Fastest Growing Counties in Connecticut (2026)

County
Rank
Change (2020)
2026 Pop.
2020 Pop.
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region16.17%344,398324,397
Western CT Planning Region25.15%650,637618,762
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region34.99%471,442449,055
Capitol Planning Region44.54%1,007,872964,088
Northeastern CT Planning Region54.41%99,43595,231
South Central CT Planning Region63.51%584,316564,526
Lower CT River Valley Planning Region73.46%179,272173,281
Southeastern CT Planning Region82.94%286,562278,379
Northwest Hills Planning Region92.7%115,227112,199

Connecticut Counties Growth Overview

Connecticut's counties show varied growth patterns from 2020 to 2026. Greater Bridgeport Planning Region leads with 1% annualized growth, followed by Western CT Planning Region (0.84%) and Naugatuck Valley Planning Region (0.81%). The largest counties are Capitol Planning Region (1,007,872), Western CT Planning Region (650,637), and South Central CT Planning Region (584,316). All 9 counties in Connecticut are growing. Overall, counties averaged 0.69% annualized growth, with total population growing by 0.73% annually.

Change (2020)

-0.05

-0.025

0

0.025

0.05

0.075