Woodbridge, originally an independent parish named “Amity,” was formed from land belonging to New Haven and Milford in 1739. This rule-like town with rolling green countryside was later named after Rev. Benjamin Woodbridge who was ordained in Amity in 1742.
The 2010 census recorded a population of 8,990 and showed a median household income for Woodbridge was $137,216 while the median family income was $155,694. This ranked them 8th in the state in terms of per-capita income, making Woodbridge one of the wealthiest towns in Connecticut.
Woodbridge is known for its award-winning and high-quality schools. The public school system is divided into two districts: Woodbridge School District operates the elementary school (Beecher Road School) while the Amity Regional District manages middle school (Amity Middle School – Bethany) and high school (Amity Regional High School). The middle school, located in Bethany, CT, is shared by both communities. The high school, located in Woodbridge, is shared with Bethany and Orange, CT. Woodbridge is also home to Ezra Academy, a private Jewish day school. Once attended by actress Natalie Portman, Ezra Academy serves students in 21 towns throughout New Haven and Fairfield counties. With its close proximity to Yale and excellent primary school system, Woodbridge is considered one of the most educated towns in Connecticut, boasting one of the highest percentages of residents with graduate or professional degrees in the state. In fact, many of Yale’s faculty call Woodbridge home.
For the outdoor lovers, Woodbridge has an extensive system of preserved hiking trails. Most notable is the Alice Newton Street Memorial Park. Located in the heart of town, the park has approximately 100 acres of protected open space and features “the meadow” and the nearby Wepawaug Falls (“The Falls”). With 5 miles of trails, the Alice Newton Street Memorial Park is a haven for hikers and wildlife alike.
Other points of interest to explore in Woodbridge are the Darling House Museum, Cement Kiln, Green Historic District, and Fallapalooza. The Darling House was built for Thomas Darling between 1772 and 1774. Darling (1720-1789) played a significant role in colonial Connecticut and counted such prominent citizens as Benjamin Franklin, Ezra Stiles, Roger Sherman, and Benedict Arnold among his friends and associates. The Darling family continued to live on the grounds until 1973. The home has a gambrel roof and is surrounded by a well-preserved historic agrarian setting. The homestead includes fine barns and other outbuildings. Many of the interior furnishings are even Darling family pieces. The Cement Kiln, which dates back to 1874, is a rare example of 19th century industry. The Woodbridge Green Historic District is the historic center of the community. It consists of six Greek and Colonial Revival styled properties surrounding the town green including the town hall, the Clark Memorial Library, the fire station, the Center School, and the First Church of Christ. Each October, Woodbridge holds Fallapalooza. This month-long series of events celebrate the many things that makes the town so great. Retailers and restaurants also participate by offering specials throughout the festival.
Fans of the popular CW show Gilmore Girls may recall Woodbridge was noted as the rival of Stars Hollow, the fictional Connecticut town in which the series was set. According to the plot, Stars Hollow was located to the west of Woodbridge. Another interesting factoid about Woodbridge is it is the birthplace of the sulfur match, which was invented by Samuel Beecher and Thomas Sandford in 1835.
With its old fashion small-town charm, exceptional schools, and natural beauty, Woodbridge is an ideal place to live and work.