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 2,089 at the 2020 census. History The name "Higganum" is derived from an Indian name meaning either "at the tomahawk rock" or "Great Bend in River". At about 1800, Higganum Center was the area of most economic activity in the town. The neighborhood had abundant water power, and Higganum Landing on the Connecticut River formed a natural cove that served as a river port and shipbuilding center from the late 1700s through the mid-1800s. 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. Higganum Landing Historic District has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2018. 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", one bank, a post office, two liquor stores, a barbershop, dry cleaners, restaurants, Dunkin' Donuts, and an ice cream shop. Geography Higganum lies on the southwest banks of the Connecticut River and is found immediately south of Middletown. Geographical landmarks include Candlewood Hill, Candlewood Brook, Seven Falls and Bible Rock. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Higganum CDP has a total area of , of which are land and , or 4.77%, are water. Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 1,671 people, 673 households, and 495 families living in the CDP. The population density was 132.5/km (343.4/mi2). There were 698 housing units at an average density of 55.3/km (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. There were 673 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average