Regional Plan of Conservation and Development, 2006-2015

Regional Plan of Conservation and Development, 2006-2015Chapter 2 – Demographic ProfileBetween 1990 and 2000, the population of theSouth Western Region increased by 7.2 percent, from329,925 to 353,556. This rate was twice that of theState of Connecticut and marks the most rapidpopulation growth since the decade 1960-1970.Between 2000 and 2004, the Region’s populationcontinued to increase, growing by approximately8,595 persons, or 2.43 percent. However, this rate ofgrowth was slightly lower than that of the state as awhole during that period (see Table 2.1).In 2000, Stamford, Norwalk and Greenwich wereranked respectively as the fourth, sixth and tenth mostpopulous municipalities in the state. As indicated inTable 2.2, between 1990 and 2000, each of thesemunicipalities experienced population growth, which isnoteworthy considering that Bridgeport, Hartford, NewHaven and Waterbury all experienced population lossduring the same period. Altogether, Stamford, Norwalkand Greenwich accounted for 69 percent of theRegion’s population growth during the 1990s.Although less dramatic, each of the other five townsalso experienced growth during the 1990s, rangingfrom Westport’s 5.5 percent growth rate to Weston’s16.1 percent rate. In fact, population growth during the1990s was the most rapid since the decade of the1960s. Population estimates generated in 2004indicate that the Region’s municipalities are continuingto experience population growth, ranging fromapproximately 1.4 percent in Greenwich to 2.6 percentin Stamford.YearTable 2.1 – Population Change, 1960-2004South Western RegionTotalPopulationPopulation DensityPercentChangeTotalPopulationConnecticutPercentChange2004 362,151 2.43% 3,503,604 2.88%2000 353,556 7.2% 3,405,565 3.6%1990 329,935 1.3% 3,287,116 5.8%1980 325,546 -2.5% 3,107,576 2.5%1970 333,935 19.6% 3,032,217 19.6%1960 279,204 -- 2,535,234 --Note: The 1960-2000 population figures are actual counts while the 2004 figures arepopulation estimates.Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population and Housing, 1960-2000; 7/1/2003 Sub-County Estimates File for Internet DisplayIn 2000, the Region had a population density of1,683 persons per square mile. Norwalk and Stamfordwere the most densely populated communities in theRegion, with 3,637 and 3,103 persons per square mile,respectively, while Weston was the least denselypopulated town with 507 persons per square mile.The Region’s population is generally concentratedsouth of the Merritt Parkway in Stamford and Norwalk,and along the Route 1/I-95 corridor in the coastalTable 2.2 – Population by Municipality, 1960 to 20041960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004Percent Change1960 to 2004Darien 18,437 20,336 18,892 18,196 19,607 20,508 11%Greenwich 53,793 59,755 59,578 58,441 61,101 62,240 16%New Canaan 13,466 17,451 17,931 17,864 19,395 19,965 48%Norwalk 67,775 79,288 77,767 78,331 82,951 84,401 25%Stamford 92,713 108,798 102,453 108,056 117,083 120,226 30%Weston 4,039 7,417 8,284 8,648 10,037 10,278 154%Westport 20,955 27,318 25,290 24,410 25,749 26,544 27%Wilton 8,026 13,572 15,351 15,989 17,633 17,989 124%South WesternRegion279,204 333,935 325,546 329,935 353,556 362,151 30%Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population and Housing. Note: the 1960-2000 figures represent population counts and the 2004 figures represent population estimates7