Armonk, New York
Encyclopedia
Armonk is a hamlet and census-designated place
(CDP) located in the town of North Castle
in Westchester County, New York
. As of the 2010 census, the CDP population was 4,330.
Armonk is home to the global headquarters of information technology company IBM
and bond insurer
MBIA, and the Americas headquarters of reinsurer
Swiss Re
.
The Smith Tavern
, a historical site and landmark of the Revolutionary War, is located in Armonk and is the home of the North Castle Historical Society. The North Castle Public Library, a member of the Westchester Library System
, is also located in Armonk. Whippoorwill Country Club is located in Armonk and is one of Westchester's best courses.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²), of which 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.65%) is water.
, and 1.24% from two or more races. 3.76% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,172 households out of which 44.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.7% are married couples living together, 7.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 15.1% are non-families. 13.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.95 and the average family size is 3.23.
In the CDP the population is spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP is $108,508, and the median income for a family is $122,066. Males have a median income of $86,779 versus $50,179 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $64,157. 1.3% of the population and 0.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 0.0% of those under the age of 18 and 3.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
, Mount Pleasant
, and Bedford
. All of the schools in the district are located in Armonk. The district has one secondary school, Byram Hills High School
(9–12), one middle school, H. C. Crittenden Middle School (6–8), and two primary schools, Wampus Elementary School (3–5) and Coman Hill Elementary School (K-2). Before 2002, grade 5 was in Crittenden, grades 3 and 4 were in Coman Hill, and grades K through 2 were in Wampus.
At the 2006 National Academic Championship, Byram Hills placed first.
H.C. Crittenden is the winner of the National Blue Ribbon Award which is the No Child Left Behind award, given to only .002% of schools nationwide.
Athletics at the high school have seen the greatest success in the soccer and track teams. In 2006, the soccer team finished second in the NYS tournament for Class A. The team is coached by Matthew Allen, led by all American captain Hayden Morris (2007), captain Josh Lewis (2007) and captain Matthew Poulton (2007). In 2007, the team grabbed the first team state championship in school history. They were led by All-American, Gatorade Player of the Year for New York State, captain William Ogden (2008), and captain William Shaheen (2009).
The Byram Hills Track Team, coached by former NCAA All-American Greg Govan, and led by All-American's Max Kasak (2007), John Granata (2007), Nicholas Fasano (2008), and Philip Cawkwell (2007), has also achieved great success. In the fall of 2006, the team finished second among class B teams at the cross country state meet. In the 2006–2007 indoor season, they finished 5th at the nike indoor national meet in the 4x800 relay. In the spring 2007 season, they set section one records in the 4x1600 relay and the distance medley relay. They placed third at the Nike Outdoor National meet, while Philip Cawkwell finished second individually in the 2000m steeplechase. With 18 All New York State honors and 13 All America honors in the past two years alone, the Byram Hills Track Team has established itself as one of the top teams in the Northeast.
Fordham University
's Louis Calder Center is a biological field station established in 1967 for ecological research and environmental education. The Calder Center consists of 113 acre (0.45729518 km²) of forest, with opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to gain hands-on skills in field biology and environmental studies. The Calder Center is one of the few field stations in North America with relatively undisturbed natural communities near a large urban center.
IBM
has its world headquarters in Armonk. In addition M. E. Sharpe
also has its headquarters in Armonk.
In addition, the Armonk chapter of the Lions Club sponsors a Fol-De-Rol, held during either the first or second weekend in June. The three day event takes place in Wampus Brook Park and by Wampus Elementary School. It is very similar to a country fair in that it draws local businesses and artisans to come set up tents and sell their merchandise. In addition, local restaurants set up tents to sell food and there are rides and midway games for children. Also, local student and professional music groups play in the gazebo to entertain the crowds.
Furthermore, Armonk also holds a community-wide Relay For Life
during the first weekend in May. This event is sponsored locally by the Byram Hills chapter of Youth Against Cancer (commonly referred to as YAC).
The latest Armonk tradition is Frosty Day. A parade goes down Main Street, onto Bedford Avenue, past the “Village Square” mentioned in the song, "Frosty the Snowman", to Wampus Brook Park for a gala holiday lighting ceremony. After the holiday lighting, the activities continue with the Winter Walk through town.
