Northwest CT faces ‘considerable change’, report says

Northwest CT faces ‘considerable change’, report says

A cloud of uncertainty lingers over the future of the Northwest Corner as demographics continue to skew older, according to the recent report by Northwest CT Community Foundation.

John Coston

Northwest Connecticut is headed for “considerable change,” according to a new report by the Northwest CT Community Foundation that examines the trends in the region’s demographic, economic and education makeup.

In a report, an update from a ‘2017 Community Crossroads’ study, the foundation paints a picture of a region that faces a declining and aging population, dropping school enrollment and skyrocketing home prices that continue to outstrip moderate family incomes.

The 2025 outlook confirms that trends identified seven years ago have borne out — and are even more pronounced. NCCF, a charity located in Torrington that supports nonprofits and provides grant assistance and student scholarship opportunities, said that the goal of the community update is to help municipal planners and policymakers.

The report found that the region’s population will continue to drop. Besides the decline, overall the 20 towns in the Northwest Corner will be populated by more seniors and fewer pre-school and school-aged children, which translates into a continued decline in public school enrollment.

Student enrollment drop

The report found a gradual and consistent decline in student population over the period, noting a 12% drop — a deficit of 1,900 over a ten-year period.

In Region One, enrollment at Housatonic Valley Regional High School fell from 446 in 2015-’16 to 314 in 2023-’24, a decline of 132 or 30%.

The number of pre-school and school age children in the 20-town region trended downward, and the decrease exceeded forecasts. Those between birth and age 4 decreased by 9% — 397 fewer children — in a seven-year period.

Some Northwest Corner towns showed enrollment increases.

—Falls Village/Canaan reported an increase of four students.

—Cornwall counted five more students.

—Salisbury reported an increase of 29 students.

—Norfolk’s student enrollment dropped dramatically from 116 to 56, a 52% drop.

—Sharon also showed a deficit of 54 students over the period, a 34% decline.

—North Canaan had 16 fewer students, down 6%.

—Kent enrollment declined by 46, a 19% drop.

The trends show that birth rates will remain low and death rates will remain high.

Racial and ethnic change

The NCCF report also reported that the region is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. Asian, Black and Hispanic populations rose substantially, while the White population fell by 12% in the past seven years.

There was an unexpected increase in the number of young adults, including in the 25- to 39-year old group. Noting a “small but steady” increase in young adults of 13%, NCCF said that it was an unexpected and positive finding, but said continuation of the trend will depend on housing, job opportunities and work-at-home options.

On the economic front, the region also faces the prospect of fewer and fewer available and experienced workers, some of whom will be turning their backs on Northwest Connecticut for jobs outside the region.

Experienced worker issue

Experienced workers are expected to continue to decline, and more education and training will be required to obtain employment.

Four out of five workers were employed in a town outside their home town, and three quarters of workers commuted outside the 20-town region for employment.

“This trend brings into question the overall vitality of NWCT’s business environment and its capability for meeting the employment needs of its resident workforce,” NCCF wrote in the report.

The increase in the young adult group was led by a 41% increase in Torrington. The pandemic was cited as a possible cause due to remote and hybrid learning and working at home. Yet the NCCF study noted that the ongoing decrease in K-12 enrollments is a warning sign for the region’s future young adult cohort.

The number of experienced workers in the 40 to 54 year age group showed a sharp decline since 2015, and the purchasing power in this group also declined. Vocational/technical high school education or post-secondary education are viewed as necessary for workers to achieve long-term economic security.

A senior ‘explosion’

The senior “explosion” will challenge the capacity of social and healthcare services, NCCF says.

The aging of the region’s population will result in a 10% growth in the 65-plus population, meaning that the older adult population will be 25% greater in number than it was in 2015. The total 65-plus population is expected to reach 24,937 this year.

Litchfield County continued to experience migration out of the county, though it was lower than it was seven years ago. The most popular states for relocation were New York, Florida, Massachusetts, South Carolina, California and Arizona. In-migration from other Connecticut counties more than doubled since 2015, with New Haven and Fairfield Counties leading. NCCF noted that the impact of the pandemic is unknown.

