2026 BEST PLACES FOR BUSINESS | HBJ
HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM
| 21
The Essex Steam Train. Photo | Jeff Schultes
SMALL MARKETS |
TOP 10
SMALL MARKETS: UNDER 5,000 JOBS (90 TOWNS).
#1 ESSEX #2 OXFORD
59.3 56.8
51.6 57.5
77.3 55.4
OVERALL
SCORE
OVERALL
SCORE
MARKET
STRENGTH
MARKET
STRENGTH
TRANSACTION
COST &
PROCESS
TRANSACTION
COST &
PROCESS
WHY IT RANKED HERE: Low property taxes,
favorable development conditions and a
strategic location along the Connecticut
River give Essex a competitive environment
for commercial investment.
WHY IT RANKED HERE: Rapid business
growth, relatively low property taxes and
access to a local airport help make Oxford an
increasingly active commercial market.
SIGNATURE STAT: 1,012 businesses — Essex
has more than 1,000 business establishments
despite its small size.
SIGNATURE STAT: 28% growth — Business
registrations grew 28% from 2021 to 2025,
the fastest growth among Connecticut's
small-market communities.
MARKET SNAPSHOT MARKET SNAPSHOT
Jobs Jobs
3,568 4,470
Business establishments Business establishments
1,012 1,403
Commercial tax base Commercial tax base
14% 12%
Population within 45 minutes Population within 45 minutes
985,121 1.7 million
5-year avg mill rate 5-year avg mill rate
20.87 23.54
Business registration growth
(2021–25)
Business registration growth
(2021–25)
+2.3% +27.5%
OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100
OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100
