Fastest Growing Counties in Connecticut (2026)

County
Rank
Change (2020)
2026 Pop.
2020 Pop.
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region14.51%339,003324,360
Western Connecticut Planning Region23.96%643,243618,740
Capitol Planning Region33.63%999,036964,034
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region43.61%465,218448,993
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region53.52%98,56595,212
South Central Connecticut Planning Region62.75%579,944564,449
Northwest Hills Planning Region72.58%115,100112,206
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region82.49%177,575173,266
Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region92.33%284,859278,383

Connecticut Counties Growth Overview

Connecticut's counties show varied growth patterns from 2020 to 2026. Greater Bridgeport Planning Region leads with 0.74% annualized growth, followed by Western Connecticut Planning Region (0.65%) and Capitol Planning Region (0.6%). The largest counties are Capitol Planning Region (999,036), Western Connecticut Planning Region (643,243), and South Central Connecticut Planning Region (579,944). All 9 counties in Connecticut are growing. Overall, counties averaged 0.54% annualized growth, with total population growing by 0.56% annually.

Change (2020)

-0.05

-0.025

0

0.025

0.05

0.075