Best counties to raise a family in Connecticut
Best counties to raise a family in Connecticut
For people looking to find a home to raise a family in, choosing a county is an important decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wish lists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Connecticut using 2025 data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
The list features counties that boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you'll find one that suits your brood.
#8. Windham County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C+), cost of living (B-), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 116,503
- Median household income: $71,418
- Median home value: $217,300
- Top places to live: South Woodstock (B+), Pomfret (B), Woodstock (B-)
#7. Litchfield County
- Niche grades: good for families (A-), public schools (A-), cost of living (C+), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 185,175
- Median household income: $84,797
- Median home value: $270,000
- Top places to live: New Preston (A), Litchfield (A-), Washington (A-)
#6. Middlesex County
- Niche grades: good for families (A), public schools (B+), cost of living (C+), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 164,568
- Median household income: $90,833
- Median home value: $298,300
- Top places to live: Old Saybrook (A-), Cromwell (A-), Higganum (A-)
#5. New Haven County
- Niche grades: good for families (A), public schools (B+), cost of living (C), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 864,751
- Median household income: $75,043
- Median home value: $259,400
- Top places to live: Cheshire (A+), Madison (A+), Orange (A)
#4. Tolland County
- Niche grades: good for families (A), public schools (A-), cost of living (C+), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 150,120
- Median household income: $88,525
- Median home value: $264,500
- Top places to live: Mansfield Center (A+), Tolland (A), Mansfield (A-)
#3. New London County
- Niche grades: good for families (A), public schools (A-), cost of living (C+), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 269,131
- Median household income: $79,040
- Median home value: $257,600
- Top places to live: Mystic (A+), Long Hill (A), Noank (A)
#2. Hartford County
- Niche grades: good for families (A+), public schools (A), cost of living (C+), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 898,636
- Median household income: $80,320
- Median home value: $249,000
- Top places to live: West Hartford (A+), Glastonbury Center (A+), Farmington (A+)
#1. Fairfield County
- Niche grades: good for families (A+), public schools (A), cost of living (C-), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A+)
- Population: 956,446
- Median household income: $101,194
- Median home value: $443,100
- Top places to live: Westport (A+), Riverside (A+), Old Greenwich (A+)
