Norwalk, CT

Norwalk, Connecticut

Introduction to Norwalk, Connecticut

The city of Norwalk, part of Fairfield County, lies along the Long Island Sound in southwestern Connecticut about 33 miles southwest of New Haven and 48 miles northeast of New York City. Bordered by Darien, New Canaan, Westport and Wilton, the city is serviced by Interstate I-95, U.S. Routes 1 and 7, and Connecticut State Highway 15 (also known as the Merritt Parkway).

Founded in 1640 and incorporated eleven years later, Norwalk has counted agriculture, coastal trade, manufacturing and shipbuilding among its industries. Once nicknamed "Oyster Town", Norwalk has long relied on oyster farming as its principal industry which even today continues to make the city Connecticut's largest oyster producer.

Arts, Culture and Entertainment in Norwalk

The sandy beaches of Long Island Sound shore and Norwalk's public parks provide a variety of recreational opportunities throughout much of the year. The city boasts over 1,000 acres of park and shoreline land as well as dozens of municipal tennis and basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, and a public golf course. Many of the city's special festivals are outdoors, including the annual Oyster Festival which allows thousands of visitors to sample the city's excellent seafood. Other annual festivals include the Norwalk Harbor Splash!, an event held in early June which features arts and crafts, food, music, and a parade; the St. George Greek Orthodox Festival, which features Greek food and dance exhibitions; the SoNo Arts Celebration, held in mid-summer; and the Round Hill Highland Games, a festival of Scottish culture featuring bagpipes and Scottish athletic events.

Cultural sites in Norwalk include the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, a 62-room mansion designated a National Historic Landmark; the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, a major aquarium specializing in Long Island Sound marine life and ecology; the Mill Hill Historic Park and Museum, a collection of historic buildings maintained by the Norwalk Historical Society; the Norwalk Museum, a Colonial Revival style building which previously served as Norwalk's City Hall; and the Stepping Stones Museum for Children.

Norwalk sports fans can take pride in a local franchise: the Connecticut Wildcats are a semi-professional rugby team which competes in the American National Rugby League (AMNRL). Major league professional sports are only an hour away in New York City, home of the New York Mets and New York Yankees (Major League Baseball), New York Rangers (NHL hockey), New York Knicks (NBA basketball), and New York Liberty (WNBA women's basketball).

High Points

Norwalk strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Connecticut):

Category	Trophy
Racial Diversity (vs. State)	Top 5%
Well-Paid Single Men (vs. Peers)	Top 10%
Well-Paid Single Women (vs. Peers)	Top 11%
Public Transportation Use (vs. Peers)	Top 12%

Comparative Profile of Norwalk, CT

Comparing Norwalk to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Connecticut (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Well-Paid Single Men
Well-Paid Single Women
Racial Diversity
Age of the Population
Male Share of the Population
Senior Citizens
Children Under 5 Years Old
Female Share of the Population

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Median Family Income
College Educated Adults
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Public Transportation Use
Working at Home
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
People Living Alone
Housing Recently Built
Affordability of Rents
Affordability of Property Taxes

Norwalk Almanac

Norwalk Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Norwalk Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Political Contributions (2004)

Money donated by Norwalk residents to parties and candidates for the 2004 elections.

by Political Party

by Presidential Candidate

Nearby Cities and Towns

Norwalk Hospitals

NORWALK HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
(Voluntary non-profit - Other)
24 STEVENS STREET
(203) 852-2000
Emergency Service: Yes

Norwalk High Schools (2004)

NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL
23 CALVIN MURPHY ST.
203-838-4481
Serves 1,689 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 15.6

BRIEN MCMAHON HIGH SCHOOL
300 HIGHLAND AVE.
203-852-9488
Serves 1,407 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 16.4

BRIGGS HIGH SCHOOL
350 MAIN ST.
203-899-2820
A Non-traditional School
Serves 105 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 8.6

HOMEBOUND
125 EAST AVENUE
203-854-4001
A Non-traditional School

Norwalk Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

Norwalk Community College

University of Phoenix

(List of All Connecticut Colleges)

NEW: Community Comments below!