63-470: The Aspetuck Land Trust is a nonprofit organization founded in 1967 that seeks to preserve open spaces in the towns of Westport , Fairfield , Weston and Easton in Fairfield County, Connecticut . In 2011 it was reported that the trust covered an area of 1,700 acres over 43 sites which include public trails. In 2011 Joan duPont donated 34 acres owned since 1982. In 2011 the trust acquired
126-431: A Representative Town Meeting style governance in 1949. The government consists of a three-member Board of Selectmen, a Representative Town Meeting (RTM), a Board of Finance, a Board of Education, a Planning and Zoning Commission, and various other commissions, boards, and committees. As of 2019, the current mill rate of Westport is 16.86. Staples High School is Westport's only public high school. Staples High School
189-476: A coastal city, Norwalk is home to a great many water sports, including competitive swimming , recreational boating and fishing , sailing , windsurfing , and kayaking . The Norwalk River and inner Norwalk Harbor host rowing events and organizations. Norwalk resident Daniel Walsh won a bronze medal in Beijing with the U.S. Olympic rowing team in the 2008 Summer Olympics . Three golf courses are in
252-607: A company started by her father. She died in the city in 2009. Actress Gene Tierney grew up in Greens Farms. Adult film star Marilyn Chambers grew up in Westport under her given name Marilyn Briggs. Martha Stewart also lived in Westport at her historic estate of Turkey Hill. Jean Donovan , a lay Roman Catholic missioner martyred in El Salvador in 1980 grew up in Westport and graduated from Staples High School. She
315-479: A multimedia diabetes education (and marketing) company. Comprising 234 acres (0.95 km ), Sherwood Island State Park is located on Long Island Sound and includes beach access. Compo Beach and Burying Hill Beach are municipal beaches that are open to out-of-town visitors in the summer for a fee. The state's 9/11 memorial was put in Sherwood Island State Park in Westport; on a clear day
378-412: A population estimate of 28,491 with the median household income at $ 206,466. The 2010 US Census counted the total number of households in Westport being 9,573 of which 7,233 (75.6%) were family households. The population density was 1,322.2 inhabitants per square mile (510.5/km ). There were 10,065 housing units at an average density of 503.0 per square mile (194.2/km ). According to the 2010 Census ,
441-405: A publication by the 2010 Census, Westport has a total area of 33.45 square miles (86.6 km ) of which 19.96 square miles (51.7 km ) (59.67%) is land with the remaining area of 13.49 square miles (34.9 km ) (40.20%) water. Westport is bordered by Norwalk on the west, Weston to the north, Wilton to the northwest, Fairfield to the east and Long Island Sound to the south. Both
504-479: A total of 2,556 students: Greens Farms Academy , located in the 1920s Vanderbilt estate overlooking Long Island Sound , is a K–12 private preparatory school located in the Greens Farms section of town. Westport's first newspaper dates back to the printing and publication of the first issue of The Saugatuck Journal on December 26, 1828. Westport is served by both English-language newspapers and news websites including Westport News and WestportNow . The town
567-823: Is U.S. Route 7 , which is an expressway throughout most of the route in the city. The expressway section ends at Grist Mill Road in Norwalk from where Route 7 resumes northbound along Main Ave. Other state routes include Routes 53 , 123 , and 136 . Public transport bus service within Norwalk is provided by Norwalk Transit District . Norwalk Transit District operates fixed-route public bus service in Norwalk and Westport with evening and Sunday shuttles (serving South Norwalk, Main Avenue, and Connecticut Avenue) and commuter shuttles. Access to other cities through bus services Milford , Danbury , and Stamford. All fixed-route buses meet at
630-749: Is a city located in Western Connecticut , United States, in southern Fairfield County , on the northern shore of the Long Island Sound . Norwalk lies within both the New York metropolitan area and the Bridgeport metropolitan area . Norwalk was originally settled in 1649, and is the sixth-most populous city in Connecticut . According to the 2020 United States Census , it has a population of 91,184. Roger Ludlow purchased
693-685: Is also home to a monthly magazine Westport . Interstate 95 , the Merritt Parkway , and U.S. 1 , as well as the Saugatuck River , run through Westport. Westport has two train stations, Green's Farms and Westport on the Metro-North Railroad 's New Haven Line , which serves Stamford and Grand Central Terminal in New York City or New Haven-Union Station . This line is shared with Amtrak trains as it
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#1732802191007756-551: Is honored on the litany of saints by the Lutheran World Federation and by The Anglican Communion. Academy Award winner Sandy Dennis lived in Westport until her death in 1992. Former FDA chief Scott Gottlieb is a resident of Westport. Former FBI director, James Comey , was a long-time resident of the town. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald also lived in Westport around 1920. As of 2023 , Westport has four sister cities : Norwalk, Connecticut Norwalk