The lyricist of the winter holiday classic, Steve Nelson, was a frequent visitor to Armonk after World War II from his home in nearby White Plains, NY. In 1950, he wrote the song’s lyrics which he put to Jack Rollins’ music; it was the same year that he was looking for land in Armonk on which to build his new home. Gene Autry recorded the song that year, making it an instant classic, following his earlier one of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
purchased the long-standing Schultz's Cider Mill just south of Main Street, only to have it razed and in its place construct a premium gated townhouse and family home community (named "Cider Mill"). As a result, the population of Armonk increased significantly, but caused the public schools to become overcrowded and push forth a series of expensive school expansion projects that significantly raised property taxes.
Much of the new construction was pinned on the connections that former Town Supervisor John Lombardi had with the areas' construction and development companies. In 2005, after over 40 years in office, Lombardi was ousted in the election by political newcomer Reese Berman. A former librarian at the town's middle school, Berman's campaign promise was to put a moratorium on new residential construction to be enacted during her term in office. As of Berman's election, no new purely residential projects have broken ground in Armonk. A new community; Cidermill was added in 2007–2008.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) located in the town of North Castle
North Castle, New York
North Castle is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 11,841 at the 2010 census. It has no villages.-Geography:...
in Westchester County, New York
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
. As of the 2010 census, the CDP population was 4,330.
Armonk is home to the global headquarters of information technology company IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
and bond insurer
Bond insurance
Bond insurance is a type of insurance whereby an insurance company guarantees scheduled payments of interest and principal on a bond or other security in the event of a payment default by the issuer of the bond or security...
MBIA, and the Americas headquarters of reinsurer
Reinsurance
Reinsurance is insurance that is purchased by an insurance company from another insurance company as a means of risk management...
Swiss Re
Swiss Re
Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd , generally known as Swiss Re, is a Swiss reinsurance company. It is the world’s second-largest reinsurer, after having acquired GE Insurance Solutions. The company has its headquarters in Zurich...
.
The Smith Tavern
Smith Tavern
The former Smith Tavern is located on Bedford Road in the hamlet of Armonk, New York, United States. It is a red frame building dating to the late 18th century, one of the few left in a region that has rapidly suburbanized over the past century...
, a historical site and landmark of the Revolutionary War, is located in Armonk and is the home of the North Castle Historical Society. The North Castle Public Library, a member of the Westchester Library System
Westchester Library System
The Westchester Library System is the library system for the citizens of Westchester County, New York. It was established in 1958. The system is made up of 38 libraries across the county and its headquarters are located in the Town of Greenburgh, near Tarrytown.- About :The Westchester Library...
, is also located in Armonk. Whippoorwill Country Club is located in Armonk and is one of Westchester's best courses.
Geography
Armonk is located at 41°7′43"N 73°42′28"W (41.128631, −73.707886).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²), of which 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.65%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 3,461 people, 1,172 households, and 995 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 568.9 per square mile (219.8/km²). There are 1,204 housing units at an average density of 197.9/sq mi (76.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP is 93.53% White, 0.61% African American, 0.06% Native American, 4.16% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other racesRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.24% from two or more races. 3.76% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,172 households out of which 44.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.7% are married couples living together, 7.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 15.1% are non-families. 13.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.95 and the average family size is 3.23.
In the CDP the population is spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP is $108,508, and the median income for a family is $122,066. Males have a median income of $86,779 versus $50,179 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $64,157. 1.3% of the population and 0.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 0.0% of those under the age of 18 and 3.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Education
The Byram Hills Central School District serves North Castle, New CastleNew Castle, New York
New Castle is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 17,569 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 1.15%, is water. New Castle is bordered by the towns of Mount Pleasant...
, Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, New York
Mount Pleasant is a town in Westchester County, New York, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 43,724.-Geography:...
, and Bedford
Bedford (town), New York
Bedford is a town in Westchester County, New York, USA. The population was 17,335 at the 2010 census.The Town of Bedford is located in the northeastern part of Westchester County, and contains the three hamlets of Bedford Hills, Bedford Village, and Katonah...
. All of the schools in the district are located in Armonk. The district has one secondary school, Byram Hills High School
Byram Hills High School
Byram Hills High School is a four-year co-educational public secondary school located in Armonk, New York. Its principal is Mr. Chris Borsari and its vice principals are Chris Walsh and Ken Cotrone. It is the only secondary school within the Byram Hills Central School District and serves...
(9–12), one middle school, H. C. Crittenden Middle School (6–8), and two primary schools, Wampus Elementary School (3–5) and Coman Hill Elementary School (K-2). Before 2002, grade 5 was in Crittenden, grades 3 and 4 were in Coman Hill, and grades K through 2 were in Wampus.
At the 2006 National Academic Championship, Byram Hills placed first.
