New Rochelle (French: Nouvelle-Rochelle ) is a city in the southeast portion of the U.S. state of New York in Westchester County. It is from Grand Central Terminal in New York City and north of the NYC border (Pelham Bay Park in The Bronx). It lies on the Long Island Sound just east of Pelham & Pelham Manor and west of Larchmont & The Town of Mamaroneck . The northern sections of the city lie between Eastchester to the west and Scarsdale to the east. Settled by refugee Huguenots (French Protestants) in 1688 who were fleeing tyrannical Catholic pogroms in France. Many of the settlers were artisans and craftsmen from the city of La Rochelle France, thus influencing the name of choice of "New Rochelle." New Rochelle was established as a village in 1857. It became a city only 40 years later. The era of suburban living began in the late 1800's when the New York & New Haven Railroad opened a line with a stop in New Rochelle. It was during this period that the city became famous as a summer resort. New Rochelle soon became one of the first 'bedroom communities' in the nation, with most residents traveling daily to New York City for work, and back home to the suburbs to sleep. In 2000, the city had a population of 72,182. It is the second-largest city in Westchester County and the seventh-largest city in the state of New York. It has clearly defined and substantial residential neighborhoods, a harmonious ethnic diversity, strong religious and educational institutions, a progressive council-manager form of government, great physical beauty and a unique place in American history.