819-901: Is on the Danbury Branch. Metro-North provides commuter service for all four stations. The structure at 47 Wall Street was formerly the Wall Street station of the Danbury Branch, which operated from 1896 to 1936. The city's trolley system barn also operated on Wall Street. Norwalk is within reasonable distance of 11 airports - four general aviation, two regional, and five international. Electric power and natural gas in most of Norwalk are provided by Eversource Energy . The districts purchase wholesale power and arrange for its delivery to, and distribution within, their respective districts. Power lines and meters in East Norwalk , South Norwalk , and parts of Rowayton are maintained by
882-502: Is part of a greater interest to improve pedestrian and cyclist options from the major places of interest in town: downtown Westport to the Westport Train Station. This approximate two-mile stretch of road is most directly accessible via Post Road East ( U.S. Route 1 ) to Riverside Avenue. The third iteration of the study will more specifically address ways in which this path can be improved for people not traveling by car;
945-595: Is part of the Northeast Corridor , but no Amtrak services stop at Green's Farms or Westport. The nearest Amtrak stations are at Bridgeport (10 miles) and Stamford (12 miles). As of 2019, Westport has the highest per capita electric vehicle ownership among municipalities in Connecticut, and #3 overall. A recent initiative by residents of the Town of Westport, Connecticut, culminating in a 2019 report. It
1008-629: Is represented in the United States Congress by one congressional representative (Democrat Jim Himes ) in the United States House of Representatives , and along with the rest of Connecticut, by two U.S. Senators (Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy ) in the United States Senate . Norwalk Public Schools operates public schools, while the community also has various private schools. Norwalk
1071-603: Is the law-writing body of the City of Norwalk. Norwalk's common council consists of fifteen council members, five elected at-large and ten elected by district , two from each district. Norwalk is represented in the Connecticut General Assembly by five House representatives corresponding to five Connecticut legislative districts and one senator from one Connecticut Senate district. Norwalk, which lies within Connecticut's 4th congressional district ,
1134-535: The Continental Army 's military supplies in Danbury . Minutemen from Westport and the surrounding areas crouched hiding while Tryon's troops passed and then launched an offensive from their rear. A statue on Compo Beach commemorates this plan of attack with a crouching Minuteman facing away from the beach, looking onto what would have been the rear of the troops. An additional statue of two cannons facing
1197-611: The Long Island Sound within Connecticut's Gold Coast . It is 48 miles (77 km) northeast of New York City . The town is part of the Western Connecticut Planning Region . Westport's public school system is ranked as the top public school district in Connecticut and 17th best school district in the United States. The earliest known inhabitants of the Westport area as identified through archaeological finds date back 7,500 years. Records from
1260-521: The football , basketball, soccer , and field hockey teams in the fall, as well as lacrosse , baseball , and softball teams in the spring. Brien McMahon High School's football team won the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference and Class M State Football championship in 1994. McMahon High School's boys' lacrosse team won the state division 2 lacrosse championship in 2000. Norwalk
1323-485: The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th districts take place in odd-numbered years. The Fourth and Fifth districts are not counted as separate governments, as they constitute the city proper. Each taxing district has its own property tax rate reflecting the mix of services each receives from the city. Secondly, municipal elections of mayor, common council, board of education, and other positions are also held in odd-numbered years at 13 polling places within five voting districts around
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#17328021910071386-477: The 20th century, a combination of industrialization and popularity among New Yorkers attracted to fashionable Westport—which had attracted many artists and writers—resulted in farmers selling off their land. Westport changed from a community of farmers to a suburban development. From the 1950s through the 1970s, New Yorkers relocating from the city to the suburbs discovered Westport's culture of artists, musicians and authors. The population grew rapidly, assisted by
1449-504: The Boston Post Road, but the completion of the line is hoped to help provide additional power to lower Fairfield County. In addition a high-voltage undersea line runs from Manressa Island to Long Island to help provide electric power to Long Island Power Authority customers. In 2008 the city government of Norwalk started initial investigations of whether the city might resume generating power for sale to electricity customers in
1512-480: The New York City skyline can be seen. In 1960, Westport purchased Longshore Club Park. In 2011, Paul Newman 's estate gave land to Westport to be managed by the Aspetuck Land Trust . Westport, like Connecticut as a whole, is heavily Democratic. Hillary Rodham Clinton outscored Donald J. Trump by 42 points in 2016. Joe Biden outscored Donald J. Trump by more than 50 points in 2020, marking
