New Britain was settled in the 1680s, incorporated as a town until 1850, then as a city in 1871 and consolidated both in 1905. During the 1840s, large numbers of Irish Catholics fleeing a famine arrived, followed next by the Germans and Swedes. By 1930, thanks to World War I and its aftermath, Armenian, Swedish, Assyrian, but mostly Polish immigrants had settled. By the 1930s, a third of New Britain's population was ethnically Polish. The hardware industry has given way to other economic drivers, including health care. Among the top five employers are the Hospital of Central Connecticut, the Hospital for Special Care and the city of New Britain including its board of education. Currently health care supports roughly 7,200 jobs while all manufacturing adds 3,700. The largest taxpayers include Connecticut Light and Power Co., Stanley Black & Decker Inc., and Pebblebrook Apartments. Famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, designed Walnut Hill Park. Founded in 1903, The New Britain Museum of American Art is the country's first museum devoted strictly American art.
In its heyday, New Britain was known as Connecticut's "Hardware City" thanks to the major manufacturers.
New Britain has five sister cities: Pultusk, Poland; Atsugi, Japan; Rastatt, Germany; Giannista, Greece; and Solarino, Italy.
School Stats (2010-11)
10,054 students; average class size of 23.5 in kindergarten; 18.1 in high school; average SAT score 440 (reading), 429 (writing), 440 (math).
House Sales (2009-13)
Down 8.7 percent
Median House Sale Price (2009-13)
$127,900, down 8.6 percent