Norwich is a city located in Chenango County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 7,355.
The City of Norwich is the county seat of Chenango County, New York. Norwich is located in the northern part of the Town of Norwich and is near the center of the county.
Lt. Warren Eaton Airport, serving the area, is located north of the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.3 km2 (2.0 mi2). None of the area is covered with water.
Norwich is located in picturesque upstate New York, nestled in the Chenango River valley. The river winds south along the eastern edge of the city. Along the western border, Canasawacta Creek flows south, until it unites with the Chenango River at the southern city limits. The streets are regularly laid out, many lined with shade trees. The many farms and forests in the surrounding valley give Norwich a unique and charming pastoral appeal. The city is bordered by hills to the east and west, providing beautiful views of the valley. During winter months, these rugged areas are home to winter sports enthusiasts because of the numerous hiking and cross country skiing trails. One of the most popular areas for all year round recreation is the Whaupaunaucau State Forest located in the village of North Norwich. During the autumn months, the tree covered hills are a haven for hunters and those seeking breathtaking views of fall foliage.
Regionally, Norwich lies almost dead center of the "upside down triangle" that can be drawn connecting the cities of Syracuse, Albany, and Binghamton, along Interstates 90, 88, and 81 respectively. The City is located in the center of this triangle, on the intersection between New York State Highway 12, and New York State Highway 23. State Highway 12 is often known simply as "Route 12", "State Route 12" (or SR12), or merely "12", and similar naming colloquial conventions with State Highway 23 are used. Norwich is positioned on Route 12 roughly between the larger cities of Utica, NY and access to Interstate 90 to the North, and Binghamton, NY (and the "Triple Cities") and access to Interstate 81 and Future Interstate 86 (currently New York State Highway 17, known as the Southern Tier Expressway) to the south. State Highway 23, which cuts laterally through the northern side of the city, leads westwards to the "college town" city of Oneonta NY and access to Interstate 88 and Eastward on 23 heads in the direction of Cortland, NY and Interstate 81.
Typically Route 12 is more important to the city and its citizens than 23, as it bisects the city on a north-south axis and becomes North and South Broad Street in the city limits--a location for the small community of downtown businesses. On the northside of town lies the North Plaza, which used to hold a Jamesway, and also has a commercial strip of gas stations and fast food, but has since become rather desolate after the departure of Jamesway and the lack of any equivalent store to come into the plaza. The south side of town has three Plazas, just outside city limits, featuring a Supermarkets, gas stations, and fastfood, and a recently upgraded Super Walmart. The southern commercial strip has become the dominant of the two due to the proximity of the Walmart that came in in the early 1990's.
Being slightly closer to Binghamton, Norwich residents and locals tend to have a somewhat stronger relationship with the Greater Binghamton Area than the Utica area.
As Norwich maintains a very small-town atmosphere, inhabitants usually travel to the larger nearby cities of Oneonta, Binghamton, Utica, sometimes Cortland, and occasionally the much larger Metropolitan areas of Syracuse and Albany for any goods and services that cannot be attained in Walmart, or the local supermarkets. Oneonta, being approximately twice the size of Norwich (and having a small mini mall and many more options in the way of food, stores, and college nightlife) is a major destination for citizens who don't wish to drive the slightly longer distance of going to Binghamton. The Utica and Binghamton Areas are the major destinations for residents doing serious shopping or looking for great variety in food, with the Binghamton area being the common preference.
The Greater Binghamton Area of the so-called "Triple Cities" of Binghamton, Johnson City, NY, and Endicott, NY, as well as the Village of Vestal known in the area for having a substantial commercial strip along the Vestal Parkway, offers most of the services, goods, cuisine and recreational opportunities that are unavailable in Norwich. The College town of Cortland is occasionally a destination due to the lack of medical specialists in the area, and to gain access to Interstate 81. Syracuse and Albany are also occasional, but common, destinations as both of these larger New York cities have large universities, extensive hospital services and the malls and recreational facilities that far surpass those of any of the nearer locations.
As of the census of 2000, there are 7,355 people, 3,131 households, and 1,671 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,392.0/km2 (3,609.0/mi2). There are 3,500 housing units at an average density of 662.4/km2 (1,717.4/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 96.48% White, 1.39% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,131 households out of which 28.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% are married couples living together, 13.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 46.6% are non-families. 40.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 19.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.19 and the average family size is 2.95.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 78.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 75.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $28,485, and the median income for a family is $39,808. Males have a median income of $33,537 versus $24,430 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,339. 18.7% of the population and 14.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 28.5% of those under the age of 18 and 9.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Norwich became an incorporated village in 1816. The city was established in 1914.
Source:
NorwichNewYork.com
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