Census 2010: Norwalk Is Larger, More Hispanic and More Asian

U.S. Census figures released today show Norwalk's population has grown by 3.2 percent to 85,603 in the last decade, with most of the growth coming from an increase in Hispanic residents to 20,770 and a shrinkage in the number of whites to 58,826.

There were also more residents who identified themselves as "Asian"—4,098, up by 1,399 or 51 percent. Norwalk had slightly fewer black residents, with 12,187 African Americans living in the city in 2010, down 476 from 10 years before. The number of residents who told census takers that they are of two or more races increased from 3,591 in 2000 to 7,699 last year.

The number of Hispanics, who may be of various races, is up by 10,889—a 61 percent increase from the 12,966 who were counted in 2000.

Norwalk's overall population is up by 2,652. As of 2010, whites were 69 percent of the total (whites were 73.9 percent of the total in 2000); blacks, 14.2 percent; Asians, 4.8 percent; American Indians, Pacific Islanders and people counted as  "some other race" were 9.4 percent of the total. Those who said they were of two or more races were 2.8 percent of the city's population (that totals 100.2 percent because the percentage figures are rounded).

LOCAL CENSUS DATA

COUNTY, STATE DATA

Connecticut 2000

2,772,410       (-0.3%)

11,256 (+16.8%)

Across the state, population numbers increased by about 4.9 percent with 168,532 more people in Connecticut. The white population decreased while those among black, Hispanic and Asian populations increased in Fairfield County and the state.

Fairfield County is the largest county in Connecticut with 916,829 residents  — a growth of 3.9 percent since 2000.

Other top counties in terms of population, include Hartford, New Haven, New London and Litchfield. Of the state's most populated cities, Stamford is the fourth most populated with 122,643 people — a growth of 4.7 percent. The Fairfield County city is behind Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford and ahead of Waterbury. 

The data sets will likely have an impact on the state's redistricting of congressional and state legislative districts, taking into account population shifts since the 2000 Census. The official 2010 Census Redistricting Data Summary File can be used to redraw federal, state and local legislative districts under Public Law 94-171. Calls to Democrat and Republican members of the Legislative Management Committee were not immediately returned Wednesday.

Editor's note: Other Patch staff contributed to this story.