Armonk, New York facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Armonk, New York
CDP
Top (L–R): IBM's corporate headquarters Middle (L–R): the Bedford Road Historic District buildings, where it connects the district Bottom (L–R): NY128 End Sign with a few cars
Location of Armonk, New York
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Westchester
Town	North Castle
Area
• Total	6.03 sq mi (15.61 km²)
• Land	5.93 sq mi (15.37 km²)
• Water	0.09 sq mi (0.24 km²)
Elevation	387 ft (118 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	4,495
• Density	757.50/sq mi (292.49/km²)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	10504
Area code(s)	914
FIPS code	36-02649
GNIS feature ID	0942567

Armonk is a small community in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is known as a "hamlet" and a "census-designated place" (CDP). This means it is a specific area that the government tracks for population and other information. The famous technology company IBM has its main offices here.

Geography and Climate in Armonk

As of 2010, Armonk had about 4,330 people living there. The total area of Armonk is about 15.7 square kilometers (6.03 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Armonk is located about 11 miles from the coast in southeastern New York. It shares a border with the state of Connecticut. The area has many hills and forests. The average height above sea level is 387 feet.

Armonk's Weather

Armonk has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has cold, wet winters with some snow. Summers are hot and humid. There is a lot of rain throughout the year. Winter months usually get more rain than summer months.

The amount of snow in winter can change a lot each year. Some years might only have a few inches. Other years could see more than 35 inches of snow. The average snowfall is about 28 inches. Winter storms often bring rain, snow, and wind.

Summer usually brings warm, stable weather. Temperatures can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit about 18 days each summer. Summer is fairly dry, with scattered thunderstorms. Sometimes, a rare tropical storm can happen in August or September. Spring and fall are in-between seasons with mild temperatures and moderate rain.

People of Armonk (Demographics)

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
2000	3,461	—
2020	4,495	—
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2000, there were 3,461 people living in Armonk. By 2020, the population had grown to 4,495 people.

Most people in Armonk are white (93.38 percent). Other groups include Asian (4.16 percent), African American (0.61 percent), and Native American (0.06 percent). About 3.76 percent of the population were Hispanic and Latino Americans.

Many households in Armonk have children under 18 living with them (44.5 percent). Most families are married couples living together (74.7 percent). The average household had about 2.95 people.

The population is spread out by age. About 29.8 percent are under 18 years old. About 11.8 percent are 65 years or older. The average age in Armonk was 39 years old.

In 2013, the average income for a household in Armonk was $159,530. For families, the average income was $189,163. Only a small number of people (1.3 percent) lived below the poverty line.

Education in Armonk

The Byram Hills Central School District serves Armonk and nearby towns. All the schools in this district are located in Armonk.

The district has:

Byram Hills High School (for students in grades 9–12)
H. C. Crittenden Middle School (for grades 6–8)
Wampus Elementary School (for grades 3–5)
Coman Hill Elementary School (for grades K–2)

Since 2015, St. Nersess Armenian Seminary has also been located in Armonk. This is a special school for religious studies.

Armonk's Economy

IBM headquarters entrance sign

IBM, a very large technology company, has its world headquarters in Armonk. This means their main offices are located here. Another company called M. E. Sharpe also has its headquarters in Armonk.

Swiss Re, one of the largest reinsurance companies in the world, has its U.S. headquarters in Armonk. They moved here in 1999 and expanded in 2004. More than 1,200 people work there. The site is 127 acres and overlooks Westchester County's Kensico Reservoir. The Indian technology company Wipro also has offices here.

Historic Sites in Armonk

Armonk has several important historical places.

The Smith Tavern is a historic site and landmark from the American Revolutionary War. It is now home to the North Castle Historical Society.
The Smith Tavern is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Bedford Road Historic District is also on the National Register.
The Witthoefft House was added to the National Register in 2011.
Near what is now Elide Plaza, there was once a small airport. The famous pilot Charles Lindbergh even landed his plane there.

Annual Events in Armonk

Armonk hosts many fun events each year.

Armonk Outdoor Art Show

The Armonk Outdoor Art Show is a popular event where about 200 artists show and sell their artwork. It is sponsored by the Friends of the North Castle Public Library. The money raised helps the North Castle Public Library and its Whippoorwill Hall.

Jamie's 5K Run For Love

One week before the Art Show, the Armonk Chamber of Commerce holds "Jamie's 5K Run For Love." This is a run/walk race. Money from this event also goes to the library, with some funds specifically for children's programs.

Armonk Players

The Friends of the Library also support the Armonk Players. This is a community theater group. They put on two full plays and several readings each year at Whippoorwill Hall.

Lions Club Fol-De-Rol

The Armonk chapter of the Lions Club sponsors a "Fol-De-Rol" event. This usually happens during the first or second weekend in June. It is a four-day event held in Wampus Brook Park and near Wampus Elementary School.

Local businesses and artists set up tents to sell their goods. Restaurants also sell food. There are rides and games for children. Local music groups play in the gazebo. A carnival with fair games and rides is set up on the athletic field outside Wampus school.

Relay For Life

Armonk also holds a community-wide Relay For Life event. This takes place during the first weekend in May. It is sponsored by the Byram Hills chapter of Youth Against Cancer.

Frosty Day

A special Armonk tradition is Frosty Day. A parade goes down Main Street and Bedford Road. It passes the "Village Square" mentioned in the song "Frosty the Snowman." The parade ends at Wampus Brook Park for a holiday lighting ceremony. Steve Nelson, who wrote the song's lyrics, often visited Armonk. He wrote the lyrics in 1950, the same year he was looking for land in Armonk to build his home.

Armonk's Growth and Construction

Armonk saw a lot of new homes being built starting in the late 1990s. New condos, townhouses, and large single-family homes were constructed. These were mostly built north and west of the main business area.

For example, the Thomas Wright Estates and Sands Mill Estates were built around 1990s and early 2000s. These areas have many large homes.

Rising Home Prices

Home prices in Armonk have gone up a lot since the late 1990s. They reached their highest point in the mid-2000s. Even after an economic downturn, prices did not go back to their earlier, lower rates. This new construction and higher housing costs have made it harder for some people to afford to live in Armonk.

One example of new construction was the "Cider Mill" project. A real estate company bought the old Schultz's Cider Mill. They tore it down and built a gated community with 27 townhouses and homes.

Impact on Schools

The increase in population from new construction caused the public schools to become crowded. This led to expensive school expansion projects. These projects, in turn, caused property taxes to go up significantly.

Businesses and Organizations

Armonk Square is a large development with shops, a banking center, offices, apartments, and a food market.

Other important places in Armonk include:

Whippoorwill Country Club
The North Castle Public Library, which is part of the Westchester Library System.

Notable People from Armonk

Many well-known people have lived in Armonk, including:

Ernie Anastos, a TV news anchor.
Dave Barry, a humorist.
John Berman, a CNN TV show host.
David Boies, a famous attorney.
Laura Branigan (1952–2004), a Grammy-nominated musician.
Eddie Cahill, an actor.
Johnny Depp, an actor and musician.
Peter Gallagher, an actor.
David Harbour, an actor from Stranger Things.
Reed Kessler, an Olympian in equestrian jumping.
Tom Kitt, a Tony Award– and Pulitzer Prize–winning composer.
Howard Stern, a radio host.
Tom Virtue, an actor.
Bernie Williams, a former New York Yankees baseball player.

Images for kids

IBM's corporate headquarters
Buildings of Bedford Road Historic District
NY128 End Sign
Location of Armonk, New York