BACKCOUNTRY BOOM
Census: Greenwich sees increase in Asian-American population
GREENWICH — The Asian population, ranked as the third largest group in town, surged by 18 percent over the last decade in Greenwich, with the most population growth recorded in three neighborhoods, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census.
“My first thought is that I am happy that Greenwich is becoming more diverse,” said Christine Kim, a Chinese-American woman who lives in Cos Cob. “Our country is becoming more diverse racially, and in other ways, so it’s reasonable that Greenwich follows suit.”
Kim, who moved to town in 1999, said she has made lifelong friends in Greenwich and
reaped the benefits of living in an affluent town with access to stellar parks, a beach, libraries, a museum and more.
Several local residents and politicians who identify as Asian American discussed the census data in recent interviews and cited other reasons for the population growth. The town’s top-notch schools, its close its proximity to New York City, and the good public transportation were mentioned by many, along with Greenwich’s small-town peacefulness and coastal location.
In terms of diversity, the number of Greenwich residents who identified as Hispanic on the census rose by 36 percent from 2010 to 2020. Hispanics now make up about 13 percent of the town’s residents, the second largest group behind those who identified as multiracial, according to the data.
Residents who identify as Asian American make up the next largest group, constituting about 7 percent of the town’s 63,518 residents, according to the Census data.
The biggest increase in the Asian population in terms of numbers of residents as well as in percent change over the past 10 years occurred in three census tracts. Decennial 2020 data released by the U.S Census Bureau last month shows Greenwich has become more diverse from 2010 to 2020.
Census tract 10102, which includes part of backcountry and midcountry Greenwich, saw a 50.24 percent rise in the population that identifies as Asian American, with 106 more residents from 2010 to 2020 in that area, according to the data.
Census tract 10900, which includes part of Riverside and North Mianus, experienced a 43.93 percent increase, or 235 more residents, according to the data. Census tract 11000, which encompasses Old Greenwich, saw a 51.71 percent jump, or 121 more residents, according to the data.
Finding a home
Robert Reiner, 66, who lives in the backcountry, said it can be difficult to make theories about the census results and the growth in the Asian-American population at first glance.
“One of the largest difficulties is understanding what it means to be Asian American or AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) because it’s such a broad community,” said Reiner, who identifies as Japanese American.
“Someone from Burma has a much different experience from someone from Korea, as an example, in terms of when they arrived in the country and education level and income level,” he said.
Reiner moved to Greenwich from New York City shortly after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. When the second plane hit the World Trade Center, he was working in the building across the street and the windows blew out.
He and his wife decided shortly after that to seek a calmer life. They had already spent many years looking for the perfect place to live, but always felt they would have to give up something important — a nice view, ample space or a good neighborhood, for example, he said.
“When we came to Greenwich, we had lots of choices of good places we wanted to live, and backcountry has been really wonderful,” said Reiner, who collects comic books that address social issues and censorship and said comic books helped him succeed.
Neither of his parents finished high school, he said, but he earned two master’s degrees.
“They helped me learn to read,” Reiner said of comic books. “I learned to draw from comic books, which made it possible for me to finance my education as a graphic designer and art director. So, I have a high reverence for the ability to tell stories through graphic means.”
As Reiner and his wife approach retirement, they wonder about their next step. They have discussed moving abroad but have not found the right place, he said.
“So, this is a good placeholder,” he said of Greenwich, “where we might actually spend the rest of our lives.”
Asian lawmakers
In Greenwich, two legislators who represent the town in the state House also identify as Asian American.
State Rep. Kimberly Fiorello, R-149, said the reasons that many Asian Americans move to Greenwich are not unique.
“In terms of understanding why people move here, I never presume that because we share a culture, we think alike,” said Fiorello, who was born in Korea and now lives near the Greenwich Library.
“So much of the decisions in moving to a town are related to people’s work, their school choices, their individual tastes for what towns they enjoy,” she said. “I think Asian Americans are like any other person who would move here.”
State Rep. Harry Arora, R-151, said he studies immigration data frequently.
“Why did I choose Greenwich or why did many of my friends choose Greenwich?” said Arora, who identifies as Indian American and lives in midcountry.
“These are people who are attracted by the opportunity as well as the openness, generally, of Fairfield County. Here in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, people will say those communities are closed. But for Indian Americans, we find these are good communities, good schools, open, and generally really good towns to be in,” he said.
Arora said he immigrated to the U.S. from India as a student 28 years ago.
A major wave of immigration from India occurred in the mid- to-late 1990s, he said, as U.S. companies recruited computer professionals to address Y2K concerns that threatened computer systems, Arora said.
“Y2K started a trend of technology outsourcing from India. And while many Indian Americans are here because of the Y2K surge, and are in technology, there are many others who are pursuing other fields,” he said.
As a result, many of the Indians who moved to the U.S. during that technologyrelated surge, had high education level, he added.
“For this demographic, because they themselves are quite well educated ... they tend to gravitate to areas where the school districts are strong,” Arora said.
Supporting other Asian Americans
Fiorello, who moved to Greenwich a decade ago from Scarsdale, N.Y., said she has found that some Connecticut residents have been thrilled to realize she is the first and only Korean American woman to serve in the state General Assembly.
After eight people, six of whom were Asian women, were killed by a gunman at three massage parlors in Atlanta in March, several Asian American residents of Connecticut were directed to reach out to Fiorello, who spoke to them in Korean.
“It was related to them experiencing feelings of being discriminated against,” Fiorello said. “I guess it does help people to feel like there’s someone who can relate.”
Like all the others interviewed, Fiorello said she was happy to see the increased diversity in town.
“I think it’s wonderful that this area is growing,” she said. “To have a thriving economy, you need capital and you need people, and so it’s a very encouraging thing that people are coming to Greenwich, and I’m thrilled and I welcome them and I look forward to representing those who are in my district.”