Bridgeport is the most populous city in Connecticut with a population of 144,229 as of the 2020 census. Located in Fairfield County at the mouth of the Pequonnock River on Long Island Sound, it is part of the Greater New York metropolitan area. Once a major manufacturing center, Bridgeport has gone through periods of economic decline but remains an important regional center for banking, business, and education.
Population
According to the Wikipedia page on Bridgeport, the city reached its peak population of more than 160,000 in the 1950s. Since then, suburbanization, industrial restructuring, and overall regional decline of manufacturing has led to population losses. However, in recent years Bridgeport has started to stabilize and generate new economic activity.
Bridgeport is ethnically diverse, with sizeable Black, Hispanic, and Italian-American communities. Nearly 40% of residents are foreign born, contributing to a rich cultural fabric in the city. Immigration has helped offset some of the population declines over the past half century.
Economy and Major Employers
Over the decades, Bridgeport has seen most of its large factories and plants shutter, forcing the local economy to reinvent itself. According to the city government website, the largest employers today are in education, healthcare, social services, retail, and manufacturing.
Major companies headquartered in Bridgeport include People’s United Bank, one of the largest regional banking companies in the Northeast with over $60 billion in assets. Bridgeport Hospital, part of the Yale New Haven Health System, employs thousands in the city. Other major employers include St. Vincent’s Medical Center, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport Public Schools, CT Transit, Bass Pro Shops, and Cherry Hill Manor.
While no longer home to many large factories, advanced manufacturing remains an important part of the economy. Bridgeport Machines is a leading maker of computer-controlled machine tools. Other manufacturing companies producing everything from electrical components to sporting goods are located in the region.
In recent years Bridgeport has worked to attract new investment and development, particularly in downtown. In 2017, Workpoint, a flexible shared office space for startups and entrepreneurs, opened in a newly renovated building. More housing, stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues have helped revitalize the downtown area.
Attractions and Landmarks
As Connecticut’s largest city, Bridgeport offers a number of attractions and landmarks for visitors to enjoy.
Right along the Long Island Sound, Seaside Park is one of Bridgeport’s most beloved public parks. Stretching over 375 acres, it features picnic groves, sports fields, a swimming area, and playgrounds. The park hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the summer.
Art lovers can visit the Housatonic Museum of Art located on the campus of Housatonic Community College. With over 900 pieces in its permanent collection, the museum has impressive holdings of pop art and works by African-American and Latino artists.
As a center of innovation, Bridgeport is proud of inventors such as P.T. Barnum, who perfected mass entertainment, and Gustave Whitehead, who designed early airplane prototypes. The Barnum Museum celebrates the city’s history as “The Park City.”
Bridgeport has several National Historic Landmarks that are open for tours, including the PT Barnum House, the St. Mary’s by the Sea church designed by notable architect Cass Gilbert, and the Beardsley Park Zoo, one of the first publicly funded zoos in the United States.
Sports
Bridgeport has a rich sports history and avid fan base. Many fans cheer on the Bridgeport Islanders, the city’s minor league hockey team that plays at the Webster Bank Arena.
As part of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, the Bridgeport Bluefish have been playing at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard since 1998. Over the years, Bridgeport has also hosted various minor league baseball teams.
Youth sports are hugely popular in the city, especially basketball, baseball, and soccer. Top high school teams square off in spirited rivalries that bring the community together.
Bridgeport native James Blake became a world- renowned professional tennis player, showing that the city could produce champions. The annual James Blake Foundation Tennis Event helps fund college scholarships for deserving youth in Bridgeport.
Staying Connected
To keep up with everything happening in Bridgeport, connect with the city government on Facebook. Local news and events can be found at BridgeportCT.gov.
From concerts and festivals to sports events and city meetings, there’s always something going on in Connecticut’s largest and most diverse city. Bridgeport continues to transform itself while holding onto its proud history and spirit of community.