Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states in America, with some of the highest concentrations of wealth existing in its small towns. But some of its cities fall among the poorest in the country. Some have been declared “distressed,” and all of these suffer from lower incomes, higher rates of poverty, and higher unemployment rates. Scroll to see the poorest cities in Connecticut for yourself.
- Bridgeport
Iracaz/Wikimedia More than 16% of people in this area are unemployed, and more students receive free or reduced lunch here than the state average.
- New Haven
Emilie Foyer/Wikimedia Nearly one third of public school students in Connecticut live in a distressed community, and the Yale campus area is no exception.
- Hartford
Mira Hartford/Wikimedia The state capital is considered a distressed municipality, in large part because its poverty level is over thirty percent.
- Waterbury
Daniel Casus, Grossis/Wikimedia With a poverty level over twenty percent, it’s no surprise that this high population city doesn’t see as much home ownership as its wealthier counterparts.
- New London
Billy Hathorn/Wikimedia This coastal city has a fifteen percent unemployment rate and an average per capita income lower than the state’s average.
- New Britain
Sage Ross/Wikimedia There is a great education disparity here as well, and the poverty level is twenty-two percent.
- Ansonia
Milfordwoman/Wikimedia Despite having barely twenty thousand residents, the unemployment rate stands at thirteen percent, the same as the much larger Waterbury.
- Willimantic
Pi.1415926535/Wikimedia This smaller city doesn’t experience an increase in crime over the state average, but the cost of living is too high. As is the poverty rate.
Were you surprised by the poorest cities in Connecticut? That may be because some of the poorest cities often have the greatest wealth disparities! So you’re still likely to see gorgeous multi-million dollar estates in these areas. But the extremely poor areas hiding within them can not be forgotten.
Iracaz/Wikimedia
More than 16% of people in this area are unemployed, and more students receive free or reduced lunch here than the state average.
Emilie Foyer/Wikimedia
Nearly one third of public school students in Connecticut live in a distressed community, and the Yale campus area is no exception.
Mira Hartford/Wikimedia
The state capital is considered a distressed municipality, in large part because its poverty level is over thirty percent.
Daniel Casus, Grossis/Wikimedia
With a poverty level over twenty percent, it’s no surprise that this high population city doesn’t see as much home ownership as its wealthier counterparts.
Billy Hathorn/Wikimedia
This coastal city has a fifteen percent unemployment rate and an average per capita income lower than the state’s average.
Sage Ross/Wikimedia
There is a great education disparity here as well, and the poverty level is twenty-two percent.
Milfordwoman/Wikimedia
Despite having barely twenty thousand residents, the unemployment rate stands at thirteen percent, the same as the much larger Waterbury.
Pi.1415926535/Wikimedia
This smaller city doesn’t experience an increase in crime over the state average, but the cost of living is too high. As is the poverty rate.
This list was created with the help of the Hartford Courant and RoadSnacks, who gathered information from the American Community Survey and The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. Check out this list as well, where we rated the safest places in Connecticut!
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