Greenwich ( GREN-itch) is a town in southwestern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 63,518. It is the largest town on Connecticut's Gold Coast. Greenwich is the location of many hedge funds and financial services firms due to its residential setting and proximity to Manhattan.
Greenwich is a principal community of the Bridgeport–Stamford–Norwalk–Danbury metropolitan statistical area, which comprises all of Fairfield County, and is part of both the greater New York metropolitan area and the Western Connecticut Planning Region. The town is the southwesternmost municipality in both the State of Connecticut and the six-state region of New England. The town is named after Greenwich, a royal borough of London in the United Kingdom.
History
The town of Greenwich was settled in 1640 by the agents Robert Feake and Captain Daniel Patrick, from Watertown, Massachusetts, who purchased, on behalf of New Haven Colony, the land from the Siwanoy Indians in exchange of 25 English coats. One of the founders was Elizabeth Fones Winthrop Feake, daughter-in-law of John Winthrop, founder and governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It was named after Greenwich, near London. What is now called Greenwich Point was known for much of the area's early history as "Elizabeth's Neck" in recognition of Elizabeth Fones and the 1640 purchase of the Point and much of the area now known as Old Greenwich. Greenwich was declared a township by the Connecticut General Assembly in Hartford on May 11, 1665.
During the American Revolution, General Israel Putnam made a daring escape from the British on February 26, 1779, in Greenwich. Although British forces captured and sacked the town, Putnam was able to warn Stamford.
In 1974, Gulliver's Restaurant and Bar, on the border of Greenwich and Port Chester, burned, killing 24 young people.
In 1983, the Mianus River Bridge, which carries traffic on Interstate 95 over an estuary, collapsed, resulting in the death of three people.
For many years, Greenwich Point (locally termed "Tod's Point"), was open only to town residents and their guests. However, a lawyer sued, saying his rights to freedom of assembly were threatened because he was not allowed to go there. The lower courts disagreed, but the Supreme Court of Connecticut agreed, and Greenwich was forced to amend its beach access policy to all four beaches in 2001. These beaches include Greenwich Point Park, Island Beach, Great Captain Island, and Byram Park.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau in 2000, the town had a total area of 67.2 square miles (174 km2), of which 47.8 square miles (124 km2) is land and 19.4 square miles (50 km2), or 28.88%, is water. In terms of area, Greenwich is twice the size of Manhattan. The town is bordered to the west by Port Chester and Rye Brook, while to the north, it is bordered by North Castle, all of which are in New York. To the south, it is bordered by the Long Island Sound. To the east, it is bordered by Stamford, which is also in Connecticut.
Neighborhoods and sections
The U.S. Census Bureau recognizes nine CDPs within the town: Byram, Cos Cob, Glenville, Indian Field, Old Greenwich, Pemberwick, Riverside, Rock Ridge and the Greenwich CDP covering the historic municipal center of the town. The USPS lists separate zip codes for "Greenwich" (spanning two zip codes), Cos Cob, Old Greenwich, and Riverside, for a total of five zip codes, plus a sixth zip code for PO Box. Additionally, Greenwich is often further divided into several smaller, unofficial neighborhoods.
Greenwich's Hispanic and Latin American population is concentrated in the southwestern corner of the town.
Historical sites
Islands
Calf Island is a 29-acre (120,000 m2) island about 3,000 feet (910 m) from the Byram shore in Greenwich.
More than half of the island (on the west side) is a bird sanctuary off-limits to members of the public without permission to visit. As of 2006 the island is available for overnight stays for those with permits, otherwise the east side is open from dawn until dusk.
Great Captain Island is also off the coast of Greenwich, and includes the southernmost point in Connecticut. There is a U.S. Coast Guard lighthouse on this island, as well as a designated area as a bird sanctuary. The lighthouse is a skeletal tower.
Island Beach or "Little Captain Island" once was the venue for the town's annual Island Beach Day. Ventriloquist Paul Winchell and his dummy, Jerry Mahoney, once came for a show, and on another occasion the Connecticut National Guard let adults and children fire machine guns into the water, according to an article in the Greenwich Time.
Island Beach has changed over the decades. The bathhouse once on the island's eastern shore is gone, and erosion is slowly eating away at the beaches themselves.
Climate
Greenwich experiences a humid continental climate (Dfa); however, it is quite close to a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa). During winter storms, it is common for the area north of the Merritt Parkway to receive significantly heavier snowfall than the area closer to the coast, due to the moderating influence of Long Island Sound. Tempatures range from −6 °C or 21 °F to 28 °C or 82 °F. Rainfall is more common in March to May, with rainfall reaching 120 mm (4.7 in) in March, despite this, the difference in rainfall is no more than a 38 millimeter (or 1.5 inch) difference.
Demographics
At the 2020 U.S. census, there were 63,518 people in Greenwich. Per the American Community Survey's 2018 estimates, the population of Greenwich grew to 62,574. There were 24,234 housing units, 22,251 households, and 16,322 families in 2018. The town's racial and ethnic makeup was 72.8% non-Hispanic White, 3.3% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian or Alaska Native, 7.6% Asian, and 2.2% of more than one race. Hispanic or Latino residents made up 13.8% of the population.
