The first inhabitants of the area they called Poconnuck were the Mattabesec Native Americans. These were part of what became known as the Wappinger confederacy, which in turn belonged to the loose Algonquian confederacy.
Sharon was incorporated in 1739. It is named after the Plain of Sharon.[3]
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 2,968 people, 1,246 households, and 775 families residing in the town. The population density was 50.6 inhabitants per square mile (19.5/km2). There were 1,617 housing units at an average density of 27.5 per square mile (10.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.87% White, 0.94% African American, 0.57% Asian, 0.44% Native American, 0% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.95% of the population.
There were 1,246 households, of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.3% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
The median household income was $53,000, and the median family income for a family was $71,458. Males had a median income of $42,841 versus $31,375 for females. The per capita income for the town was $45,418. About 3.9% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under the age of 18 and none of those 65 and older.
Education
Sharon is a member of Regional School District 01, which also includes the towns of Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, North Canaan, and Salisbury. Public school students attend Sharon Center School from grades K–8 and Housatonic Valley Regional High School or Oliver Wolcott Regional Vocational Technical School from grades 9–12.
Transportation
The town is served by state highways 4, 41, 343, and 361. Route 4 has its western terminus in Sharon and leads southeast 8 miles (13 km) to Cornwall Bridge and ultimately east 47 miles (76 km) to West Hartford. Route 41 leads north 8 miles (13 km) to Salisbury and southwest 4 miles (6 km) to the New York state line, Route 343 leads west and becomes New York State Route 343, leading 5 miles (8 km) to Amenia, New York, and Route 361 leads towards Millerton, New York, 6 miles (10 km) north of Sharon.
