Hartford, Connecticut Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hartford, Connecticut had a total population of 121,127, the 4th largest city in Connecticut, with a median household income of $46,411, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Hartford is the 4th largest city in Connecticut with a population of 121,127.
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.7% is notably above the national average.
Hartford Quick Facts
How Hartford 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 | 119,970 | 121,127 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $45,300 | $46,411 | +2.5% |
| Median home value | $217,200 | $228,600 | +5.2% |
How Hartford 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 57 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Hartford Rankings in Connecticut
Explore Connecticut Rankings
Cities Similar to Hartford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbury | 114,869 | $51,886 | $208,500 | 17.3% | 24.7% |
| New Haven | 134,349 | $56,851 | $287,100 | 38.9% | 23.9% |
| Bridgeport | 149,153 | $58,685 | $274,900 | 23.4% | 21.0% |
| Stamford | 137,144 | $111,586 | $624,400 | 51.7% | 10.1% |
| New Britain | 74,223 | $58,613 | $223,600 | 19.6% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
Hartford is a major urban center located in Connecticut. The total population is 121,127. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hartford is 33.1 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 41.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hartford is $46,411. This is 52% lower than the state median of $95,781. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.3%. This is 162% 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 10.7%. This is 92% higher than the state rate of 5.6%. The median home value is $228,600. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $366,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 25.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 61% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hartford is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 33.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (15.1%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (33.8% vs 9.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (44.5% vs 18.3%).
Education
19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 54% 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 75.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hartford, 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 Hartford, Connecticut?
Hartford, Connecticut has a population of 121,127 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hartford, CT?
The median household income in Hartford is $46,411, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hartford, CT?
The poverty rate in Hartford is 26.3%. This means approximately 29,944 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hartford, Connecticut?
Hartford's population is 15.1% White, 33.8% Black, 44.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hartford, CT?
The median home value in Hartford is $228,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Hartford, Connecticut?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Hartford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.