With a population of over 129,000 as of the 2020 census, Stamford is the second largest city in Connecticut after Bridgeport. Founded in 1641, Stamford has a long and storied history as one of the state’s most prominent cities. Today, Stamford is a major corporate and business hub that attracts residents and visitors alike with its small town New England charm, urban amenities, and proximity to New York City.
History
Stamford was founded in 1641 by a group of settlers from Wethersfield, making it one of the oldest communities in Connecticut. The city is named after the town of Stamford in Lincolnshire, England. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Stamford was an agricultural community known for livestock farming and salt production from the Long Island Sound. Shipbuilding also became an important early industry.
During the Revolutionary War, several key battles were fought in Stamford including the Battle of Stamford in 1781. The city experienced manufacturing and industrial growth in the 19th century. Major companies like Yale & Towne, Hoyt-Stamford, and Pitney Bowes were founded and became large employers. Today, Stamford’s economy is heavily based on the financial, corporate, and retail sectors.
Geography and Climate
Stamford is located in Fairfield County in southwest Connecticut, approximately 35 miles northeast of New York City. It borders the Long Island Sound to the south and the state of New York to the north and west. Stamford covers 52.1 square miles of land on Connecticut’s Gold Coast.
The city has a humid continental climate, with mild to warm summers and cold winters. Stamford experiences all four seasons distinctly, with average highs in the summer around 81°F and average highs in the winter around 38°F.
Demographics
As per the 2020 census, Stamford has a population of 129,042 people. It is ethnically diverse, with 61.1% White, 12.5% Black or African American, 6.6% Asian, and 29.8% Hispanic or Latino residents. Over 30% of the population was born outside the United States. There are over 55,000 households in the city and an average household size of 2.43 people.
Economy and Major Employers
Stamford has a thriving, robust economy centered around finance, insurance, real estate, retail, healthcare, and professional services. Many major corporations are headquartered in Stamford including Charter Communications, Synchrony Financial, WWE, Comcast, Pitney Bowes, and Henkel.
UBS, RBS, and Bank of America all have large office complexes in Stamford. Other top employers include Stamford Hospital, Purdue Pharma, Nestle Waters, NBC Sports, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and the State of Connecticut.
Stamford enjoys a strong labor force, high median incomes, and steady economic growth. The finance, insurance, scientific, management, administrative, retail, and healthcare sectors employ the bulk of Stamford’s workers.
Parks and Recreation
Stamford has over 800 acres of parkland and open space that provide plenty of options for outdoor recreation. Popular parks include:
- Cummings Park – a 50-acre park with athletic fields, hiking trails, playgrounds, and a beach
- Jackie Robinson Park – baseball fields, basketball courts, and picnic areas
- Scalzi Park – a popular dog park and playground
- Cove Island Park – a peninsula park with walking trails, fishing spots, and a marina
The crown jewel of Stamford’s park system is the beautiful 834-acre Stamford Museum & Nature Center. The grounds feature hiking trails, gardens, a farm, and an observatory.
Arts and Culture
Stamford has a flourishing arts and cultural scene. The Stamford Palace Theatre is an iconic local performance venue dating back to 1927. The Stamford Symphony Orchestra performs classical concerts at the Palace Theatre. Drama and musicals are put on by the Curtain Call Community Theater.
The city’s main art museum is the Stamford Art Association, showcasing emerging and established contemporary artists. Stamford also has an impressive collection of outdoor sculptures and art installations on display throughout downtown and in parks.
Popular annual cultural events include the Alive@Five summer concert series, the Stamford Art Festival, the Stamford Oyster Festival, and the Stamford St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Colleges and Universities
Stamford is home to a campus of the University of Connecticut, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs to over 1,300 students.
Other schools with a presence in Stamford include the Fairfield University Dolan School of Business, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Sacred Heart University, and Norwalk Community College.
Sports
Although Stamford does not have any major professional sports teams, sports are still a big part of the local culture. College football is popular, and the city rallies behind the UConn Huskies. Stamford also has several minor league and amateur teams.
The Stamford Bridge Football Club and AC Connecticut play soccer at the local level. The Stamford Sharks baseball team is part of a collegiate summer league.
For participatory sports, residents make use of the city’s many parks, playgrounds, golf courses, pools, and ice rinks.
Tourism and Local Attractions
Stamford has plenty to see and do for visitors and residents alike. Downtown Stamford offers shopping, dining, art galleries, and nightlife. The harbor and beaches along Long Island Sound provide opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming.
Popular landmarks include the Bartlett Arboretum, the 9/11 sculpture “A Moment in Time”, the Branch House, and the Pt. of Interest Seaplane Lounge floating dock bar.
Family attractions like the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Maritime Aquarium, and Cradle of Aviation Museum provide plenty of kid-friendly activities. Special events like the Alive@Five concerts and food/art festivals keep the city lively in summer.
Transportation
Stamford is easily accessible by car, train, and bus. Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway (Route 15) run through Stamford, connecting it to New York City and other cities in Connecticut. Metro-North Railroad offers direct train service from Stamford to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.
Within the city, bus service is provided by the Stamford Transit System. Taxis and rideshares are also readily available. Stamford’s downtown is compact and walkable.
For air travel, residents can access JFK International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Sikorsky Memorial Airport, and Westchester County Airport conveniently via car, bus or train.
Moving to Stamford
With its small town charm, big city amenities, diverse population, and vibrant economy, it’s no wonder Stamford is such an attractive place to live and work. The historic downtown, pretty harborfront, quality schools, exciting events, and proximity to NYC make Stamford a great place to call home.