Connecticut
CT · Data from 2022–2023 government sources
Connecticut, the Constitution State, is a small but influential New England state that punches far above its weight in history, education, and economic output. Despite being the third-smallest state by area, Connecticut has one of the highest per-capita incomes in the nation. Its landscape of rolling hills, coastal towns, and colonial villages has shaped American culture since the earliest days of European settlement.
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Play GeoProwlHistory
Connecticut was one of the original 13 colonies and the fifth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1788. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, adopted in 1639, are considered one of the world's first written constitutions, earning the state its nickname. Connecticut played a vital role in the American Revolution and the Industrial Revolution — Eli Whitney's cotton gin and Samuel Colt's revolver were both developed here. The state was also a center of the abolitionist movement, with Harriet Beecher Stowe writing 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' in Hartford.
Economy
Connecticut's economy is anchored by financial services and insurance (Hartford is known as the Insurance Capital of the World), defense manufacturing (including Pratt & Whitney jet engines and Electric Boat submarines), pharmaceuticals, and higher education. The state is home to numerous hedge funds in the Fairfield County 'Gold Coast.' Despite its small size, Connecticut consistently ranks among the top states for GDP per capita.
Geography & Landmarks
Connecticut covers just 5,543 square miles — only Rhode Island and Delaware are smaller. The state features a 96-mile Long Island Sound coastline, the Connecticut River valley running through its center, and the Berkshire foothills in the northwest. The Appalachian Trail crosses 52 miles of the state's northwestern corner. Bear Mountain, at 2,316 feet, is the highest peak. The Connecticut River, New England's longest river at 410 miles, bisects the state and created the fertile Central Valley that has supported farming since colonial times. The Metacomet Ridge, a basalt traprock ridge, runs north-south through the state and provides some of Connecticut's most dramatic hiking terrain, including the popular Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail — Photo Credit: ATC/Benjamin Hays
Source: NPS API
Culture & Traditions
Connecticut punches well above its weight in literary and artistic heritage. Mark Twain wrote Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court at his ornate Hartford home, now a museum, and Harriet Beecher Stowe lived next door while writing Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Yale University Art Gallery, founded in 1832, is the oldest university art museum in the Western Hemisphere, and the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford is the oldest public art museum in the United States. Connecticut's food traditions include New Haven-style thin-crust pizza (apizza), with Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana serving its famous coal-fired pies since 1925. The state is home to the Lime Rock Park road racing circuit and the Travelers Championship PGA Tour event, while UConn's men's and women's basketball programs have won a combined 16 NCAA national championships.
Notable Cities
Hartford
CapitalThe state capital and Insurance Capital of the World. Home to the Mark Twain House, the Wadsworth Atheneum (the oldest public art museum in the U.S.), and the nation's oldest continuously published newspaper.
121,057
Population
$41,841
Median income
$198,900
Home value
$1,154
Median rent
33.1
Median age
10.6%
Unemployment
25.6%
Homeownership
7,877
Bachelor's+
New Haven
Home to Yale University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. Also famous for its pizza — Frank Pepe's and Sally's Apizza are legendary.
Stamford
A major corporate hub in Fairfield County, home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and a key part of the New York metro area's financial corridor.
Mystic
A historic seaport village known for the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Mystic Aquarium, and the 1988 film 'Mystic Pizza' starring Julia Roberts.
Greenwich
One of the wealthiest communities in the United States and a global hedge fund capital, located on the Connecticut-New York border.
Capital city data: Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)
Intel File · Fun Facts
The first hamburger in America was reportedly served at Louis' Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut in 1900.
Connecticut's Fundamental Orders of 1639 are considered the first written constitution in the Western tradition.
The first telephone directory was issued in New Haven in 1878 — it contained just 50 names.
PEZ candy headquarters is located in Orange, Connecticut, and features a visitor center with the world's largest PEZ dispenser.
The first lollipop-making machine was invented in New Haven in 1908.
Data & Statistics
Demographics
- Population
- 3,611,317
- Median income
- $90,213
- Median age
- 40.9
- Median home value
- $323,700
- Below poverty line
- 355,692
- Bachelor's degree+
- 573,917
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022)
Agriculture
- Total farms
- 5,058
- Cropland
- 139,558 acres
- Market value
- $704M
Source: USDA NASS, Census of Agriculture (2022)
Public Health
- Obesity rate
- 29.4%
- Diabetes rate
- 9.9%
- Smoking rate
- 8.4%
- High blood pressure
- 32.0%
- Uninsured
- 7.2%
Source: CDC BRFSS Prevalence Data (2023, 2022 fallback)
National Parks & Sites
- National parks
- 0
- Total NPS sites
- 5
- Sites
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Coltsville National Historical Park, New England National Scenic Trail, Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, Weir Farm National Historical Park
Source: National Park Service API
Climate
- Avg temperature
- 49.5°F
- Avg high
- 60.3°F
- Avg low
- 39.9°F
- Annual precipitation
- 51.1 in
- Annual snowfall
- 36.8 in
Source: NOAA Climate Normals (2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Connecticut?▾
Hartford is the capital of Connecticut. It has been the sole capital since 1875, though it previously shared the role with New Haven.
Why is Connecticut called the Constitution State?▾
Connecticut is called the Constitution State because its Fundamental Orders of 1639 are considered one of the first written constitutions in world history, establishing a framework for democratic governance in the colony.
What is Connecticut known for?▾
Connecticut is known for its Ivy League university (Yale), insurance industry (Hartford), colonial history, New England charm, coastal towns along Long Island Sound, and some of the highest per-capita incomes in the nation.
Is Connecticut part of New England?▾
Yes, Connecticut is one of the six New England states, along with Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is the southernmost New England state, bordering New York.
Data sources
U.S. Census Bureau · USDA NASS · CDC BRFSS · National Park Service · NOAA CDO
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau. This product uses the NASS API but is not endorsed or certified by NASS.
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