H.C. Crittenden is the winner of the National Blue Ribbon Award which is the No Child Left Behind award, given to only .002% of schools nationwide.
Athletics at the high school have seen the greatest success in the soccer and track teams. In 2006, the soccer team finished second in the NYS tournament for Class A. The team is coached by Matthew Allen, led by all American captain Hayden Morris (2007), captain Josh Lewis (2007) and captain Matthew Poulton (2007). In 2007, the team grabbed the first team state championship in school history. They were led by All-American, Gatorade Player of the Year for New York State, captain William Ogden (2008), and captain William Shaheen (2009).
The Byram Hills Track Team, coached by former NCAA All-American Greg Govan, and led by All-American's Max Kasak (2007), John Granata (2007), Nicholas Fasano (2008), and Philip Cawkwell (2007), has also achieved great success. In the fall of 2006, the team finished second among class B teams at the cross country state meet. In the 2006–2007 indoor season, they finished 5th at the nike indoor national meet in the 4x800 relay. In the spring 2007 season, they set section one records in the 4x1600 relay and the distance medley relay. They placed third at the Nike Outdoor National meet, while Philip Cawkwell finished second individually in the 2000m steeplechase. With 18 All New York State honors and 13 All America honors in the past two years alone, the Byram Hills Track Team has established itself as one of the top teams in the Northeast.
Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
's Louis Calder Center is a biological field station established in 1967 for ecological research and environmental education. The Calder Center consists of 113 acre (0.45729518 km²) of forest, with opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to gain hands-on skills in field biology and environmental studies. The Calder Center is one of the few field stations in North America with relatively undisturbed natural communities near a large urban center.
Economy
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
has its world headquarters in Armonk. In addition M. E. Sharpe
M. E. Sharpe
M.E. Sharpe, Inc. is an academic publisher that was founded in 1958. Its headquarters are in Armonk, Town of North Castle, New York. It is a privately held publisher of books and journals in the social sciences and humanities.- Books :M. E...
also has its headquarters in Armonk.
Annual events
Armonk plays host to several events that take place annually. Most notably is the Armonk Outdoor Art Show, a fine art and fine crafts juried show sponsored by Friends of the North Castle Public Library, where nearly two hundred artists working in various media gather in IBM Park to show and sell their work to patrons. The event draws a big crowd every year and involves many members of the local community as volunteers. The proceeds from this show and the Art After Dark Preview Party fund raiser held prior to the opening benefit the North Castle Public Library and its Whippoorwill Hall performance auditorium. The Friends also sponsors the Armonk Players, a community theater group that stages two full productions and several readings each year at Whippoorwill Hall to benefit the library.In addition, the Armonk chapter of the Lions Club sponsors a Fol-De-Rol, held during either the first or second weekend in June. The three day event takes place in Wampus Brook Park and by Wampus Elementary School. It is very similar to a country fair in that it draws local businesses and artisans to come set up tents and sell their merchandise. In addition, local restaurants set up tents to sell food and there are rides and midway games for children. Also, local student and professional music groups play in the gazebo to entertain the crowds.
Furthermore, Armonk also holds a community-wide Relay For Life
Relay For Life
Relay For Life is the main volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Originating in the United States, the Relay For Life event has spread to 21 countries. Relay events are held in local communities, campus universities, military bases, and in cyberspace...
during the first weekend in May. This event is sponsored locally by the Byram Hills chapter of Youth Against Cancer (commonly referred to as YAC).
The latest Armonk tradition is Frosty Day. A parade goes down Main Street, onto Bedford Avenue, past the “Village Square” mentioned in the song, "Frosty the Snowman", to Wampus Brook Park for a gala holiday lighting ceremony. After the holiday lighting, the activities continue with the Winter Walk through town.
The lyricist of the winter holiday classic, Steve Nelson, was a frequent visitor to Armonk after World War II from his home in nearby White Plains, NY. In 1950, he wrote the song’s lyrics which he put to Jack Rollins’ music; it was the same year that he was looking for land in Armonk on which to build his new home. Gene Autry recorded the song that year, making it an instant classic, following his earlier one of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Housing boom and construction
Armonk experienced a surge in new housing construction and development beginning in the late 1990s. New condominiums, townhomes, and larger single-family homes were constructed primarily north of the Armonk Business District and just to the west. Armonk real estate prices have increased substantially since the late 1990s, having peaked in the mid-2000s, and never returning to their pre-2000s rates despite the subprime mortgage crisis. The new construction projects and increased housing costs have solidified Armonk's newly established reputation as an affluent town, with the residents' profile moving away from the middle-working class and towards a much wealthier upper middle class image. In the most recent construction project, Antares Real Estate of Greenwich, ConnecticutGreenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
purchased the long-standing Schultz's Cider Mill just south of Main Street, only to have it razed and in its place construct a premium gated townhouse and family home community (named "Cider Mill"). As a result, the population of Armonk increased significantly, but caused the public schools to become overcrowded and push forth a series of expensive school expansion projects that significantly raised property taxes.
