Connecticut Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained, Population Review

Population & Growth

Connecticut's 3,598,348 residents make it the 29th-most populous US state. Over the long term, the state has been gaining population — +229.7% from 1910 to 2024.

Population density: 743 people per square mile. By comparison, the US national average is roughly 94/sq mi, while New Jersey leads with ~1,260/sq mi and Alaska is the lowest at ~1.3/sq mi.

Race & Ethnicity

By Census ACS classification, Connecticut is:

67.6% White (alone)
10.7% Black or African American
0.0% Asian
1.2% Hispanic or Latino (any race)
0.0% two or more races

Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals can exceed 100% in some breakdowns. The full racial composition (including Native Hawaiian, American Indian, etc.) is available on the Connecticut state page.

Income & Economy

Median household income in Connecticut is $93,760, with per-capita income at $54,409. 6.8% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Unemployment rate: 3.7%.

Income is concentrated in metro counties — see the county-level rankings on the cities ranking page and counties ranking page for sub-state variation.

Age & Households

Median age in Connecticut: 41.2 years (US median ~39). The population is 49.1% male and 50.9% female. Connecticut skews older than the US median, often a sign of out-migration of younger residents or high retiree population.

Largest Cities in Connecticut

Bridgeport city — population 148,012
Stamford city — population 135,806
New Haven city — population 132,893
Hartford city — population 119,970
Waterbury city — population 114,356

Largest Counties in Connecticut

Capitol Planning Region — population 969,029
Western Connecticut Planning Region — population 621,232
South Central Connecticut Planning Region — population 566,803
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region — population 452,303
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region — population 326,296

How Connecticut Compares Nationally

By population: ranked 29th of 50 states. By median household income: see the richest states ranking. By population growth: see fastest growing states. By cost of living: see cheapest states to live.

See the complete Connecticut state page with full demographic breakdown, age pyramid, languages, education, housing, and commute data →

Frequently Asked Questions

Connecticut has a population of 3,598,348 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, ranking 29th among the 50 states. Population density is 743 people per square mile.

Connecticut is gaining population, with a +229.7% change since 1910 (1,114,756 → 3,598,348). This is reported via Census ACS rolling 5-year estimates; for monthly/annual estimates between Census years, see the Census Population Estimates Program.

67.6% of Connecticut's population identifies as White, 10.7% as Black or African American, 0.0% as Asian, and 1.2% as Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100%.

Median household income in Connecticut is $93,760 per the 2023 ACS. Per-capita income: $54,409. 6.8% of residents live below the federal poverty line.

The median age in Connecticut is 41.2 years. The population is 49.1% male and 50.9% female. Age distribution and population pyramids by 5-year age bands are visible on the Connecticut state page.

The largest cities in Connecticut by population: Bridgeport city (148,012), Stamford city (135,806), New Haven city (132,893), Hartford city (119,970), Waterbury city (114,356).

California is the most populous US state at roughly 39 million, followed by Texas (~30M), Florida (~22M), New York (~20M), and Pennsylvania (~13M). Connecticut ranks 29th. Detailed rankings update each ACS release cycle.

Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Connecticut's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.

All demographic data on this page comes from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, currently the 2023 release. Historical population figures use Census Population Estimates Program annual estimates. Data is public domain and freely available at census.gov.