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Groton, CT

Frequently asked questions

Groton, CT

Groton is a town in New London County, Connecticut on the Thames River. It is the home of General Dynamics Electric Boat, the major contractor for submarine work for the United States Navy. The Naval Submarine Base New London is located in Groton, and the pharmaceutical company Pfizer is also a major employer. Avery Point in Groton is home to a regional campus of the University of Connecticut. The town is part of the Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region. The population was 38,411 at the 2020 census.

Groton was established in 1705 when it separated from New London, Connecticut. The town was named after Groton, Suffolk in England. A hundred years before it was established, the Niantic people settled in the area between the Thames River and Pawcatuck River, but they eventually settled in Westerly, Rhode Island. The newcomers to the land were the Pequots, a branch of the Mohawk people who moved eastward into the Connecticut River Valley.

The land was poor for farming, but access to the region's waterways left room for commerce and trade, and Groton became a town of oceangoing settlers. Most of the community began to build ships, and soon traders made their way to Massachusetts Bay Colony and Plymouth Colony to trade for food, tools, weapons, and clothing. John Leeds was the earliest shipbuilder, coming as a sea captain from Kent, England. He built a 20-ton brigantine, a two-masted sailing ship with square-rigged sails on the foremast and fore-and-aft sails on the mainmast. Thomas Starr built a 67-ton square-sterned vessel, and Thomas Latham launched a 100-ton brig on the Groton bank with the mast standing and fully rigged. The sturdy ships built in Groton engaged in highly profitable trade with the islands of the Caribbean.

On September 6, 1781, the Battle of Groton Heights was fought between a combined force of state troops and local militia led by William Ledyard and British forces led by Benedict Arnold. No one at Fort Griswold had expected an attack, especially after six years of false alarms. At sunrise, a force of 1,700 British regulars landed on both sides of the mouth of the Thames River. The fleet had sailed from Long Island the evening before, and only a sudden shift in the wind prevented a surprise attack during the night; it was 9 a.m. the next day before the transports could come ashore to land the troops.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.3 square miles (117.3 km²), of which 31.0 square miles (80.4 km²) is land and 14.2 square miles (36.9 km²), or 31.47%, is water.

In terms of health and wellness, Groton prioritizes the well-being of its residents. Lawrence + Memorial Hospital serves as a primary healthcare provider, offering a range of medical services to the community. Parks and green spaces, such as Washington Park and Poquonnock Plains Park, contribute to the overall wellness of the community, providing areas for relaxation and exercise. The Community Health and Wellness Center of Greater Torrington provides comprehensive patient-centered care. For those seeking top-tier education and boarding schools with a focus on overall development, the Groton School offers numerous physical activities as part of its program. The UConn Student Health and Wellness Center supports students with a range of health services and activities aimed at promoting optimal well-being. For fitness enthusiasts, there are local gyms and fitness centers, such as Planet Fitness and the YMCA, offering various classes and workout equipment. Yoga studios like Blissworks Yoga offer a range of classes to enhance physical and mental well-being.

Top sites in Groton, CT are Bluff Point State Park, Submarine Force Library & Museum, Avery Copp House Museum, and Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park.

Population: ~38,762 (2025). ZIP code: 06340. Area codes: 860, 959. Elevation: 79 ft. Area: 45.3 sq mi (117.3 km²).

FAQs

What is Groton, CT famous for?

Groton is sometimes referred to as the "Submarine Capital of the World," and boasts a rich maritime heritage deeply rooted in its history of submarine development and innovation. Home to one of the largest submarine bases globally, Groton serves as a hub for naval operations and submarine technology advancements. The town proudly hosts the National World War II Submarine Memorial East, honoring the legacy of submarines and their crucial role in naval warfare. Among its notable features is the inclusion of parts from the USS Flasher, serving as a poignant reminder of the town's enduring connection to submarine history and legacy.

How safe is Groton, CT?

Groton has an overall crime rate of 9 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Groton is 1 in 116. Despite this statistical average, residents need to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure personal safety and security within the community.

Is Groton, CT expensive?

The total cost of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities for a single adult in Groton is $41,892 a year — about the same as the annual cost of living for Connecticut of $42,280 and greater than the national figure of $38,433. Housing is one of the largest components of the cost of living. In Groton, the median home value is $207,900, greater than the national median home value of $204,900.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Groton

24/7 Wall St

Neighborhood Scout

Bluff Point State Park 

Submarine Force Library & Museum 

Avery Copp House Museum 

Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park

Lawrence + Memorial Hospital

Washington Park

Poquonnock Plains

Community Health and Wellness Center of Greater Torrington

Groton School 

UConn Student Health and Wellness Center 

Planet Fitness

YMCA

Blissworks Yoga

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.