Much of the new construction was pinned on the connections that former Town Supervisor John Lombardi had with the areas' construction and development companies. In 2005, after over 40 years in office, Lombardi was ousted in the election by political newcomer Reese Berman. A former librarian at the town's middle school, Berman's campaign promise was to put a moratorium on new residential construction to be enacted during her term in office. As of Berman's election, no new purely residential projects have broken ground in Armonk. A new community; Cidermill was added in 2007–2008.
Armonk Square
Armonk Square is a 3.5 acres (1.4 ha) lot in downtown Armonk with plans to build a new supermarket and a pedestrian mall off Main Street. In addition to adding new commercial property downtown, Armonk Square says the property will contain 10 second story apartments.Local businesses
Although Armonk is a small town, it is home to numerous shops, restaurants and salons. Some of these locations include, Armonk Vision, Tazza Cafe, The Moderne Barn, Restaurant North, Gavi, Mariachi Mexican, La Mer Seafood, The Beehive, Fire Pit Tavern, Cherry Blossom Farms, North Castle Spa Nails, Salon Bellezza, Rave Revues Hair Salon, Cherylyn North Salon, Salon Elle, Changes Salon, Amore Pizzeria, Fernandoes Pizzeria, Made in Asia, Kira Sushi, Nick's Corner Market, Beascakes Bakery, Ruthie'Z clothing boutique and True Grace, The Electronics Store, LaGravinese Jewelers, Susan Blake Jewelers, and Jolie B. Ray Jewelers.Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Armonk include:- Ernie AnastosErnie AnastosErnie Anastos is an American Emmy Award-winning New York City television news anchor. He was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, and has worked for several television stations in New York City during his career.-Career:...
, Emmy AwardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
-winning New York City television news anchor currently with WNYW-TV ("Fox 5") - Dave BarryDave BarryDavid "Dave" Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American author and columnist, who wrote a nationally syndicated humor column for The Miami Herald from 1983 to 2005. He has also written numerous books of humor and parody, as well as comedic novels.-Biography:Barry was born in Armonk, New York,...
, humorist, grew up in Armonk - David BoiesDavid BoiesDavid Boies is an American lawyer and chairman of the law firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner. He has been involved in various high-profile cases in the United States.-Early life and education:...
, attorney, represented Al GoreAl GoreAlbert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
in the Bush v. GoreBush v. GoreBush v. Gore, , is the landmark United States Supreme Court decision on December 12, 2000, that effectively resolved the 2000 presidential election in favor of George W. Bush. Only eight days earlier, the United States Supreme Court had unanimously decided the closely related case of Bush v...
election case, currently lives in Armonk - Laura BraniganLaura BraniganLaura Ann Branigan was an American singer-songwriter and actress of Italian and Irish ancestry. She is best known in the United States for her 1982 Platinum-certified hit "Gloria" and in Europe for the number-one single "Self Control"...
(1952–2004), Grammy-nominated musician, grew up in Armonk and was a Byram Hills HS graduate (1970) - Johnny DeppJohnny DeppJohn Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
, actor and musician, has a summer house in Armonk - Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
, actor, raised in Armonk - Tom KittTom Kitt (musician)Tom Kitt is an American composer, conductor, orchestrator and musician. For his score for the musical Next to Normal, he shared the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama with Brian Yorkey...
, Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of Next to Normal, was raised in Armonk - Ted NierenbergTed NierenbergTheodore David "Ted" Nierenberg was an American business executive and entrepreneur who created Dansk International Designs, a company that sells Scandinavian Design-style cooking and serving utensils and other home furnishings, established after discovering the simple but elegant design style on...
(1923–2009), founder of Dansk International DesignsDansk International DesignsDansk Designs was an American distributor and retailer of cookware, tableware, and other home accessories based in Mount Kisco, New York...
, created in the garage of his Great Neck home - Bernie WilliamsBernie WilliamsBernabé Williams Figueroa Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and Puerto Rican musician.-Early life:...
, New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
baseball player, resides in Armonk