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Westport, CT

Frequently asked questions

Westport, CT

Westport is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, along the Long Island Sound within Connecticut's Gold Coast. It is 48 miles (77 km) northeast of New York City. The town is part of the Western Connecticut Planning Region. Westport's public school system is ranked as the top public school district in Connecticut and the 17th best school district in the United States.

The earliest known inhabitants of the Westport area as identified through archaeological finds date back 7,500 years. Records from the first white settlers report the Pequot Indians living in the area which they called Machamux translated by the colonialists as beautiful land. Settlement by colonialists dates back to the five Bankside Farmers; whose families grew and prospered into a community that continued expanding. The settlers arrived in 1693, having followed cattle to the isolated area. The community had its ecclesiastical society, supported by independent civil and religious elements, enabling it to be independent from the Town of Fairfield. As the settlement expanded its name changed: it was briefly known as "Bankside" in 1693, officially named Green's Farm in 1732 in honor of Bankside Farmer John Green, and in 1835 incorporated as the Town of Westport.

During the Revolutionary War, on April 25, 1777, a British force of 1,850 under the command of the Royal Governor of the Province of New York, Major General William Tryon, landed on Compo Beach to destroy the Continental Army's military supplies in Danbury. Minutemen from Westport and the surrounding areas crouched hiding while Tryon's troops passed and then launched an offensive from their rear. A statue on Compo Beach commemorates this plan of attack with a crouching Minuteman facing away from the beach, looking onto what would have been the rear of the troops. A sign on Post Road East also commemorates this event.

According to a publication by the 2010 Census, Westport has a total area of 33.45 square miles (86.6 km²) of which 19.96 square miles (51.7 km²) (59.67%) is land with the remaining area of 13.49 square miles (34.9 km²) (40.20%) water. Westport is bordered by Norwalk on the west, Weston to the north, Wilton to the northwest, Fairfield to the east, and Long Island Sound to the south.

Health and wellness are paramount in Westport, with a range of facilities catering to residents' well-being. Sherwood Island State Park offers residents ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Westport Weston Family YMCA is a hub for fitness and community engagement, providing various programs for all ages. Bridgeport Hospital & Burn Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Orangetheory Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Start your day with a serene yoga session at Kaia Yoga. For a refreshing spa experience, visit A Balanced Body Massage and Spa or A Touch of Bliss Organic Spa. 

Top Sites in Westport, CT are The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Westport Museum for History and Culture, and Compo Beach.

Population: 27,470 (2023). ZIP code: 06880. Area codes: 203, 475. Elevation: 26 ft (8 m). Area: 33.45 sq mi (86.6 km²).

FAQs

Is Westport, CT expensive to live in?

Westport, Connecticut's cost of living is 77% higher than the national average. Westport's housing expenses are 199% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 33% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 13% higher than the national average. Westport has grocery prices that are 7% higher than the national average. Healthcare in Westport is 8% higher than the national average.

What are the demographics of Westport, CT?

With 27,470 people, Westport is the 40th most populated city in the state of Connecticut out of 169 cities. The largest Westport racial/ethnic groups are White (80.0%) followed by Hispanic (8.5%) and Asian (5.0%). In 2022, the median household income of Westport households was $242,868. Westport households made slightly more than Wilton households ($230,545) and Weston households ($220,754). However, 3.8% of Westport families live in poverty.

What county is Westport, CT?

Westport is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, along the Long Island Sound within Connecticut's Gold Coast. It is 48 miles (77 km) northeast of New York City. The town is part of the Western Connecticut Planning Region. Westport's public school system is ranked as the top public school district in Connecticut and 17th best school district in the United States.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Westport

CT Demographics

Payscale

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

Westport Museum for History and Culture

Compo Beach

Sherwood Island State Park

Westport Weston Family YMCA

Bridgeport Hospital & Burn Center

Orangetheory Fitness

Kaia Yoga

A Balanced Body Massage and Spa

A Touch of Bliss Organic Spa

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.