Home values from 2013 to 2023 rose by 65% for a median increase of $171,816, while household incomes rose 22%.

Rising home prices

One quarter of the region’s housing units with a mortgage were owned by households earning $75,000 or less. Two thirds of those households were paying more than 30% of their income on housing, and the same was found for renters.

From 2017 to 2023, median home values rose accordingly:

—Falls Village/Canaan: $186, 467 to $324,432

—Cornwall: $383,592 to $607,987

—Salisbury: $473,369 to $807,848

—Sharon: $364,709 to $598,667

—North Canaan: $178,508 to $309,831

—Kent: $344,540 to $567,457

—Norfolk: $279,233 to $462,507

“In sum, the high cost of both homeownership and rental housing does not serve the region well for either persuading those aged 25 to 39 to remain in NWCT or for attracting that demographic to relocate here,” NCCF said.


The report can be found at www.yournccf.org

Latest News

Remembering George and Anne Phillips’ Edgewood restaurant in Amenia

The Edgewood Restaurant, a beloved Amenia roadside restaurant run by George and Anne Phillips, pictured during its peak years in the 1950s and ’60s.

Provided

With the recent death of George Phillips at 100, locals are remembering the Edgewood Restaurant, the Amenia supper club he and his wife, Anne Phillips, owned and operated together for more than two decades.

At the Edgewood, there were Delmonico steaks George carved in the basement, lobster tails from an infrared cooker, local trout from the stream outside the door, and a folded paper cup of butter, with heaping bowls of family-style potatoes and vegetables, plus a shot glass of crème de menthe to calm the stomach when the modest check arrived after dessert.

Keep ReadingShow less
Artist Alissa DeGregorio brings her work to Roxbury and New Milford

Alissa DeGregorio, a New Milford -based artist and designer, has pieces on display at Mine Hill Distillery.

Agnes Fohn
When I’m designing a book, I’m also the bridge between artist and author, the final step that pulls everything together.
— Alissa DeGregorio

A visit to Alissa DeGregorio Art, the website of the artist and designer, reveals the multiple talents she possesses.

Tabs for design, commissions, print club, and classes still reveal only part of her work.On the design page are examples of graphic and book design, including book covers illustrated by DeGregorio, along with samples of licensed products such as coloring pages and lunch boxes, and examples of prop design she has done for film.

Keep ReadingShow less

Agnes Martin at Dia:Beacon

Agnes Martin at Dia:Beacon

Minimalist works by Agnes Martin on display at Dia:Beacon.

D.H. Callahan

At Dia:Beacon, simplicity commands attention.

On Saturday, April 4, the venerated modern art museum — located at 3 Beekman St. in Beacon, NY — opened an exhibition of works by the middle- to late-20th-century minimalist artist Agnes Martin.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Falls Village exhibit honors life and work of Priscilla Belcher

Hunt Library in Falls Village will present a commemorative show of paintings and etchings by the late Priscilla Belcher of Falls Village.

Lydia Downs

Priscilla Belcher, a Canaan resident who was known for her community involvement and willingness to speak out, will be featured in a posthumous exhibition at the ArtWall at the Hunt Library from April 25 through May 15.

An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 25. The show will commemorate her life and work and will include watercolors and etchings. Belcher died in November 2025 at the age of 95.

Keep ReadingShow less
Crescendo’s 'Stepping Into Song' blends Jewish, Argentine traditions

The sounds of Argentine tango and Jewish folk traditions will collide in a rare cross-cultural performance April 25 and 26, when Berkshire’s Crescendo presents the choral program “Stepping Into Song.”

Christine Gevert, Crescendo’s founding artistic director, described the concert as “a world-class, diverse cultural experience” pairing “A Jewish Cantata” with Martin Palmeri’s “Misa a Buenos Aires.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Treats, tricks and training that sticks:
6 smart tips for training a new puppy or dog
Dr. Gary Richter, America’s Favorite Vet, blends conventional and holistic care.
Provided

Bringing home a new puppy or newly adopted dog is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming once the training begins.

The good news is that training does not have to be complicated. Here are six of the best techniques to keep in mind when training a new puppy or dog:

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.