Counties with the most pre-war homes in Connecticut

Written by:
October 20, 2025
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Counties with the most pre-war homes in Connecticut

Pre-war homes—those built before 1939—are architectural gems. They are sturdy, charming, and often what people are referring to when they look at the prevalent colorless, linear designs of today and lament "they just don't make them like they used to."

In some ways, that's a good thing. Pre-war homes often contained materials we know to be hazardous today, like asbestos and lead. But their signature characteristics, including hardwood floors, nickel accents, ornate crown molding, and high ceilings, are among the features many people look for in a dream home.

Preserving the history of these properties, many of which you'll find on the National Register of Historic Places, is labor that often extends beyond the scope of an individual homeowner. Depending on where these homes are located, special permission by local historic commissions may be required before renovations can be done in an effort to preserve their historic architectural integrity.

Stacker compiled a list of counties in Connecticut with the most pre-war homes using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percent of homes that were built in 1939 or earlier based on 2023 5-year estimates.

#9. Western Connecticut Planning Region

- Homes built 1939 or earlier: 16.2% (40,541 homes)
- Homes built since 2000: 0.6% (1,609 homes)
- Median year homes built: 1971
- National rank: #1,136
- Total homes built: 250,108

#8. Capitol Planning Region

- Homes built 1939 or earlier: 18.2% (75,663 homes)
- Homes built since 2000: 0.4% (1,566 homes)
- Median year homes built: 1966
- National rank: #997
- Total homes built: 415,269

#7. Naugatuck Valley Planning Region

- Homes built 1939 or earlier: 19.7% (37,835 homes)
- Homes built since 2000: 0.4% (675 homes)
- Median year homes built: 1969
- National rank: #889
- Total homes built: 191,984

#6. Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region

- Homes built 1939 or earlier: 20.1% (16,648 homes)
- Homes built since 2000: 0.2% (175 homes)
- Median year homes built: 1972
- National rank: #862
- Total homes built: 82,771

#5. Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region

- Homes built 1939 or earlier: 23.4% (29,396 homes)
- Homes built since 2000: 0.4% (461 homes)
- Median year homes built: 1969
- National rank: #686
- Total homes built: 125,728

#4. South Central Connecticut Planning Region

- Homes built 1939 or earlier: 23.4% (57,808 homes)
- Homes built since 2000: 0.3% (675 homes)
- Median year homes built: 1963
- National rank: #685
- Total homes built: 247,217

#3. Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region

- Homes built 1939 or earlier: 23.4% (9,737 homes)
- Homes built since 2000: 0.5% (219 homes)
- Median year homes built: 1973
- National rank: #684
- Total homes built: 41,629

#2. Greater Bridgeport Planning Region

- Homes built 1939 or earlier: 24.1% (30,344 homes)
- Homes built since 2000: 0.5% (612 homes)
- Median year homes built: 1959
- National rank: #645
- Total homes built: 125,678

#1. Northwest Hills Planning Region

- Homes built 1939 or earlier: 27.8% (15,462 homes)
- Homes built since 2000: 0.6% (358 homes)
- Median year homes built: 1966
- National rank: #459
- Total homes built: 55,665

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