Canaan, Connecticut Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Canaan, Connecticut had a total population of 961, the 164th largest community in Connecticut, with a median household income of $48,214, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Canaan Quick Facts
How Canaan Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,297 | 961 | -25.9% |
| Median household income | $31,986 | $48,214 | +50.7% |
| Median home value | $170,700 | $204,200 | +19.6% |
How Canaan Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 57 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Canaan Rankings in Connecticut
Explore Connecticut Rankings
Cities Similar to Canaan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bantam | 810 | N/A | $317,700 | 26.2% | 14.4% |
| North Grosvenor Dale | 1,212 | N/A | $284,400 | 15.3% | 19.0% |
| Brooklyn | 986 | $76,333 | $281,800 | 14.6% | 0.0% |
| Poquonock Bridge | 1,105 | $36,940 | $220,300 | 9.4% | 11.4% |
| Mechanicsville | 721 | $44,349 | $242,900 | 21.7% | 12.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 961, Canaan's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Canaan is a small community located in Connecticut. The total population is 961. It ranks as the 164th most populous out of 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut.
Age Demographics
The median age in Canaan is 38.6 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 41.1 years. With 28.2% of the population under 18, Canaan has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Canaan is $48,214. This is 50% lower than the state median of $95,781. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.3%. This is 102% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 5.6%. The median home value is $204,200. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $366,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 67.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Canaan is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.2%.
Education
32.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 42.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Canaan, Connecticut is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Connecticut state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Connecticut city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Canaan, Connecticut?
Canaan, Connecticut has a population of 961 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Canaan, CT?
The median household income in Canaan is $48,214, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Canaan, CT?
The poverty rate in Canaan is 20.3%. This means approximately 194 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Canaan, Connecticut?
Canaan's population is 79.1% White, 0.0% Black, 15.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Canaan, CT?
The median home value in Canaan is $204,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Canaan, Connecticut?
32.1% of adults (25+) in Canaan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.