Manchester, Connecticut Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Manchester, Connecticut had a total population of 36,759, the 18th largest community in Connecticut, with a median household income of $74,267, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Manchester Quick Facts
How Manchester 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 | 36,561 | 36,759 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $76,780 | $74,267 | -3.3% |
| Median home value | $205,800 | $223,400 | +8.6% |
How Manchester 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+)
Manchester Rankings in Connecticut
Explore Connecticut Rankings
Cities Similar to Manchester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torrington | 35,547 | $70,856 | $215,500 | 24.8% | 13.7% |
| Norwich | 39,973 | $65,024 | $242,300 | 23.1% | 16.7% |
| Naugatuck | 31,800 | $96,324 | $259,100 | 32.2% | 6.3% |
| Middletown | 47,958 | $79,438 | $295,300 | 40.2% | 12.0% |
| Shelton | 41,889 | $108,185 | $452,600 | 41.8% | 6.6% |
Population Overview
Manchester is a mid-sized community located in Connecticut. The total population is 36,759. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut.
Age Demographics
The median age in Manchester is 37.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 41.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Manchester is $74,267. This is 22% lower than the state median of $95,781. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 5.6%. The median home value is $223,400. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $366,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 55.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Manchester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (16.8% vs 9.8%).
Education
31.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Manchester, 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 Manchester, Connecticut?
Manchester, Connecticut has a population of 36,759 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Manchester, CT?
The median household income in Manchester is $74,267, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Manchester, CT?
The poverty rate in Manchester is 12.5%. This means approximately 4,553 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Manchester, Connecticut?
Manchester's population is 51.9% White, 16.8% Black, 20.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Manchester, CT?
The median home value in Manchester is $223,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Manchester, Connecticut?
31.5% of adults (25+) in Manchester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.