UNRANKED · POP 329,259
⚠ LIMITED DATA
Connecticut replaced its 8 counties with 9 planning regions in 2022. Federal data sources (Zillow, BEA, BLS) still report under the old county FIPS codes, so this planning region has incomplete data coverage. This page is not included in the Boom Town Index rankings.
The Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, encompassing municipalities like Bridgeport, Fairfield, and Stratford, is known for its access to the Long Island Sound and extensive park systems. Bridgeport, often called "Park City," has 45 parks and a master plan to connect its green spaces and waterfronts. The region is located in southwestern Connecticut, roughly 60 miles from both New York City and Hartford. Commuters have options including I-95, the Merritt Parkway, and Metro-North commuter rail service to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. The area offers a blend of urban, suburban, and rural communities with various outdoor recreation opportunities, including beaches, hiking and biking trails like the Pequonnock River Trail, and the Beardsley Zoo.
Life in the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region offers diverse communities, from the urban environment of Bridgeport to the more residential Fairfield. The region's economy has seen a 5% net increase in jobs between 2010 and 2020, contrasting with slower growth in other parts of Connecticut. Manufacturing, healthcare, and retail/services are key employment sectors. Sikorsky, a military helicopter manufacturer, is a significant employer in Stratford. The area's transportation network, including the deepwater Port of Bridgeport, supports its economic activity. Local school districts include Bridgeport, Fairfield, and Trumbull.
Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 15.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
The data is not encouraging — Greater Bridgeport Planning Region scores just 0/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #None of 1001 counties. Job growth at +0.1% and median household income of $89,667 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $428,800 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,546/month on average.
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's population is growing — up +0.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.1%). In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.35% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Greater Bridgeport Planning Region has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.