Western Connecticut County, CT

County

2024 Population

627,071

US Senator

Richard Blumenthal

Democratic Party

US Senator

Chris Murphy

Democratic Party

2024 Poverty Rate

7.46%

0.992% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$128,188

2.92% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$652,900

4.4% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

Population & Diversity

Western Connecticut County, CT is home to a population of 627k people, from which 88.4% are citizens.

As of 2024, 23.7% of Western Connecticut County, CT residents were born outside of the country (148k people).

In 2024, there were 6.27 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (367k people) in Western Connecticut County, CT than any other race or ethnicity. There were 58.6k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 51.8k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

88.4%

2024 Citizenship

88.6%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 88.4% of Western Connecticut County, CT residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Western Connecticut County, CT was 88.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Western Connecticut County, CT compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Western Connecticut County, CT

White (Non-Hispanic)
367k ± 1.76k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
58.6k ± 1.72k
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
51.8k ± 3.22k

20.5%

Hispanic Population

129k people

20.5% of the people in Western Connecticut County, CT are hispanic (129k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Western Connecticut County, CT as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Connecticut.

Most Common Origin

Jamaica
46,306 ± 5,249 people
India
39,834 ± 4,873 people
Dominican Republic
31,156 ± 4,315 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Connecticut was Jamaica, the natal country of 46,306 Connecticut residents, followed by India with 39,834 and Dominican Republic with 31,156.

Foreign-Born Population

23.7%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

148k people

23.6%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

146k people

As of 2024, 23.7% of Western Connecticut County, CT residents (148k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Western Connecticut County, CT was 23.6%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Western Connecticut County, CT compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
5,475 ± 510
Gulf War (2001-)
2,466 ± 377
Gulf War (1990s)
1,596 ± 316

Western Connecticut County, CT has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.22 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Western Connecticut County, CT.

Health

92.8% of the population of Western Connecticut County, CT has health coverage, with 54.9% on employee plans, 14% on Medicaid, 12.8% on Medicare, 10.8% on non-group plans, and 0.289% on military or VA plans.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

N/A to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in N/A

Primary care physicians in N/A see an average of N/A patients per year. This represents a N/A N/A from the previous year (N/A patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in N/A in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Location of Health Services Facilities

Health Service Type

Top 5 Health Facilities Servicing the Greatest Number of Addresses

Health Practice Name
12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4001
Health Practice Name
12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4002
Health Practice Name
12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4003
Health Practice Name
12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4004
Health Practice Name
12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4005

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.2% under 18 years, 18.7% between 18 and 34 years, 40.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.22%

Uninsured

54.9%

Employer Coverage

14%

Medicaid

12.8%

Medicare

10.8%

Non-Group

0.289%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Western Connecticut County, CT declined by 3.43% from 7.48% to 7.22%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Western Connecticut County, CT changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 6.77% in Western Connecticut County, CT.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Western Connecticut County, CT.

Economy

The economy of Western Connecticut County, CT employs 328k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Western Connecticut County, CT were Health Care & Social Assistance (42,664 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (39,440 people), and Finance & Insurance (33,362 people), and the highest paying industries were Finance & Insurance ($202,422), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($183,385), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($169,414).

Employment

Occupations

328k

2024 Value

± 4,947

1.28%

1 Year growth

± 2.06%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Western Connecticut County, CT grew at a rate of 1.28%, from 324k employees to 328k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Western Connecticut County, CT, are Management Occupations (53,349 people), Sales & Related Occupations (35,456 people), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (31,902 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Western Connecticut County, CT.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Connecticut.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Connecticut (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

328k

2024 Value

± 4,947

1.28%

1 Year growth

± 2.06%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Western Connecticut County, CT grew at a rate of 1.28%, from 324k employees to 328k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Western Connecticut County, CT, are Health Care & Social Assistance (42,664 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (39,440 people), and Finance & Insurance (33,362 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Western Connecticut County, CT, though some of these residents may live in Western Connecticut County, CT and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$79,541

Median earning men ± $1,688

$55,524

Median earning women ± $1,797

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($234,159), Information ($119,479), and Public Administration ($107,396).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($123,615), Wholesale Trade ($113,487), and Manufacturing ($85,969).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Connecticut.