1575-763: The Norwalk Little League team won the Little League World Series in 1952 . The 14-year-old Babe Ruth League team won the championship in 2008. In 2010, the 12-year-old Norwalk all-star team made it to the Cal Ripken League World Series and placed third in the country. In 2011, the Norwalk Senior American Legion baseball team won the Connecticut state championship. This had not been accomplished by any other Norwalk Legion team in
1638-649: The Third Taxing District installed 3 diesel powered generators at the Norden complex on Norden Place that were initially licensed only for emergency power supply. By summer 2008 the generators, with a combined capacity of 6 Megawatts, had been upgraded to allow licensed operation as regular power providers for the grid (not just emergency power). In 2007 and 2008 the construction of the Middletown-Norwalk transmission line disrupted traffic along
1701-641: The Town of Fairfield. As the settlement expanded its name changed: it was briefly known as "Bankside" in 1693, officially named Green's Farm in 1732 in honor of Bankside Farmer John Green and in 1835 incorporated as the Town of Westport. During the Revolutionary War, on April 25, 1777, a British force of 1,850 under the command of the Royal Governor of the Province of New York , Major General William Tryon , landed on Compo Beach to destroy
1764-504: The Transportation Hub. The Metro-North Railroad 's New Haven Line runs through and stops in Norwalk. The train goes west and east, with Grand Central Terminal and New Haven Union Station being the final stops. The Danbury Branch runs from South Norwalk to Danbury, CT . Four stations are in Norwalk, three of them on the main line which is: Rowayton , South Norwalk and East Norwalk . The fourth station, Merritt 7 ,
1827-640: The Trout Brook Valley lands in Easton. Paul Newman is recognized as responsible for lobbying the Connecticut governor for assisting with the funds for the purchase. Part of this land is a state park known as Trout Brook Valley State Park Reserve . In 2010 it was reported that the trust had preserved hiking trails arounds the Saugatuck river. Westport, Connecticut Westport is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut , United States, along
1890-430: The U.S. average of 24%. According to the 2000 Census , there were 9,586 households, of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.1% were married couples living together, 6.8% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 25.2% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
1953-730: The Westport Fire Department. Established in 1929, the Westport Fire Department currently operates out of 4 fire stations, located throughout the town, and maintains a fire apparatus fleet of 6 Engines, (4 first line and 2 reserve) 1 truck, 1 rescue, 1 fireboat, 1 High Water Unit, 1 utility unit and 1 Shift Commander's unit. The fire department also holds the Fairfield County Hazardous Materials Truck, housed at Westport Fire Headquarters. The Westport Fire Department responds to, on average, approximately 4,000 emergency calls annually. Among
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2016-643: The areas east of the Norwalk River from Chief Mahackemo of the Norwaake (or Naramauke) Indians in 1640. Norwalk was settled in 1649, incorporated September 1651, and named after the Algonquin word noyank , meaning "point of land", or more probably from the Native American name "Naramauke". The Battle of Norwalk took place during the Revolutionary War, and led to the burning of most of
2079-457: The best performance for a Democratic presidential nominee in the town in over 60 years. Westport was one of five towns in Connecticut that backed former Governor John Kasich over Donald J. Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primary. Kasich received 1,098 votes (46.19 percent) ahead of Trump who garnered 1,053 votes (44.30 percent). U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas finished third with 165 votes (6.94 percent). The town switched to
2142-561: The city has a total area of 36.3 square miles (94 km ), of which 13.5 square miles (35 km ) (37.24%) are covered by water. Norwalk's topography is dominated by its coastline along Long Island Sound, the Norwalk River and its eastern and western banks, and the Norwalk Islands . The highest elevation is 315 feet (96 m) above sea level on the fairway of the 16th hole of the Silvermine Golf Course, and
2205-726: The city of Norwalk: Shorehaven Golf Club is a private club in East Norwalk, the Silvermine Golf Club is a private club in Silvermine (part of the course lies in the town of Wilton), and the Oak Hills Park golf course is a public course in West Norwalk. The cross-town rivalry between the city's two largest high schools, Norwalk High School and Brien McMahon High School , is fierce, particularly for
2268-507: The city voted for Bill Clinton . However, between 1928 and 1992, the city only voted Democratic twice: 1936 and 1964 . The City of Norwalk currently has six taxing districts. The First, Second, Third, and Sixth taxing districts are political entities with their respective voters electing officers, holding annual business meetings, approving budgets, and considering other matters, as specified in each of their charters. Election of Taxing District Commissioners and Treasurers by voters from
2331-482: The city. Voting districts are not the same for state and federal elections, which are held on even-numbered years at 12 polling locations. Norwalk's municipal government is a weak-mayor form of a mayor-council government with the mayor of Norwalk elected by its voters. The city's charter gives certain administrative powers exclusively to the council and others jointly to the Council and Mayor. The Common Council
