Lower Connecticut River Valley, CT

This county of 177,180 residents needs 1,636 more housing units over the next five years. Lower Connecticut River Valley is part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley COG.

Housing snapshot

Population
177,180 (2026)
Households
75,385
Median household income
$115,135 (2026)
Typical home value
$442,921
Owner-occupied
68%
Five-year housing need
1,636 units

Comparison to other Connecticut counties

Lower Connecticut River Valley: $115,135 Median income (2026 estimate)
$88K $128K
Lower Connecticut River Valley: 0.91 jobs to household ratio
0.71 1.3
Lower Connecticut River Valley: Permits since 2021 represent 1.0% of housing
0.7% 2.1%
On this page

How affordable is this community?

At $442,921, typical home prices in Lower Connecticut River Valley, CT are close to the Connecticut average of $446,226. With a median household income of $115,135 in Lower Connecticut River Valley, CT, housing costs are a modest stretch for the typical household.

This chart tracks whether housing prices are keeping pace with local incomes. The gap between what homes cost and what households can afford reveals affordability trends over time.

How is the population changing?

Lower Connecticut River Valley, CT has a population of roughly 175,822 that has been largely stable in recent years.

Population growth patterns reveal how communities are evolving. This chart shows historical population changes by age group and projects future trends based on demographic patterns.

How has employment changed over time?

Jobs by industry sector since 2012. Switch between local jobs — counted where the jobs are located — and resident jobs, counted where the workers live. On the local view the most recent year is a nowcast: it grows the latest local LODES job mix forward using recent county employment growth from QCEW and the BLS local employment series, so the newest point tracks today's economy instead of data that is roughly two years old.

How are households changing by income?

Lower Connecticut River Valley, CT has roughly 75,385 households and a population that has been largely stable in recent years.

Understanding how households at different income levels are growing or declining helps identify which groups face the greatest housing pressure and where new housing is most needed.

Who lives here today?

The housing stock in Lower Connecticut River Valley, CT is heavily oriented toward detached single-family, which makes up 72% of units. Homeownership is the norm in Lower Connecticut River Valley, CT, with 68% of units owner-occupied.

Households may have different structure type preferences depending on characteristics such as household size, income, employment, presence of children, age of individuals, and lifestyle choices. Understanding the housing stock in corresponding terms helps assess how well existing units align with existing households' ideals.

What does the housing stock look like?

The mix of housing types and ownership patterns shapes a community's character. This chart breaks down housing units by structure type and whether they're owner-occupied or rented.

How much new housing supply is needed?

To keep up with growth and fill current housing shortages, Lower Connecticut River Valley, CT needs 1,636 new units over the next 5 years.

1,636
Units to address shortages in existing housing stock
Production needs to address vacancy rates and other factors.
364
Replacement housing
Effective annual loss rate is 0.9 per 1,000 units.
445
Ownership vacancy adjustment
Owner-occupied vacancy is 0.7%. This is below the minimum stable target of 1.5%.
782
Rental vacancy adjustment
Rental vacancy is 3.6%. This is below the minimum stable target of 7.4%.
45
Substandard housing adjustment
Substandard housing rate is 1.04%. This is above National avg. of 0.98%.
1,636
Total 5-year housing production need (2026-2031)
327
Annual production pace
Average units needed per year to meet 5-year need
2.0%
Total housing unit growth
Percent increase in housing stock over 5 years
0.4%
Annual housing unit growth
Average percent increase in housing stock per year

How do these communities compare to each other?