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Gales Ferry, Connecticut Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 28.6% is well above the state average

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gales Ferry, Connecticut had a total population of 1,141, the 155th largest community in Connecticut, with a median household income of $80,735, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.6%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Gales Ferry Quick Facts

Population 1,141
Median Household Income $80,735
Median Home Value $335,100
Poverty Rate 28.6%
Unemployment Rate 6.0%
Median Age 40.7 years
Homeownership Rate 79.0%
Affordability Ratio 4.2x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 43.0%
High School Graduation Rate 98.7%
Diversity Index 20/100
Population 1,141 155th of 214
Median Income $80,735 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 28.6% 129% higher than national
Median Home Value $335,100 average

How Gales Ferry Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population1,0271,141+11.1%
Median home value$282,800$335,100+18.5%

How Gales Ferry Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 37.9%
$25K-$50K 3.9%
$50K-$100K 26.0%
$100K+ 32.2%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
21.5%
$10K-$15K
0.0%
$15K-$20K
16.4%
$20K-$25K
0.0%
$25K-$30K
0.0%
$30K-$35K
0.0%
$35K-$40K
0.0%
$40K-$45K
0.0%
$45K-$50K
3.9%
$50K-$60K
1.1%
$60K-$75K
5.9%
$75K-$100K
18.9%
$100K-$125K
7.5%
$125K-$150K
2.3%
$150K-$200K
6.2%
$200K+
16.2%

Employment

6.0% Unemployment Rate State: 5.6%|National: 5.2%
74.7% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 79.0%
Renter 21.0%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.2x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $2,201/mo 32.7% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

20out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 57 | National average: 61

Education

Gales Ferry Rankings in Connecticut

#155 Population of 214
#147 Median Income of 204
#126 Education of 214
#123 Home Value of 205

Cities Similar to Gales Ferry

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
New Preston1,146$76,406$452,60057.8%15.8%
North Grosvenor Dale1,212N/A$284,40015.3%19.0%
Wauregan1,049$79,545$262,70018.6%3.0%
Baltic1,157$68,958$196,20016.1%11.6%
Canton Valley1,186$91,678$322,70045.6%0.0%

Population Overview

Gales Ferry is a small community located in Connecticut. The total population is 1,141. It ranks as the 155th most populous out of 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut.

Age Demographics

The median age in Gales Ferry is 40.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 41.1 years. With 32.1% of the population under 18, Gales Ferry has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Gales Ferry is $80,735. This is 16% lower than the state median of $95,781. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.6%. This is 185% 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 6.0%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 5.6%. The median home value is $335,100. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $366,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 79.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 66.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Gales Ferry has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The Black or African American population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 9.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.

Education

43.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% higher 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 98.7%. Notably, 20.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Gales Ferry, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Gales Ferry, Connecticut?

Gales Ferry, Connecticut has a population of 1,141 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Gales Ferry, CT?

The median household income in Gales Ferry is $80,735, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Gales Ferry, CT?

The poverty rate in Gales Ferry is 28.6%. This means approximately 326 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Gales Ferry, Connecticut?

Gales Ferry's population is 89.2% White, 3.1% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.

What is the median home value in Gales Ferry, CT?

The median home value in Gales Ferry is $335,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.

How educated is Gales Ferry, Connecticut?

43.0% of adults (25+) in Gales Ferry hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.