2394-655: The current city. The Ku Klux Klan had a brief presence in Norwalk during the 1920s, but quickly fell apart due to internal issues. In 1955, multiple hurricanes hit the city, causing flooding in Norwalk Harbor . During the 1970s, efforts were taken to historically preserve South Norwalk, resulting in the creation of the Washington Street Historic District . According to the United States Census Bureau ,
2457-479: The districts. Both the second (SNEW) and third (TTD) district electric departments belong to the six member Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative which pools their wholesale power purchasing to obtain lower rates for their customers. Connecticut Light and Power (now Eversource Energy) operated a power plant, Norwalk Harbor Station on Manresa Island , from 1960 to 1999 when it was acquired by NRG Energy , which then began its deactivation in 2013. In 2004
2520-429: The ease of commuting to New York City and back again to rolling hills and the "natural beauty of the town." By this time Westport had "chic New York-type fashion shopping" and a school system with a good reputation, both factors contributing to the growth. By the 21st century, Westport had developed into a center for finance and insurance, as well as professional, scientific and technical services. According to
2583-510: The first report considered the conditional state of the path and the second analyzed traffic conditions. The Norwalk Transit District offers transit options. As of 2020, the Westport Police Department has a full-time complement of 64 sworn police officers that serve the Town of Westport. This department has purchased electric and hybrid fleets. The town of Westport is protected by the paid, full-time firefighters of
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2646-581: The first white settlers report the Pequot Indians living in the area which they called Machamux translated by the colonialists as beautiful land . Settlement by colonialists dates back to the five Bankside Farmers ; whose families grew and prospered into a community that continued expanding. The settlers arrived in 1693, having followed cattle to the isolated area. The community had its own ecclesiastical society, supported by independent civil and religious elements, enabling it to be independent from
2709-405: The local economy. The major financial services companies in Westport now are Bridgewater Associates , a global investment manager and Westport's largest employer, and BNY Mellon . Professional, scientific, and technical services companies include Terex , a Fortune 500 company manufacturing industrial equipment and offering professional and technical services around those products, and dLife ,
2772-532: The low elevation is sea level on Long Island Sound. As of the census of 2010, 85,603 people, 35,415 households, and 21,630 families resided in the city. The population density was 2,358.2 inhabitants per square mile (910.5/km ). The 35,415 housing units had an average density of 975.6 per square mile (376.7/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 68.7% White, 14.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.8% Asian, 9.1% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 24.3% of
2835-438: The many actors, singers and other entertainers who have lived in town is Paul Newman who resided in Westport from 1960 until his death in 2008. His wife, Joanne Woodward , still resides in town. Fala (1940–1952), President Franklin D. Roosevelt 's dog, was an early Christmas gift from Mrs. Augustus G. Kellogg, a town resident. Actress Grace Carney moved to Westport in 1979, when she became president of United Tool and Die,
2898-441: The median income for a household in the town was $ 147,391, and the median income for a family was $ 176,740. As of the 2000 Census, males had a median income of $ 100,000 versus $ 53,269 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 73,664. 2.6% of the population and 1.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 2.7% are under the age of 18 and 2.1% are 65 or older. In July 2008, Westport
2961-472: The petition was to assist their seaport's economic viability that was being undermined by neighboring towns' seaports. For several decades after that, Westport was a prosperous agricultural community, distinguishing itself as the leading onion-growing center in the U.S. In addition, Westport became a shipping center in part to transport onions to market. Blight caused the collapse of Westport's onion industry, leading to mills and factories replacing agriculture as
3024-403: The population of Westport was 92.6% White , 4.0% Asian , 1.2% Black or African American , and 0.1% American Indian . Individuals from other races made up 0.6% of Westport's population while individuals from two or more races made up 1.6%. In addition, Latinos of any race made up 3.5% of Westport's population. About 29.8% of Westport residents were younger than age 18 as of 2010; higher than
3087-528: The population were below the poverty line , including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over. Booking Holdings , Datto , FactSet , Pepperidge Farm , Priceline.com , Terex , Ventus , and Xerox have headquarters in Norwalk. The Financial Accounting Foundation and the Financial Accounting Standards Board are also based in Norwalk. Norwalk has voted Democratic for president since 1992 , when
3150-411: The population. Of the 35,415 households, 27.9% had children under 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were not families. About 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size in the city was 2.55, and the average family size