The average household size from 2014 to 2018 grew to 2.78 members and the average family size was 3.28. The median household income excluding capital gains was $142,819 and the average income was $272,636. Including capital gains, the median household income in 2014 was $511,411. The per capita income for the town was $98,467.
At the census of 2000, there were 61,101 people, 23,230 households, and 16,237 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,277.6 inhabitants per square mile (493.3/km2). There were 24,511 housing units at an average density of 512.5 per square mile (197.9/km2). At the census estimates of 2013, the racial makeup of the town was 80.90% White, 4.90% Black, 0.10% Native American, 7.80% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, and 2.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 13.90% of the population.
There were 23,230 households, out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 members and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town, the age distribution of the population was as follows: 25.4% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
Wealth
Greenwich is home to three of the wealthiest zip codes in Connecticut, 06878, 06830 and 06831, with average adjusted gross incomes of $754,990, $638,560 and $721,550, and median household incomes of $182,386, $109,250 and $155,417, respectively. In recent decades, the town has attracted wealthy expatriates due to its low tax rate, school system, and proximity to Manhattan.
The median listing price for a home in the town was $2.3 million in 2021.
Asian population growth
From 2010 to 2020 the town’s Asian-American population increased by 18%. Tatiana Flowers of Greenwich Time stated that reasons for Asian Americans to move to Greenwich included its closeness to New York City, the public education system, and the availability of public transportation.
Economy
Greenwich, along with Stamford, is an economic hub of Fairfield County and its metropolitan statistical area. Prominent companies based in the town of Greenwich include AQR Capital, Blue Harbour Group, Blyth, Inc., Cambridge Solutions, First Reserve Corporation, Interactive Brokers, Nestlé Waters North America, North Street Capital, Silver Point Capital, Viking Global Investors, W. R. Berkley, a holding company for subsidiaries that sell property-casualty insurance, XFL, and XPO, Inc. Other major institutions in the township are Greenwich Hospital, Hyatt Regency, Tudor Investment Corporation, Eversource Energy, Brunswick School, and Camuto Group. Former companies based in Greenwich include Blue Sky Studios.
Arts and culture
Greenwich was home to the Greenwich International Film Festival, which acts in coordination with nonprofits to promote socially conscious filmmaking in the city's downtown in an annual June festival, in addition to screenings and events held year-round. The festival announced it was closing in June 2025.
The Greenwich Symphony Orchestra begun in 1958 as the Greenwich Philharmonia. The Philharmonia was conducted by high school music teacher Ken Wendrich. The orchestra became fully professional by 1967. That year the orchestra found a new conductor, Juilliard graduate John Nelson. The Greenwich Choral Society, founded in 1925, performs locally and elsewhere, including in New York City and Europe.
The Greenwich post office contains a mural, The Packet Sails from Greenwich Green, painted in 1939 by Victoria Hutson Huntley.
The Bruce Museum is a town-owned institution with sections devoted to art and natural history. Putnam Cottage (Knapp Tavern) historic house museum, is also located within Greenwich.
Acacia Lodge No. 85, Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons, founded in 1857 in the top level of the old Cos Cob School House, is located in the town. Its members were originally of Union Lodge No. 5, founded 1763, and though its "home base" was Stamford, it was given the jurisdiction of "Stamford, Horseneck and parts adjacent." Union Lodge often met in Greenwich, and the first recorded meeting place was Knapp's Tavern on the King's Highway.
The Greenwich Town Party is a recurring music festival in Greenwich. Past headliners have included The Temptations, Paul Simon, the Eagles, Santana, the Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel, Steely Dan and Mumford & Sons.
Sports and recreation
Recreation
The Greenwich Y.M.C.A., which appears on the National Register of Historic Places, offers fitness and social services.
Equinox, a luxury fitness club, has a location in Greenwich.
Arch Street, The Greenwich Teen Center has age-specific programs and events on weekdays and weekends.
Dorothy Hamill Rink is a town-owned ice rink open seasonally.
The Greenwich Polo Club is a polo club and event venue that was established in 1981.
Parks
- Binney Park
- Pomerance Park
- Bruce Park
- Cos Cob Park
- Byram Park
- Babcock Preserve
- Mianus River Park
- Greenwich Common
Private membership clubs
- Greenwich Country Club
- The Milbrook Club
- Round Hill Club
- The Stanwich Club
- Burning Tree Country Club
- Field Club of Greenwich
- Tamarack Country Club
- Fairview Country Club
- Indian Harbor Yacht Club
- Riverside Yacht Club
- Belle Haven Club
- Old Greenwich Yacht Club (OGYC)
- Rocky Point Club
- Greenwich Water Club
- Greenwich Boat & Yacht Club
- Innis Arden Golf Club
- The Greenwich Skating Club
Education
Public schools
Greenwich High School is the district's sole high school. As of 2012, elementary schools had the same racial demographics as the town. The 3 middle schools have representative enrollment.
Private schools
Approximately 25-30% of K-12 residents are enrolled in private schools, a high ratio compared to other municipalities in Connecticut and elsewhere in the region.