Connecticut’s population diversity continues to increase

Connecticut grew substantially more diverse in the past decade, based on newly released Census data.

The Hispanic and Latino population increased from 13.4% to 17.3%.  The Black population increased from 10.1% to 10.8%. The Asian population grew from 3.8% to 4.8%.  Non-Hispanic whites decreased from 77.6% of the total in 2010 to 66.4% in 2020.  Connecticut’s Hispanic population grew by approximately 30% from 2010-2020, increasing by 144,000 people. The white population decreased by 377,000.  Fairfield County is the state’s most diverse county with 61% identifying as non-Hispanic white, and 39% other racial and ethnic groups.

The increase in diversity may impact the state’s redistricting.  Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause of Connecticut, said, “We need processes that prioritize … hearing from diverse populations in a way that we haven’t done before. … If people’s voices aren’t heard, then it’s not going to make the mapmaking process as inclusive as it needs to be.”

Connecticut’s total population increased by 31,847 residents.  Fairfield County grew the most. Stamford jumped to become the state’s second largest city after Bridgeport, from fourth largest 10 years earlier.