3213-468: The storied 83-year history. The team defeated Branford, Connecticut, in the championship game. The girls' Norwalk Pride fast-pitch softball team won the Connecticut state championship in 2005, 2006, and 2007. The Norwalk Biddy Basketball All-Star team Won the state and regional titles and then went on to the world championships in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1986 and placed seventh in the world. Being
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#17328021910073276-409: The town's economic engine. Starting around 1910 the town experienced a cultural expansion. During this period artists, musicians, and authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald moved to Westport to be free from the commuting demands experienced by business people. The roots of Westport's reputation as an arts center can be traced back to this period during which it was known as a "creative heaven." In
3339-494: The town. In 1836, the borough of Norwalk was created, covering the central area of the town. In 1853, the first ever train disaster in the United States happened over the Norwalk River . During the 19th and early 20th century, Norwalk was a major railroad stop for the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad . The city of South Norwalk and the remaining parts of the town of Norwalk were both combined in 1910 to form
3402-428: The train station and a total of 26 percent of town residents live within the 100-year floodplain. The floodplain was breached in 1992 and 1996 resulting in damage to private property, the 1992 flooding of the train station parking lot and the implementation of flood mitigation measures that include town regulations that affect renovations and additions to building within the floodplain zone. The 2019 US Census reported
3465-419: The water, a testament to the resistance the minutemen displayed, was erected on the beach in 1901. A sign on Post Road East also commemorates this event. The Town of Westport was officially incorporated on May 28, 1835, with lands from Fairfield , Weston and Norwalk . Daniel Nash led 130 people of Westport in the petitioning of the Town of Fairfield for Westport's incorporation. The driving force behind
3528-400: Was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.10. In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 2.7% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males. According to a 2007 estimate,
3591-400: Was 3.16. The age distribution was 22% under 18, with 7.3% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% were 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 76,161, and for a family was $ 103,032. The per capita income for the city was $ 43,303. About 5.7% of families and 8.4% of
3654-485: Was established in the 1670s was located near the Ludlow Square area of East Norwalk (near the former Roger Ludlow Junior High School). Baseball and softball are popular amateur sports with active leagues across many age groups in Norwalk. Four baseball fields and 16 Little League fields are in the city. Several of the fields, including Calf Pasture Beach , are illuminated for nighttime play. The fields at
3717-545: Was granted a town charter by the Connecticut General Court in 1651. On May 29, 1678, town records mention the establishment of community-supported teaching activities with a passage that reads: "'At a town meeting... voted and agreed to hier a scole master to teach all the children in ye town to lerne to Rede and write; and that Mr. Cornish shall be hierd for that service and the townsmen are to hier him upon as reasonable terms as they can." The school that
3780-531: Was named the fifth top-earning city in the US, with a median family income of $ 193,540 and median home price of $ 1,200,000. In 2018, data from the American Community Survey revealed that Westport was the 9th wealthiest city in the United States. The financial services sector employs 7,171 in Westport; half of whom commute daily to Westport. The financial services industry is a major segment of
3843-618: Was once the home of the Connecticut Wildcats , part of the American National Rugby League , from 2003 to 2015. Norwalk is the home of National Havoc Robot League , a robot combat competition which holds tournaments six times a year. News sources in Norwalk include News 12 Connecticut , a regional news channel for southwestern Connecticut and based in Norwalk. The Hour was an independent daily newspaper based in Norwalk and founded in 1871, which
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#17328021910073906-456: Was purchased by Hearst Communications on April 12, 2016. NancyonNorwalk.com is a self-published, nonprofit news site founded in 2010 that covers local issues. Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway lead through Norwalk, with several exits within the Norwalk city limits, and are the major thoroughfare through the city. U.S. Route 1 goes through the center of the city, mostly following local streets. The major north–south corridor in Norwalk
3969-519: Was ranked No. 1 for best high schools in Connecticut and 279th best nationwide." The school is in the Staples neighborhood. The district has two middle schools, Bedford Middle School and Coleytown Middle School. In September 2009, Bedford Middle School was awarded the government-honored Blue Ribbon Award . In 2020, Bedford Middle and Coleytown Middle schools were ranked No. 3 and No. 7 in the state, respectively. There are five elementary schools with
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