also high, with 87% of students meeting or exceeding standards, surpassing the state average as well (as reported by Public School Review).

School Performance and Ratings

Hazardville Memorial School has a student enrollment of 325 students (as reported by Public School Review). The school’s minority enrollment is 39%, which is lower than the Connecticut state average (as reported by Public School Review). Niche has awarded the school an overall grade of B, with specific grades for diversity and teachers being A- and B+, respectively (as reported by Niche).

While Hazardville Memorial School focuses on the early grades, the Enfield School District serves the broader educational needs of the community. Other schools in the vicinity include John F. Kennedy Middle School and Enfield High School, providing educational pathways for older students (as reported by Homes.com). The overall educational environment in Hazardville appears to be a strong point for families with young children.

Cost of Living and Affordability

The cost of living in Hazardville is generally considered to be in line with or slightly lower than the Connecticut state average. While specific data for Hazardville’s overall cost of living compared to the national average isn’t directly provided, the median household income is $81,893 (as reported by World Population Review). This income level is near the Connecticut median, suggesting a comparable standard of living.

Housing costs are a significant factor, with median home values around $242,900 (as reported by Niche) and median rent at $1,530 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). These figures suggest that housing in Hazardville can be more affordable than in many other parts of Connecticut, where the overall cost of living is 13% higher than the national average (as reported by RentCafe).

Income and Expenses

The median household income in Hazardville is $81,893, which is close to the Connecticut median income (as reported by World Population Review). However, it’s important to note that some sources report a median income of $137,344, which is significantly higher than the state average (as reported by AreaVibes). This discrepancy might be due to different data collection methods or the inclusion of different geographic areas.

For renters, the median household income in Hazardville was $52,059 (as reported by Point2Homes). The rent-to-income ratio in the area is 35.3%, indicating that a substantial portion of renters’ earnings goes towards housing expenses. This ratio is higher than the U.S. average of approximately 24% for severely cost-burdened renters (as reported by RentCafe).