Norwich is a city located in New London County, Connecticut. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 36,117. Norwich is located on three rivers, named the Yantic, the Shetucket and the Thames.

Norwich was founded in 1659 by settlers that came from Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It came to be known as a manufacturing city because of its many large mills.

Norwich is the birthplace of early American industrialist and politician Erastus Corning, and of Benedict Arnold, for whom there is a commemorative plaque on the lot where his house used to stand. The city library has a prominent portrait of Arnold on the north wall.

The AA baseball Norwich Navigators are a farm team of the San Francisco Giants.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 76.4 km² (29.5 mi²). 73.4 km² (28.3 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.87% water. Neighborhoods of Norwich are Norwichtown, Bean Hill, Taftville, Greenville, Occum, East Great Plain, Thamesville and Chelsea (the original "downtown" area.)

Historical Population

• 1756 - 5,540
• 1774 - 7,327
• 1782 - 7,325
• 1800 - 3,476
• 1810 - 3,528
• 1820 - 3,634
• 1830 - 5,179
• 1840 - 7,239
• 1850 - 10,265
• 1860 - 14,048
• 1870 - 16,653
• 1880 - 21,143
• 1890 - 23,048
• 1900 - 24,637
• 1910 - 28,219
• 1920 - 29,685
• 1930 - 32,438
• 1940 - 34,140
• 1950 - 37,633
• 1960 - 38,506
• 1970 - 41,739
• 1980 - 38,074
• 1990 - 37,391
• 2000 - 36,117
• 2002 - 36,003 (estimate)

Sources: Interactive Connecticut State Register & Manual and U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 36,117 people, 15,091 households, and 9,069 families residing in the city. The population density is 492.2/km² (1,274.7/mi²). There are 16,600 housing units at an average density of 226.2/km² (585.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 83.14% White, 6.84% Black or African American, 1.21% Native American, 2.10% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.76% from other races, and 3.92% from two or more races. 6.11% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 15,091 households out of which 29.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% are married couples living together, 15.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% are non-families. 32.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.34 and the average family size is 2.96.

In the city the population is spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $39,181, and the median income for a family is $49,155. Males have a median income of $34,880 versus $26,880 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,742. 11.5% of the population and 8.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.3% of those under the age of 18 and 11.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.