2026 BEST PLACES FOR BUSINESS | HBJ
HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM
| 9
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MAJOR MARKETS | TOP 10
MAJOR MARKETS: 15,000 OR MORE JOBS (37 TOWNS)
MARKET SNAPSHOTS
Connecticut's Largest
Employment Centers
MUNICIPALITIES WITH THE
HIGHEST TOTAL EMPLOYMENT
RANK MUNICIPALITY JOBS
1 NEW HAVEN 84,498
2 HARTFORD 82,281
3 STAMFORD 71,615
4 BRIDGEPORT 43,635
5 NORWALK 42,297
6 GREENWICH 41,552
7 WATERBURY 39,952
8 DANBURY 39,070
9 GROTON 32,684
10 STRATFORD 32,305
Source: Connecticut Commercial Opportunity Index
#1 STAMFORD
#2 GREENWICH
88.5
85.4
94.8
85.7
73.8
84.8
OVERALL
SCORE
OVERALL
SCORE
MARKET
STRENGTH
MARKET
STRENGTH
TRANSACTION
COST &
PROCESS
TRANSACTION
COST &
PROCESS
WHY IT RANKED HERE: Stamford combines one of the
state's largest employment and business bases with
access to more than 4 million people within a 45-minute
drive, helping it earn the highest overall score.
WHY IT RANKED HERE: Low property taxes, strong
permitting performance and access to nearly 6.82 million
people within a 45-minute drive help make Greenwich
one of Connecticut's strongest commercial markets.
SIGNATURE STAT: 71,615 jobs — The largest private-
sector employment base in Fairfield County and one of
the largest in the state.
SIGNATURE STAT: 6.82 million people — Connecticut's
largest population within a 45-minute drive.
MARKET SNAPSHOT
MARKET SNAPSHOT
Jobs
Jobs
71,615
41,552
Business establishments
Business establishments
18,305
12,695
Commercial tax base
Commercial tax base
24%
13%
Population within 45 minutes
Population within 45 minutes
4.08 million
6.82 million
5-year avg mill rate
5-year avg mill rate
27.12
11.6
Business registration growth (2021–25)
Business registration growth (2021–25)
+4%
+7.3%
OUT OF 100
OUT OF 100
OUT OF 100
OUT OF 100
Stamford, Connecticut | Adobe Stock
