Census: Population grew the most in 4 parts of town
Other Greenwich neighborhoods remained steady in last decade
GREENWICH — The population of Greenwich has remained steady over the past decade, but some neighborhoods have seen significant growth in the number of residents in that time period, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau analysis.
In the past decade, Greenwich’s population grew by only 2,347 people, a 3.8 percent increase overall, to bring it to a total of 63,518 in 2020, Census data shows.
The new data from the Decennial 2020 Census released last month shows the population trends in Greenwich from 2010 to 2020. In that time, four census tracts, or areas, saw growth from 8 percent to nearly 10 percent, according to the latest data from the once-adecade census.
The Chickahominy neighborhood in the westcentral section of the community saw a 9.77 percent bump in population, going from 5,985 residents to 6,570, a jump of 585 people, the data shows.
Sylvester Pecora, a longtime resident and president of the Chickahominy Association, says there has been steady new home construction in the area in recent years.
The Armstrong Court public housing apartment complex has been substantially expanded and renovated, he said, with 18 new units added. The complex is run by Greenwich Communities, formerly known as the Housing Authority of the town of Greenwich.
Pecora, whose son is in the building trade, said a number of other small and medium-size housing complexes have been built in recent years, as well. And “they’re building more,” he said. Overall, the neighborhood is a magnet for younger families, he said.
“I’ve been here since 1960, and it’s a good neighborhood for families. I see it on my street: kids, new couples, young families,” Pecora said.
The census tract around Riverside and North Mianus also saw population growth over the past decade, rising from 4,870 residents to 5,279, an 8.4 percent increase from 2010 to 2020, the Census data shows. Midcountry Greenwich also saw a rise in population from, 4,063 to 4,370 individuals, an increase of 7.56 percent, according to the data.
Both of those areas are attractive to home buyers, said Stefanie Lacoff, a local real estate agent. The midcountry, she said, was a destination even before the COVID-19 pandemic brought an influx of new residents from New York City into the Connecticut suburbs over the past year.
“It’s always a hot spot. It’s not far from town, yet you have larger properties, more space and convenience to town, all in one place. Larger homes, larger properties, plus convenience,” Lacoff said. The North Street School appeared to be a draw for prospective homeowners with school-age children in that area, she said.
Similarly, the North Mianus area is a draw due to its proximity to stores and attractions, as well as for its lower housing costs compared with neighborhoods south of the Post Road. “It’s the most affordable part of Riverside,” Lacoff said. Also, its schools are also well-regarded by families seeking to move into town, she said.
The census tract in Glenville and Pemberwick saw an 8.05 percent rise in population, rising from 5,290 residents to 5,716 over the past decade.
“It’s a good place to live; people like living here,” said Betsey Frumin, chairwoman of District 9 on the Representative Town Meeting.
Large-scale residential construction is ongoing at the old Mill complex on Glenville Road, but that new housing activity was not recorded in the latest Census data.
The town has seen only small increases in population over the decades. In fact, Greenwich’s population has grown by only 9,779 people since 1960, according to the U.S. Census.
“While we’re trying to marry the great past of Greenwich — which has made it so attractive — with a brighter, bolder future — it doesn’t include doubling the size of our population, because that comes with a lot of drawback,” Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo told Greenwich Time recently. He cited higher costs for the town related to education, housing and infrastructure with rising population.
The state’s total population barely moved in the last decade, growing by less than 1 percent, according to the data. It was the smallest gain of any state in the Northeast and the fourth smallest nationwide.
Connecticut had 3,605,944 residents living in the state and 2,354 overseas residents on April 1, 2020, according to data released in April by the Census Bureau. The actual population gain over the decade for people living in the state was 31,847.