Waveny Park
Source: ACS Data, U.S. Census Bureau via Census Reporter, 2022
The population is moderately small and moderately sparse
Population Size
6,863
people
Land Area
1.5
square miles
Population Density
4,430
people per square mile
New Canaan was incorporated in the early 19th century from parts of the towns of neighboring Norwalk and Stamford. The town was named after the Congregational Church of Canaan Parish, which was founded in the area 70 years earlier, and which in the early 20th century became the Congregational Church of New Canaan. Prior to English colonization in the 17th century, the indigenous inhabitants, the Siwanoy Native Americans, called the region "Rippowam", which in their Munsee language means "cliff of rocks."
Grupes Reservoir
Located 46 miles northeast of Midtown Manhattan
Standout Feature
The quaint and walkable downtown, filled with an eclectic mix of notable restaurants, high-end shops, and boutique salons, and serving in the warmer months as a community gathering and event space
New Canaan is a town located in southwestern Connecticut within Fairfield County. The town is co-terminus with the New Canaan Public Schools District. Commuter rail access to New York City is provided from New Canaan Station.
New Canaan is set amidst rolling hills and filled with rivers and ponds, providing the town an idyllic, nature-filled setting. Recreational opportunities abound at Waveny Park, a 130-acre open space dotted with woodlands, trails, and gardens that was once the country estate of one of the founders of the Texaco oil company, and is described as the town's "jewel in the crown." In addition to the bucolic surroundings, residents adore the top-tier schools, as well as the walkable downtown lined with boutique shops and restaurants.
Downtown New Canaan