Y-Axis

1.78%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.67M people employed in Connecticut. This represents a 1.78% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 17.2%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Connecticut.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,874
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
1,207
Other Services (except Public Administration)
1,137
Construction

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$8.81M
Finance and Insurance
$4.25M
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
$2.93M
Health Care and Social Assistance

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Education

The student population of Western Connecticut County, CT in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 3,282 male students and 3,422 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Western Connecticut County, CT are White (595 and 58.8%), Hispanic or Latino (243 and 24%), Black or African American (67 and 6.62%), and Asian (47 and 4.64%).

The largest universities in Western Connecticut County, CT by number of degrees awarded are Western Connecticut State University (945 and 93.4%) and TIGI Hairdressing Academy Newtown (67 and 6.62%).

The most popular majors in Western Connecticut Planning Region, CT are General Psychology (78 and 7.71%), Registered Nursing (69 and 6.82%), and Criminal Justice - Police Science (69 and 6.82%).

The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $12,004 for in-state students and $25,088 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Western Connecticut County, CT, the percentage of applicants admitted was 84.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 12.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 6,704 (49% men and 51% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 6,704 students enrolled in Western Connecticut County, CT, 49% men and 51% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,707 records, of which 49.1% were women and 50.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
78 degrees awarded
Criminal Justice - Police Science
69 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
69 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Western Connecticut Planning Region, CT was General Psychology with 78 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Western Connecticut Planning Region, CT according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Western Connecticut State University
945 degrees awarded
TIGI Hairdressing Academy Newtown
67 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Western Connecticut State University with 945 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 417 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Western Connecticut County, CT, which is 0.701 times less than the 595 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 595 degrees mean that there were 2.45 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 243 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($12,004) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($3,772) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,145) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Western Connecticut County, CT was $652,900 in 2024, which is 1.96 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $625,400 to $652,900, a 4.4% increase. The homeownership rate in Western Connecticut County, CT is 66.4%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Western Connecticut County, CT have an average commute time of 30.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Western Connecticut County, CT is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 19.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Western Connecticut County, CT. From 2025 to 2025, the indicator grew 0%.

Housing

Property

$652,900

Median Property Value 2024

±$8,528

$156,319

Median Property Taxes

±$2,448

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Western Connecticut County, CT the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Western Connecticut County, CT compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

66.4%

Homeownership

2024

62.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 66.4% of the housing units in Western Connecticut County, CT were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 66.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Western Connecticut County, CT compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$128,188

Median Household Income

± $2,370

235k

Number of Households

± 3,900

In 2024, the median household income of the 235k households in Western Connecticut County, CT grew to $128,188 from the previous year's value of $124,553.

The following chart displays the households in Western Connecticut County, CT distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Western Connecticut County, CT is from Connecticut.

0.495

2024 Wage GINI in Connecticut

0.498

2023 Wage GINI in Connecticut

In 2024, the income inequality in Connecticut was 0.495 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.618% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Connecticut was higher than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Connecticut in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Connecticut across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (59.3%)
Worked At Home (21.5%)
Carpooled (8.11%)

In 2024, 59.3% of workers in Western Connecticut County, CT drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (21.5%) and those who carpooled to work (8.11%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

30.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Western Connecticut County, CT have a longer commute time (30.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 6.07% of the workforce in Western Connecticut County, CT have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Western Connecticut County, CT compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Western Connecticut County, CT distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Western Connecticut County, CT have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 19.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Western Connecticut County, CT.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

7.46% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Western Connecticut County, CT (46.2k out of 620k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Western Connecticut County, CT is Hispanic, followed by White and Other.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 9.1% of the children was living in poverty in Western Connecticut County, CT.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798, followed by New York (5,087).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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