10 Connecticut Towns Where The Population Is Growing Faster Than You Might Expect
People are packing boxes and choosing new hometowns, but they are not always heading where you might guess.
Population shifts can be sneaky like that.
A quiet community may be adding residents while a much better-known place nearby barely changes. Sometimes the clues appear gradually, with new homes going up and more people discovering an area that previously stayed outside the spotlight.
Several Connecticut towns are growing at a pace that may surprise anyone who has not checked the latest population trends. Why these places?
The answer can differ considerably from town to town. Location may play a role, while housing choices or everyday livability can make another community more appealing to newcomers.
Numbers only tell part of the story.
What makes the changes interesting is seeing which places people are actually choosing when it comes time to move. A few towns on the list may be obvious, but others are far less predictable.
1. South Windsor
Farm fields and fresh subdivisions sit side by side in South Windsor, and that contrast tells much of its growth story. The town reached about 26,900 residents in the 2020 census, up from around 25,700 a decade earlier.
Historic Main Street runs near the Connecticut River and is lined with old homes, some dating back to colonial times. Not far away, newer neighborhoods and shopping areas along Buckland Road and Route 5 show how the town has expanded.
Schools are a frequent reason families mention when they choose South Windsor. Parks get plenty of use as well, with Nevers Road Park offering fields, trails, and space for weekend games.
A fun stop for curious kids is the Wood Memorial Library and Museum at 783 Main Street, South Windsor, CT 06074. It has nature displays and hands-on programs that make local history and wildlife feel close.
Easy access to Interstate 291 and Interstate 84 means Hartford, Manchester, and even Bradley International Airport are short drives away. Commuters like that convenience, and employers in the area add jobs that keep new residents arriving.
For a town that still has working farmland, South Windsor balances old and new surprisingly well.
2. Ellington
Farm country is growing up fast. Ellington still has the barns and open fields that shaped its identity, but new neighborhoods keep changing the view.
The numbers tell part of the story. Ellington had 12,921 residents in 2000 and reached 16,426 by the 2020 Census, an increase of more than 27 percent over two decades.
That is considerable growth for a town that still proudly celebrates its agricultural roots.
Dairy farming remains part of the local landscape, creating an interesting contrast with newer homes and residential developments. Housing choices have expanded over the years as well, giving people more options than the traditional single-family homes associated with rural communities.
Daily life does not feel completely removed from busier areas. Route 83 runs through town, while Interstate 84 is accessible nearby through Vernon, making Manchester and the Hartford area manageable destinations.
When residents want some outdoor time, Arbor Park offers sports fields, playgrounds and space for community activities. Crystal Lake provides another warm-weather escape, with swimming and boating among the seasonal draws.
That balance may help explain Ellington’s continued growth. People can live among farms and quieter roads while keeping shopping, employment centers and larger communities comfortably within reach.
3. Berlin
A train can change a town, and Berlin is proof. When the Hartford Line commuter rail began service in 2018, the town’s station got a major upgrade, and new apartments and businesses soon followed nearby.
Berlin had about 20,200 residents in the 2020 census, up from roughly 19,900 in 2010. The growth may sound modest, but local leaders have pushed transit-friendly projects near the station that are designed to bring in more residents over time.
The Berlin Train Station, at 51 Depot Road, Berlin, CT 06037, connects riders to Hartford, New Haven, and Springfield. For a commuter or a college student, skipping highway traffic can be a real gift.
Beyond the rails, Berlin is known for its history as a center of tinsmithing in the late 1700s. Peddlers carried Berlin tinware across the young country, which is a neat bit of trivia to share at dinner.
Today, the town includes the villages of Kensington and East Berlin, each with its own small-town flavor. Lamentation Mountain and Ragged Mountain offer hiking for anyone who wants a view after a busy week.
With Route 9 also running through town, getting around is straightforward whether you drive or ride.
4. Rocky Hill
Here is a fun fact: the oldest continuously operating ferry in the country, according to the state, crosses the Connecticut River from Rocky Hill. It has carried people between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury since 1655, usually running in the warmer months.
Old traditions aside, Rocky Hill has been a fast changer. The town grew from roughly 17,900 residents in 2000 to about 20,800 in 2020, helped by new apartments, senior living options, and office space along its main roads.
Many people like how close everything feels. Interstate 91 runs through town, so Hartford is about a 15-minute drive, and shopping along the Silas Deane Highway covers most daily needs.
Dinosaur State Park adds a wow factor few towns can match. At 400 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, a geodesic dome protects hundreds of dinosaur footprints left about 200 million years ago.
The park also has trails and seasonal programs, and checking current hours before you go is a smart move.
Families will find parks and a community center that hosts classes and events. For newcomers who want suburban convenience with a few surprising stories, Rocky Hill delivers a lot in a small package.
5. Cheshire
Known for years as the Bedding Plant Capital of state, Cheshire has a long-standing love of gardens and greenhouses. That green streak still shows in its tidy yards, nurseries, and spring flower displays.
The town counted about 29,000 residents in 2020, and housing demand has stayed strong. Families are often drawn by its schools and its location between New Haven and Hartford along Interstate 691 and Route 10.
One of the best features for daily life is the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. This paved path follows an old canal and railroad route, and in Cheshire it passes Lock 12 Historical Park, where a restored canal lock gives a glimpse of 1800s travel.
Biking it on a fall afternoon is hard to beat.
