New Rochelle, New York

New Rochelle is a city located in Westchester County in the US state of New York. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 72,182. A July 1, 2002 Census estimate put the city's population at 72,472. The city is named after the city of La Rochelle in France that was a stronghold of the Huguenots.

History

New Rochelle's history begins with the purchase by Thomas Pell of the Pelham Manor tract, of which the city would become part, from the Siwanoy Indians in 1654.

In 1689, thousands of Huguenots - French Protestants who left France following the revocation by Louis XIV of the Edict of Nantes, which had protected them from religious persecution - began settling the area. Their new home was named after La Rochelle, the port from which they had departed France. There is a monument in Hudson Park which commemorates all the names of these Huguenot settlers.

Through the 18th century, New Rochelle, with a 1790 population of 692 residents, remained a modest village. It retained an abundance of agricultural land, 300 acres (1.2 km²) of which was awarded in 1784 to the patriot Thomas Paine by New York State for his service to the cause of independence. He wrote his pamphlet Common Sense while residing there.

Geography

The City of New Rochelle is on the Long Island Sound. It is the second largest city in Westchester County, after Yonkers.

New Rochelle is located at 40°55'43" North, 73°47'3" West (40.928584, -73.784230).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.3 km² (13.2 mi²). 26.8 km² (10.4 mi²) of it is land and 7.5 km² (2.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 21.77% water. The city has a rough triangle shape, approximately 10 miles from north to south and 1.5 miles from east to west at its widest point.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 72,182 people, 26,189 households, and 17,546 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,692.7/km² (6,973.5/mi²). There are 26,995 housing units at an average density of 1,007.0/km² (2,608.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 67.89% White, 19.18% African American, 0.20% Native American, 3.23% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.28% from other races, and 3.17% from two or more races. 20.08% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 26,189 households out of which 32.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% are married couples living together, 12.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% are non-families. 28.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.68 and the average family size is 3.29.

In the city the population is spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $55,513, and the median income for a family is $72,723. Males have a median income of $50,187 versus $38,527 for females. The per capita income for the city is $31,956. 10.5% of the population and 7.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.1% of those under the age of 18 and 10.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Additional facts about New Rochelle

New Rochelle is the birthplace of singer Don McLean. Parts of the film Catch Me If You Can take place in New Rochelle. The city is also the home of Iona College and the College of New Rochelle.

The Broadway show Ragtime is set in New Rochelle.

The early 1960's TV hit The Dick Van Dyke Show starring Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore was set in New Rochelle.

The Broadway show (and George M. Cohan song) "45 Minutes from Broadway" was about life in New Rochelle in the late 1890's.

The city has a railroad station served by Metro North and Amtrak.

External links

• New Rochelle official website