Higganum

Higganum, Connecticut
Census-designated place
View of a street in Higganum, from a postcard mailed in 1909
Coordinates: 41°29′49″N 72°33′25″W / 41.49694°N 72.55694°W / 41.49694; -72.55694Coordinates: 41°29′49″N 72°33′25″W / 41.49694°N 72.55694°W / 41.49694; -72.55694
Country	USA
State	Connecticut
County	Middlesex County
Area
• Total	13.2 km2 (5.1 sq mi)
• Land	12.6 km2 (4.9 sq mi)
• Water	0.6 km2 (0.2 sq mi)
Population (2000)
• Total	1,671
• Density	132.5/km2 (343/sq mi)

Higganum is a village and census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Haddam, a part of Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,671 at the 2000 census.

Higganum is derived from an Indian name meaning "at the tomahawk rock".

At about 1800, Higganum Center was the area of most economic activity in the town. The neighborhood had abundant water power, and Higganum Landing was a natural cove and river port. Higganum now encompasses the town's traditional center and remains the shopping and civic center for Haddam. It has a center green with a veterans' memorial, Shad museum, a youth center and a gazebo. The center has a "feed store", three banks, a post office, two liquor stores, a barber shop, dry cleaners, restaurants, Dunkin' Donuts, and now, it even has an ice cream shop!

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 13.2 km² (5.1 mi²). 12.6 km² (4.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (4.32%) is water.

The name originated from the language of the Higganumpus Indians which means Great Bend in River.

Higganum lies on the banks of the Connecticut River and is found immediately south of Middletown. Geographical landmarks include Candlewood Hill, Candlewood Brook, Seven Falls and Bible Rock.

Scovil Hoe Company, which made hoes that helped till soil for crops that included cotton and tobacco, once had a major factory based in Higganum.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,671 people, 673 households, and 495 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 132.5/km² (343.4/mi²). There were 698 housing units at an average density of 55.3/km² (143.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.19% White, 1.08% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population.