Sharp Rally From 1940 To 1945 After Decline Previous Five Years
Norwood’s population has gone up 5.7 percent during the past ten years, according to the 1945 state census of cities and towns in Massachusetts* it was revealed yesterday.
Norwood’s population of 15,574 in 1935, jumped to 16,508 in 1945, an increase of 934. However, Norwood’s gain during the 1940-1945 period was 1,125. Since Norwood’s population had declined from 1935 to 1940, this is the best five-year increase for Norwood since 1915-1920 when the population increased 1,648 persons.
As impressive as these figures appear, some of Norwood’s neighbors show even healthier increases. For example, Westwood has had one of the most remarkable growths of any town in the state. A population of 2,537 in 1935, soared to 4,797 by last year, an increase of 89.5 percent, Westwood’s population gained during the last five years was 1,421.
Dedham, of which Norwood is an offspring and which is our keenest rival, has now surpassed us in population. In 1945, Dedham led Norwood in population by 151 inhabitants while in 1935, Norwood had a plurality of 203 Dedham’s population is now 16,659.
Walpole’s population showed an 12.7 percent increase during the past ten years, with a gain from 7,449 to 8,409. Canton’s increase
was only 3.5 percent with an increase of 199 inhabitants. Canton’s 1945 population was 6,704.
A look at the 1945 state census indicates a general movement from congested cities into suburban areas like Norwood, while the Boston Metropolitan area of 43 cities and towns was gaining 44,430, the city of Boston itself was losing 51,327.