Hartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut, and is home to approximately 123,400 people as of 2021 according to the Wikipedia page on Hartford. Nicknamed the “Insurance Capital of the World”, Hartford is situated on the Connecticut River and has played an important role in American history going back to its founding in 1637.
Population and Demographics
According to the 2020 Census, Hartford had a population of 123,400 people. The racial makeup of the city was 29.8% White, 33.6% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 29.3% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. 43.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The median age in Hartford is 31.2 years old. 24.7% of the population is under age 18 while 12.7% is aged 65 or older. There are 47,784 households in the city with an average household size of 2.54 people.
Hartford saw its population peak in 1950 when it reached over 177,000 residents. Urban decline in the late 20th century led to population losses, but recently the population has stabilized and even seen slight increases again in the past decade.
Economy and Major Employers
As mentioned already, Hartford is well-known as the “Insurance Capital of the World” thanks to the many insurance companies headquartered there. Major employers headquartered in Hartford include The Travelers Companies, Cigna, Aetna, Hartford Funds, InfinitiCare, and Stanley Black & Decker among others.
The largest employers in Hartford are:
- Aetna
- Travelers
- Hartford Hospital
- United Technologies
- Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
- State of Connecticut
- Hartford Public Schools
- City of Hartford
- University of Hartford
- Saint Francis Hospital
Other major industries include financial services, healthcare, higher education, and manufacturing. Tourism is also an important economic driver for the city.
Despite being the capital of the wealthy state of Connecticut, Hartford struggles with high poverty rates. Around 30% of the city’s population lives below the poverty line. Efforts are ongoing to revitalize the economy and improve socioeconomic conditions in the city.
Colleges and Universities
Hartford is home to several higher education institutions. These include:
- University of Connecticut Hartford Campus
- Trinity College
- University of Hartford
- Capital Community College
- Hartford Seminary
The presence of these institutions adds an academic and cultural influence to the city’s character.
Sports Teams
Despite its relatively small size, Hartford has several professional sports teams. These include:
- Hartford Wolf Pack – Minor league hockey team affiliated with the NHL’s New York Rangers
- Hartford Athletic – Professional soccer team in the USL Championship league
- Connecticut Sun – Professional women’s basketball team in the WNBA
The city previously had several major league teams including the Whalers NHL team that became the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997 when they relocated.
Museums and Attractions
Some of the top attractions and points of interest in Hartford include:
- Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art – Oldest continuously operating public art museum in the US, founded in 1842.
- Connecticut Science Center – Large science museum with exhibits on space, technology, and more.
- Mark Twain House & Museum – 19-room home where author Mark Twain lived from 1874 to 1891.
- Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library – History museum with over 1.5 million items in its collection.
- Riverfront Recapture – Organization that has redeveloped Hartford’s riverfront with pedestrian walkways, events, and more.
- The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts – Premier performing arts venue that hosts Broadway shows, concerts, and other events.
Hartford’s rich history provides plenty for visitors to see and do when visiting Connecticut’s capital city.
City Government
Hartford has a mayor-council form of government. The current mayor is Luke Bronin, who was elected in 2015. The city council consists of nine members from different districts around Hartford.
Some of the main departments within Hartford’s city government include Public Health & Human Services, Development Services, Fire Department, Police Department, and Finance Department.
Residents elect the mayor and city council members. Hartford uses a strong-mayor system that concentrates executive power in the mayor’s office.
Learn more about Hartford’s city government on the official city website.
Facebook Community
Hartford has an active community on Facebook. The city government’s official Facebook page provides updates on local events, programs, and news relevant to residents. There are also many public groups where locals can discuss events, recommendations, classified ads, and anything else pertaining to the city.
With over 36,000 followers, the Hartford Facebook page is a lively virtual community for engagement between the city government, businesses, and residents.
Final Thoughts
Hartford has a long and storied history, dating back to colonial times. Despite experiencing hardships in past decades, Hartford retains its identity as Connecticut’s capital and an important New England city. Ongoing revitalization efforts aim to boost the economy, lower crime, improve education, and raise the standard of living for Hartford residents.