Families can also visit the Barker Character, Comic and Cartoon Museum at 1188 Highland Avenue, Cheshire, CT 06410. Shelves of toys, lunch boxes, and cartoon collectibles make it a cheerful trip for kids and grown-ups alike.
Cheshire also has plenty of parks and a community pool complex used for swimming lessons and meets. With its blend of greenery, trail access, and convenient roads, the town keeps showing up on lists of places families want to call home.
6. Newington
Newington can be easy to underestimate. Drive beyond the busy Berlin Turnpike, though, and a much fuller picture starts to emerge.
The town counted 30,536 residents in the 2020 Census, and its central location keeps Hartford and New Britain within easy reach.
Transportation improved considerably when CTfastrak opened in 2015, bringing dedicated bus rapid transit service through Newington and strengthening connections with surrounding communities.
Mill Pond Park offers a change of pace. Its waterfall is one of the town’s recognizable landmarks, while the surrounding park provides space for recreation and community gatherings.
The annual Life. Be in It. Extravaganza also brings festivities to the park each summer.
History appears in unexpected corners, too. The Kellogg-Eddy House dates to 1808 and preserves a look at local life from generations ago.
Visitors can explore the historic property at 679 Willard Avenue, although tour availability should be checked before making the trip.
Meanwhile, the Berlin Turnpike remains a major shopping and dining corridor. Head away from it and quieter residential streets quickly take over.
With parks, transit connections and plenty of everyday conveniences close by, Newington manages to offer suburban breathing room without putting larger employment and entertainment centers far out of reach.
7. Cromwell
Every summer, top golfers land in Cromwell for the PGA TOUR’s Travelers Championship, and crowds pour into this small river town. Once the event ends, though, it is the steady flow of new residents that keeps Cromwell interesting.
The town grew from around 12,900 people in 2000 to about 14,200 in 2020. New housing, including apartments and senior communities, has helped it expand, and its spot near Route 9 and Interstate 91 makes commuting easy.
The golf course itself, TPC River Highlands, sits at 1 Golf Club Road, Cromwell, CT 06416, with views over the Connecticut River. Even if golf is not your game, watching the tournament buzz can be a fun summer outing.
Cromwell has a river history too. In the 1800s, the town was home to a busy riverfront and later became known for greenhouse growing, including a large rose operation.
Watrous Park and Pierson Park offer fields, playgrounds, and river views for quieter weekends. Shops and restaurants along Route 372 make errands simple.
Small enough to feel familiar yet growing with purpose, Cromwell is a good example of a town finding new energy without losing its roots.
8. Plainville
Small town. Handy location. Plainville packs quite a bit into less than 10 square miles, which may be part of why it appeals to people who want convenience without a sprawling hometown.
About 17,500 residents called it home at the 2020 Census. Interstate 84 and Route 72 pass nearby, giving drivers straightforward connections toward Hartford, Bristol and New Britain while keeping everyday errands relatively close.
Outdoor time is easy to work into the routine. Norton Park has athletic facilities and plenty of room to get outside, while the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail adds another option for cyclists and walkers traveling through the area.
Plainville also has a story that goes back well before modern highways. The Farmington Canal once carried goods and passengers through the region during the 1800s, before railroads transformed local transportation.
More of that history can be explored at the Plainville Historic Center, which occupies a former school building at 29 Pierce Street. Its collections cover local industry, community life and generations of change.
For such a compact community, Plainville manages to keep transportation, recreation and local history remarkably close together. to make the center even more inviting. For a small footprint, Plainville packs in plenty.
9. Southington
Apple picking season turns Southington into one of the busiest spots in central parts of the state. The town’s orchards and its long-running Apple Harvest Festival, held each fall, have made it famous for crisp fruit and hometown fun.
Growth has been just as notable. Southington climbed to about 43,500 residents in the 2020 census, up from roughly 39,700 in 2000, making it one of the larger suburbs in the region.
New homes and businesses along Queen Street and near Interstate 84 have helped fuel that rise.
Families often pick Southington for its mix of space and services. Downtown has seen recent improvements, with shops, eateries, and a town green that hosts concerts and events.
Outdoor fans get plenty of choices. The Farmington Canal Heritage Trail runs through town, and Mount Southington offers skiing and snowboarding in winter at 396 Mount Vernon Road, Southington, CT 06489.
Snow conditions and hours change, so checking ahead is wise.
Hikers can also explore Ragged Mountain and the Metacomet Trail nearby for rocky ledges and wide views. Whether you are drawn by orchards, slopes, or convenient highways, Southington keeps finding ways to welcome newcomers.
10. Brookfield
Lake life is a big selling point in Brookfield. Candlewood Lake, the largest lake in state, touches the town’s northwest edge, giving residents easy access to boating, fishing, and summer swims.
Brookfield grew to about 17,500 residents in the 2020 census, up from roughly 16,500 in 2010. A large part of that came from new apartments and townhouses in the Four Corners area, where the town has worked to build a walkable town center.
The Brookfield Craft Center, at 286 Whisconier Road, Brookfield, CT 06804, is a creative highlight. It offers classes in pottery, woodworking, jewelry, and more, held in historic buildings near the Still River.
Getting around is simple. Route 7 and Route 202 pass through town, and Danbury, with its shopping and train service, sits right next door.
Commuters headed toward New York often appreciate that head start.
Parks and trails round out daily life, including the Still River Greenway, a paved path that is handy for walks and bike rides. A lake on one side, a growing village center on the other, and quiet neighborhoods in between make Brookfield a fitting place to end this list.
