United States >> States >> Connecticut

Population and Demography of Connecticut

Connecticut is the southernmost state of the United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and the Long Island Sound to the south. 

Connecticut is the 29th most populous state in the United States and the third-smallest U.S. state by area. The total Land area is 4,849 sq. mi. (12,559 sq. km) and there is an average of 739 people for every square mile. This makes Connecticut the 4th most densely populated state in the US. As per the  United States Census Bureau, the population of Connecticut in 2020 was 3,605,944 (3.6 million)

Estimated Population of Connecticut in 2024: 3,617,176 or 3.6 million

Connecticut Population (2010-2020)

Connecticut has a population growth rate of 0.9% during 2010-2020. It has population increase of  31,847  since 2010. The median age in Connecticut is 40.6 years and carries a small gender gap of 51.2% female and 48.8% male individuals in the total state population.

Connecticut Census 2020
Total Population3,605,944 (3.6 million)
Percentage Change0.9%
Population Rank29th
Total Land Area4,849 sq mi (12,559 sq. km)
Area Rank48th
Population Density739/sq mi (285/km2)
Capital CityHartford
Largest CityBridgeport

Source: US Census 2020

Connecticut Historical Population

Connecticut has a population growth rate of 6.1% during 2010-2020. In the year 1900 Connecticut’s Population was 1 million and in  2020 it reached 3.6 million, an increase of almost 2.6 million. 

Let’s look at decade population & percentage change 

Census YearPopulation% Change
1790237,946
1800251,0025.50%
1810261,9424.40%
1820275,2485.10%
1830297,6758.10%
1840309,9784.10%
1850370,79219.60%
1860460,14724.10%
1870537,45416.80%
1880622,70015.90%
1890746,25819.80%
1900908,42021.70%
19101,114,75622.70%
19201,380,63123.90%
19301,606,90316.40%
19401,709,2426.40%
19502,007,28017.40%
19602,535,23426.30%
19703,031,70919.60%
19803,107,5762.50%
19903,287,1165.80%
20003,405,5653.60%
20103,574,0974.90%
20203,605,9440.90%
Source: US Census 2020
Religion in Affiliations

Christianity is the majority religion in Connecticut followed by 70% of the population. The largest Christian denomination in Connecticut is Protestants (35%); Roman Catholics (33%); Mormonism (1%); Eastern Orthodoxy (1%)

Next comes the Unaffiliated population, 23% of the population doesn’t follow or adhere to any faith or religion. Other non-Christian-based religions and faiths are followed by 7% of the population and include Jewish (3%), Hinduism (1%), Buddhist (1%), Muslims (1%) and smaller other faiths.

For more details read Religion in Connecticut

Race and Ethnicity 

In 2020, the White alone (non-Hispanic) population was the largest racial or ethnic group in Connecticut, comprising 63.21% of the total population. It was followed by the Hispanic or Latino population whose share was 17.29%. Black or African American was the third largest group at 10.01%. The Asian population was fourth with a share of 4.73%. 

Ancestry in Connecticut 

As per Census Studies & estimate Italian, Irish, German, English, and Polish have made the five largest ancestry groups in Connecticut. 

For more Details read Race and Ethnicity in Connecticut 

Top cities and counties in Connecticut

As of 2022, Connecticut is divided into 8 counties. The largest county in the state by population is Fairfield, with a population of 949,921. The largest city in Connecticut is Bridgeport, with a population of 143,525  followed by Stamford (131,397) and New Haven(130,801). 

read more about counties and cities in Connecticut 

Connecticut Population 2024 | Connecticut Historical Population