Fastest growing cities in Connecticut
Population growth in the United States is slowing. From 2010 to 2020, the population grew by just 7.4%—the lowest rate since the 1930s. Declining birth rates, an aging population, and fewer immigrants are all contributing to historically slow growth rates. But depending on where you are in the country, it might not always feel that way.
In every state, there were cities that experienced cumulative population gains over the course of the decade. But when you look at the growth rates from year to year, cities across the country are following a similar trajectory. Small, medium, and large cities all saw declining growth since 2016. Some of the largest cities—those with populations over 1 million—have actually seen a decrease in overall population, not just slower population growth.
Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing cities in Connecticut using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020.
Many cities experienced their most significant growth within the first few years of the decade. Experts postulate that the housing bubble burst in tandem with economic hardships of the Great Recession pushed many people of home-buying age to the cities. A decade later, in the wake of the pandemic, the U.S. is in a similar position.
#20. Moodus
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +860
--- #3,598 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 76.6%
--- #3 among cities in Connecticut, #1,250 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 1,982
--- #97 largest city in Connecticut, #10,945 largest city nationwide
#19. Durham
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,143
--- #3,069 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 43.5%
--- #7 among cities in Connecticut, #2,591 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 3,771
--- #69 largest city in Connecticut, #7,763 largest city nationwide
#18. Cheshire Village
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,172
--- #3,008 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 22.0%
--- #18 among cities in Connecticut, #5,174 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 6,499
--- #51 largest city in Connecticut, #5,548 largest city nationwide
#17. New Britain
- 2010 to 2020 population change: 1,181
--- #2,993 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 1.6%
--- #67 among cities in Connecticut, #13,841 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 74,135
--- #8 largest city in Connecticut, #517 largest city nationwide
#16. West Hartford
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,185
--- #2,982 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 1.9%
--- #65 among cities in Connecticut, #13,643 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 64,083
--- #9 largest city in Connecticut, #634 largest city nationwide
#15. Kensington
- 2010 to 2020 population change: 1,201
--- #2,962 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 13.7%
--- #28 among cities in Connecticut, #7,365 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 9,962
--- #35 largest city in Connecticut, #4,081 largest city nationwide
#14. Glastonbury Center
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,405
--- #2,687 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 19.9%
--- #21 among cities in Connecticut, #5,644 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 8,459
--- #41 largest city in Connecticut, #4,604 largest city nationwide
#13. Heritage Village
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,660
--- #2,429 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 48.4%
--- #6 among cities in Connecticut, #2,298 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 5,091
--- #58 largest city in Connecticut, #6,461 largest city nationwide
#12. Shelton
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,808
--- #2,299 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 4.6%
--- #53 among cities in Connecticut, #11,836 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 40,869
--- #16 largest city in Connecticut, #1,063 largest city nationwide
#11. Storrs
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,845
--- #2,273 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 13.1%
--- #30 among cities in Connecticut, #7,621 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 15,979
--- #29 largest city in Connecticut, #2,776 largest city nationwide
#10. Lake Pocotopaug
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,052
--- #2,112 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 72.0%
--- #4 among cities in Connecticut, #1,369 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 4,901
--- #59 largest city in Connecticut, #6,626 largest city nationwide
#9. Hazardville
- 2010 to 2020 population change: 2,074
--- #2,093 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 43.2%
--- #9 among cities in Connecticut, #2,613 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 6,870
--- #50 largest city in Connecticut, #5,361 largest city nationwide
#8. Bethel
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,783
--- #1,668 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 31.6%
--- #10 among cities in Connecticut, #3,635 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 11,582
--- #34 largest city in Connecticut, #3,621 largest city nationwide
#7. Waterbury
- 2010 to 2020 population change: 4,462
--- #1,111 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 4.1%
--- #58 among cities in Connecticut, #12,217 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 114,403
--- #5 largest city in Connecticut, #268 largest city nationwide
#6. New Haven
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,138
--- #984 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 4.0%
--- #59 among cities in Connecticut, #12,275 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 134,023
--- #3 largest city in Connecticut, #217 largest city nationwide
#5. Bridgeport
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +6,078
--- #845 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 4.3%
--- #55 among cities in Connecticut, #12,082 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 148,654
--- #1 largest city in Connecticut, #187 largest city nationwide
#4. Manchester
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +6,462
--- #804 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 21.6%
--- #19 among cities in Connecticut, #5,269 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 36,379
--- #18 largest city in Connecticut, #1,208 largest city nationwide
#3. Norwalk
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +6,573
--- #794 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 7.8%
--- #44 among cities in Connecticut, #9,976 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 91,184
--- #6 largest city in Connecticut, #386 largest city nationwide
#2. Danbury
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,147
--- #733 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 9.0%
--- #42 among cities in Connecticut, #9,351 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 86,518
--- #7 largest city in Connecticut, #418 largest city nationwide
#1. Stamford
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +14,563
--- #329 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 12.0%
--- #36 among cities in Connecticut, #7,994 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 135,470
--- #2 largest city in Connecticut, #212 largest city nationwide
