Norwich, Connecticut
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Norwich, known as "The Rose of New England," is a city located in New London County, Connecticut. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 36,117. Norwich is located on three rivers, named the Yantic, the Shetucket and the Thames.
Norwich was founded in 1659 when settlers from Old Saybrook, Connecticut purchased land from Chief Uncas founder of the Native American Tribe Mohegan. It came to be known as a manufacturing city because of its many large mills.
Norwich is the birthplace of early American industrialist and politician Erastus Corning, and of Benedict Arnold, for whom there is a commemorative plaque on the lot where his house used to stand. The city library has a prominent portrait of Arnold on the north wall.
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Sports & Recreation
The AA baseball Connecticut Defenders are a farm team of the San Francisco Giants. The Norwich Municipal Ice Rink is an active center for Norwich's youth and young-at-heart. It has a 200’ x 85’ NHL regulation ice surface, four large locker rooms and other amenities. Residents of Norwich, Taftville, Occum and Yantic, senior citizens, and members of the U.S. Armed Forces receive reduced admission rates. Established in 1995, the Rose City Warriors are Norwich's Senior Women's Ice Hockey Team. The Norwich Icebreakers Junior Hockey Team are a Junior A hockey team competing within the America East Hockey League.
The Slater Memorial Museum located on the campus of Norwich Free Academy is named for John Fox Slater (1814 - 1884), corporator of the Norwich Free Academy for twenty years.The museum has grown to include the "Art of Five Continents" - North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Of particular interest are the Vanderpoel Collection of Asian Art, the Paul Zimmerman Collection of African and Oceanic Art, and a collection of American 19th century paintings.
Norwich Neighborhoods
Several Norwich neighborhoods maintain independent identities and are recognized by official signs marking their boundaries. Neighborhoods of Norwich are Norwichtown, Bean Hill, Taftville, Greeneville, Occum, East Great Plain, Thamesville, Laurel Hill and Chelsea (the original "downtown" area.)
Greeneville
The Greeneville section of Norwich Connecticut was named by William Greene. In 1826, Greene purchased land on both sides of the Shetucket River to develop. In 1828, he transferred the land to the Norwich Water Power Company, where he was the largest shareholder. Norwich Water Power Company began construction on a dam in 1829. By 1833, the dam and canals were finished and capable of providing hydro-electric power to 40-50 thousand spindles. Mills were quickly built along the Shetucket River during the mid-1800s to take advantage of this water-power. The remains of the original dam may still be seen upstream of the present dam.
The Greeneville Dam Fishing Area provides fishing and boating access to the Shetucket River at the site of Norwich Public Utilities operated hydroelectric dam and fish ladder. There is a canoe/kayak put-in within a 200 yard portage from the parking area. Norwich Public Utilities offers tours of its Greeneville Dam Fish Lift starting the last week of April and running through the month of May.
Greeneville Dam, accessed off 8th Street, is located on Roosevelt Avenue. Routes leading to the dam are posted with the brown and white Long Island Sound Access sign or you may go to the Connecticut Coastal Access Guide for directions and details.
Greeneville's Neighborhood Revitalization Zone committee, the Greeneville School and its PTO are active in keeping the Greeneville section small business and family-friendly. Taftville is another section of Norwich with a strong neighborhood identity and, despite a modest geographic area/population has kept its own zip code (06380).
Greeneville Elementary School 165 Golden Street Ext. Norwich, CT 06360 Phone: (860) 823-4203 Fax: (860) 823-4288
--YellowCanary 20:39, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 76.4 km² (29.5 mi²). 73.4 km² (28.3 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.87% water.
Demographics
| Historical population of Norwich[1][2] | |
| 1756 | 5,540 |
| 1774 | 7,327 |
| 1782 | 7,325 |
| 1800 | 3,476 |
| 1810 | 3,528 |
| 1820 | 3,634 |
| 1830 | 5,179 |
| 1840 | 7,239 |
| 1850 | 10,265 |
| 1860 | 14,048 |
| 1870 | 16,653 |
| 1880 | 21,143 |
| 1890 | 23,048 |
| 1900 | 24,637 |
| 1910 | 28,219 |
| 1920 | 29,685 |
| 1930 | 32,438 |
| 1940 | 34,140 |
| 1950 | 37,633 |
| 1960 | 38,506 |
| 1970 | 41,739 |
| 1980 | 38,074 |
| 1990 | 37,391 |
| 2000 | 36,117 |
| 2002 | 36,003 (estimate) |
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 36,117 people, 15,091 households, and 9,069 families residing in the city. The population density was 492.2/km² (1,274.7/mi²). There were 16,600 housing units at an average density of 226.2/km² (585.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.14% White, 6.84% Black or African American, 1.21% Native American, 2.10% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.76% from other races, and 3.92% from two or more races. 6.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 15,091 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,181, and the median income for a family was $49,155. Males had a median income of $34,880 versus $26,880 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,742. 11.5% of the population and 8.3% of families were below the poverty line. 14.3% of those under the age of 18 and 11.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Education
- The Norwich Free Academy is the primary high school for children living in Norwich and several surrounding towns.
