2026 BEST PLACES FOR BUSINESS | HBJ
HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM
| 11
MAJOR MARKETS | TOP 10
MAJOR MARKETS: 15,000 OR MORE JOBS (37 TOWNS)
#5 DANBURY
#6 MILFORD
82.8
80.4
88.9
84.6
68.5
70.4
OVERALL
SCORE
OVERALL
SCORE
MARKET
STRENGTH
MARKET
STRENGTH
TRANSACTION
COST &
PROCESS
TRANSACTION
COST &
PROCESS
WHY IT RANKED HERE: Danbury combines a large
employment base with robust business growth and one
of western Connecticut's strongest commercial markets.
WHY IT RANKED HERE: A sizable employment and
business base, strong regional access and relatively
favorable development conditions give Milford a well-
rounded commercial market.
SIGNATURE STAT: +9.3% — Business registrations grew
9.3% from 2021 to 2025, strong momentum for a major
market.
SIGNATURE STAT: 27,310 jobs — Milford has a deep
South-Central employment base.
MARKET SNAPSHOT
MARKET SNAPSHOT
Jobs
Jobs
39,070
27,310
Business establishments
Business establishments
10,074
6,111
Commercial tax base
Commercial tax base
22%
16%
Population within 45 minutes
Population within 45 minutes
1.41 million
1.64 million
5-year avg mill rate
5-year avg mill rate
25.72
28.03
Business registration growth (2021–25)
Business registration growth (2021–25)
+9.3%
+5.4%
OUT OF 100
OUT OF 100
OUT OF 100
OUT OF 100
MARKET SNAPSHOTS
Where Commercial
Property Has the
Biggest Footprint
MUNICIPALITIES WITH THE LARGEST
SHARE OF THEIR TAX BASE MADE UP OF
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY
Source: Connecticut Commercial Opportunity Index
RANK MUNICIPALITY
COMMERCIAL
TAX BASE
1 BLOOMFIELD 35%
2 NEW LONDON 34%
3 WINDSOR 33%
4 WINDHAM 31%
5 WINDSOR LOCKS 31%
6 EAST WINDSOR 30%
7 NEW HAVEN 29%
T-8 NORTH HAVEN 28%
T-8 ROCKY HILL 28%
10 MANSFIELD 27%
Hartford, Connecticut | Adobe Stock
