Connecticut's Latino Population by the Numbers: What the Data Shows Ahead of November

Connecticut's Latino population has grown steadily over the past decade, and new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau offer the clearest picture yet of where that community lives, how large it has become, and what it could mean for the November 3 election.

According to the 2020–2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates (Table B03001), approximately 600,000 people of Hispanic or Latino origin now live in Connecticut — roughly 16 percent of the state's total population. That share has risen from about 14 percent in the 2015–2019 estimates, reflecting both natural growth and continued migration from Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Central and South America.

"Approximately 600,000 people of Hispanic or Latino origin now live in Connecticut — roughly 16 percent of the state's total population."

Where Connecticut's Latino Community Lives

The Latino population is concentrated in Connecticut's larger cities. Hartford has the highest share, with Latinos making up more than 44 percent of the city's residents. Bridgeport and New Haven each have Latino populations exceeding 35 percent of their respective totals. Waterbury, New Britain, and Meriden also have significant Latino communities, each above 30 percent.

Suburban towns have seen notable growth as well. Communities in Fairfield County, the Greater Hartford area, and the Naugatuck Valley have all recorded increases in Latino residents over the five-year survey period, according to the ACS data.

Origins and Diversity Within the Community

Connecticut's Latino population is not monolithic. Puerto Ricans represent the largest subgroup, accounting for roughly 40 percent of the state's Hispanic or Latino residents. Mexican-origin residents make up approximately 10 percent, while people of Ecuadorian, Dominican, Colombian, Guatemalan, and Salvadoran origin each represent meaningful shares of the total.

This diversity matters politically. Puerto Ricans, as U.S. citizens by birth, are immediately eligible to vote upon establishing Connecticut residency. Other groups include both naturalized citizens and non-citizen residents, meaning the voting-eligible share of the Latino population differs from the raw population figures.

Political Significance Heading Into November

With Governor Ned Lamont and Republican challenger Ryan Fazio competing in a race that polls show within reach, Latino voters in Connecticut's urban centers could play a decisive role. Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven together account for a substantial share of the state's Democratic base, and turnout among Latino voters in those cities will be closely watched.

Both campaigns have made outreach to Latino communities a stated priority. Lamont's campaign has emphasized his administration's record on healthcare access and education funding, issues that resonate in communities with high proportions of working families. Fazio has focused on affordability and electricity costs — concerns that cut across demographic lines in a state where energy bills have risen sharply.

A Note on the Data

The figures cited in this article come from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2020–2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates, Table B03001, "Hispanic or Latino Origin by Specific Origin." City figures use Connecticut municipal data. These are resident population estimates, not counts of registered voters or likely voters. Actual voter turnout will depend on registration rates, mobilization efforts, and election-day conditions.

The New England Voice will continue reporting on the 2026 Connecticut governor's race and the communities shaping its outcome.