A founding settler of Old Greenwich was Elizabeth Fones, who was the niece and daughter-in-law of Governor John Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the founder of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. What is now known as Greenwich Point was known for most of its early history as "Elizabeth Neck," in honor of Elizabeth (Fones) Feake Hallet, who purchased the Point and much of the land that is now known as Old Greenwich in 1640 and was known as "Elizabeth Neck." 

In the area, the Old Greenwich Railroad Station, formerly known as the "Sound Beach Railroad Station," was constructed in 1894 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. It serves commuters from all over the city. It is located on a long, narrow peninsula at the southwest end of the neighborhood, which is home to the town's biggest beach. Tod's Point, the town's local beach, was named after a previous inhabitant who lived there. The beach is currently public property, and it is owned by the municipality of Greenwich, according to the town's website. Residents may buy a beach pass that is valid for the whole season. In order to enter the park for a single day, non-residents must buy a ticket for $7 per person and $35 per car. Sledding at Innis Arden, a nearby golf club, is a favorite winter activity for children in Old Greenwich and the adjacent town of Stamford during the "off season."

In the nineteenth century, Old Greenwich was known as "Sound Beach," and Sound Beach Avenue serves as the primary thoroughfare through the tiny downtown commercial district.

Electrolux operated a vacuum manufacturing plant on Forest Avenue, just across the street from the "ECCman Center," in the 1950s and 1960s, giving Old Greenwich a strong industrial presence (now Greenwich Civic Center). The Civic Center also included a beautiful wetland where local children could collect cattails and look for frogs and turtles, among other things.

The town of Greenwich is governed by a single political entity, known as the Representative Town Meeting (RTM). Several different areas, each with its own postal address and ZIP code, are found inside Greenwich main. These include Byram and Cos Cob; Glenville; Mianus; Riverside; and Greenwich itself (downtown Greenwich). A large portion of the original "well-to-do" population resided in "The Back Country" (north of the Merritt Parkway) or in the exclusive Belle Haven neighborhood on the waterfront, respectively. The town was established in 1641 on the site.

Geography

A total area of 3.48 mi2 (9.01 km2) is covered by Old Greenwich, according to the United States Census Bureau. Of this, 2.00 mi2 (5.17 km2) is covered by land and 1.48 mi2 (3.84 km2), or 0.78 percent, is covered by water.

Wealth

Residents of Old Greenwich are typically well-to-do, placing the neighborhood among the top 15 percent of income areas in the United States.

Six years ago, the median household income was $233,519 and the per capita income was $104,542, according to the Census Bureau. In 2018, the average family income was $336,692 dollars.