Counties in Connecticut with the Highest Percentage of Lifelong Residents
The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with increasing inflation and the rising cost of living in large cities, has led to a significant wave of migration across the United States over the past two years. During the pandemic’s first year, there was a marked departure from overpopulated and expensive urban areas like New York and San Francisco, with many opting to relocate to warmer, more affordable cities in the Sunbelt region.
However, not all who relocated traveled far. Studies show that a significant number of people leaving urban centers moved to nearby suburbs within their own states instead of making long-distance moves.
There are also indications that many individuals prefer staying close to their roots, either remaining where they were raised or returning to their hometowns. Support for this claim comes from the increasing trend of young adults living with their parents, a phenomenon that gained momentum before the pandemic and worsened due to financial strains. By the end of 2020, over half of Americans aged under 29 were living at home, a figure higher than during the Great Depression.
Beyond the pandemic, many individuals choose to remain in their home state for various reasons, including a desire to stay close to family, lack of resources for relocation, or preference for a lower living cost.
To explore where residents are most likely to stay, Stacker has created a list of Connecticut counties with the highest proportion of lifelong residents, drawing data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked based on the percentage of their populations that were born in Connecticut, using 2020 five-year estimates.
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#8. Fairfield County
– Population: 944,306
– Connecticut natives: 401,539 (42.5% of total)
– Residents from other states: 306,832 (32.5% of total)
— Midwest (3.2%), Northeast (23.4%), South (4.1%), West (1.9%)
– Foreign-born residents: 206,892 (21.91% of total)
— Africa (0.75%), Asia (4.12%), Europe (4.44%), Latin America (12.10%), North America (0.43%), Oceania (0.07%)
#7. New London County
– Population: 266,868
– Connecticut natives: 138,541 (51.9% of total)
– Residents from other states: 98,566 (36.9% of total)
— Midwest (4.0%), Northeast (22.3%), South (7.0%), West (3.5%)
– Foreign-born residents: 23,072 (8.65% of total)
— Africa (0.22%), Asia (3.12%), Europe (1.49%), Latin America (3.51%), North America (0.26%), Oceania (0.05%)
#6. Hartford County
– Population: 892,153
– Connecticut natives: 503,624 (56.5% of total)
– Residents from other states: 201,769 (22.6% of total)
— Midwest (2.2%), Northeast (14.9%), South (4.0%), West (1.5%)
– Foreign-born residents: 136,851 (15.34% of total)
— Africa (0.84%), Asia (4.27%), Europe (4.02%), Latin America (5.79%), North America (0.39%), Oceania (0.02%)
#5. Windham County
– Population: 116,657
– Connecticut natives: 67,133 (57.5% of total)
– Residents from other states: 39,023 (33.5% of total)
— Midwest (1.6%), Northeast (26.5%), South (3.3%), West (2.0%)
– Foreign-born residents: 5,447 (4.67% of total)
— Africa (0.15%), Asia (1.21%), Europe (1.15%), Latin America (1.85%), North America (0.29%), Oceania (0.01%)
#4. New Haven County
– Population: 855,733
– Connecticut natives: 517,545 (60.5% of total)
– Residents from other states: 189,044 (22.1% of total)
— Midwest (2.1%), Northeast (14.0%), South (4.5%), West (1.5%)
– Foreign-born residents: 111,518 (13.03% of total)
— Africa (1.00%), Asia (3.26%), Europe (2.87%), Latin America (5.55%), North America (0.32%), Oceania (0.03%)
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#3. Tolland County
– Population: 150,947
– Connecticut natives: 92,294 (61.1% of total)
– Residents from other states: 45,623 (30.2% of total)
— Midwest (3.1%), Northeast (21.4%), South (3.3%), West (2.3%)
– Foreign-born residents: 11,205 (7.42% of total)
— Africa (0.25%), Asia (3.59%), Europe (1.62%), Latin America (1.56%), North America (0.35%), Oceania (0.04%)
#2. Middlesex County
– Population: 162,742
– Connecticut natives: 104,270 (64.1% of total)
– Residents from other states: 43,583 (26.8% of total)
— Midwest (2.8%), Northeast (18.3%), South (3.9%), West (1.9%)
– Foreign-born residents: 12,721 (7.82% of total)
— Africa (0.42%), Asia (2.30%), Europe (2.94%), Latin America (1.91%), North America (0.22%), Oceania (0.02%)
#1. Litchfield County
– Population: 181,143
– Connecticut natives: 118,886 (65.6% of total)
– Residents from other states: 46,362 (25.6% of total)
— Midwest (3.1%), Northeast (17.7%), South (3.3%), West (1.5%)
– Foreign-born residents: 13,678 (7.55% of total)
— Africa (0.26%), Asia (1.65%), Europe (3.18%), Latin America (2.12%), North America (0.26%), Oceania (0.08%)
