New London County Housing Fact Sheets
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Are homes in New London County, CT meeting the needs of the people who live and work there? The answer can determine whether or not communities in the region can thrive.
Everyone in New London County should be able to find an affordable home when they need one. That's how we ensure communities are stable, prosperous, and welcoming for people of all ages and income levels. But data shows that more and more households are struggling to afford to buy or rent homes in the region. Even households earning an average income for the region often struggle to afford to buy or rent. Why is that?
New fact sheets from the Center for Housing Opportunity Eastern Connecticut (CHO-EC) help answer these questions. These fact sheets examine housing and demographic data for every community in New London County. This data highlights several key trends impacting the region.
- Household composition has changed, but the type of homes we build has not. For example, a majority of households in many communities are composed of just one or two people. Yet the majority of homes in those communities have two or more bedrooms. As a result, there is a gap between the homes we have and the homes residents need.
- Single-family home prices have risen significantly, but the number of homes built annually has decreased. When communities do permit new homes, they are generally single-family homes, or (less often) homes in multifamily buildings with five or more units. Homes in buildings with two to four units, like condominiums, are rare.
- Although the overall population has been declining, the number of households is actually growing. As a result, the region requires more housing even though there are fewer people.
Even households earning an average income for New London County struggle to find housing they can afford.
The data in the sheets comes from the Eastern Connecticut Housing Needs Assessment, produced in 2024 by CHO-EC and Regional Plan Association. A housing needs assessment explores whether the homes in a community match the needs of that community. They examine who lives in the community (seniors, families, single adults, workers), how much people earn, what types of homes exist (sizes, types, prices), what homes cost, and more.
Franklin Family Size & Household Type
For example, in Franklin, more than 50% of households consist of just one or two people, yet less than 25% of homes have two bedrooms or less. This shows a mismatch between who lives in Franklin and the types of homes available. Further, a household in Franklin earning the area median income of about $89,900/year could afford a home priced around $298,000, but the median home in the town sells for over $360,000.
You know what needs to change. We can help you make it happen.
The Center for Housing Opportunity convenes a vast partner network of engaged residents and organizations to work towards a better housing future in Connecticut. Join our efforts to preserve, produce, and protect housing that is affordable for all.