Greater New Haven is the
metropolitan areaA metropolitan area is a large population center consisting of a large metropolis and its adjacent zone of influence, or of more than one closely adjoining neighboring central cities and their zone of influence...
whose extent includes those towns in the U.S. state of
ConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and New York to the west and south ....
that share an economic, social, political, and historical focus on the city of
New HavenNew Haven is the second-largest municipality in Connecticut, after Bridgeport and just ahead of Hartford, with a core population of about 124,000 people. "New Haven" may also refer to the wider Greater New Haven area, which has nearly 600,000 inhabitants in the immediate area...
. It occupies the south-central portion of the state in a radius around New Haven. The region is known for its educational and economic connections to the academic landmark of
Yale UniversityYale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut, and a member of the Ivy League. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Yale has produced many notable alumni, including five...
, its vibrant Italian-American culture and cuisine, the oceanside recreation and beach-community feel of the shoreline towns east of New Haven, and the Trap Rock landscapes stretching north from New Haven.
There are several official definitions of Greater New Haven.
Greater New Haven is the
metropolitan areaA metropolitan area is a large population center consisting of a large metropolis and its adjacent zone of influence, or of more than one closely adjoining neighboring central cities and their zone of influence...
whose extent includes those towns in the U.S. state of
ConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and New York to the west and south ....
that share an economic, social, political, and historical focus on the city of
New HavenNew Haven is the second-largest municipality in Connecticut, after Bridgeport and just ahead of Hartford, with a core population of about 124,000 people. "New Haven" may also refer to the wider Greater New Haven area, which has nearly 600,000 inhabitants in the immediate area...
. It occupies the south-central portion of the state in a radius around New Haven. The region is known for its educational and economic connections to the academic landmark of
Yale UniversityYale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut, and a member of the Ivy League. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Yale has produced many notable alumni, including five...
, its vibrant Italian-American culture and cuisine, the oceanside recreation and beach-community feel of the shoreline towns east of New Haven, and the Trap Rock landscapes stretching north from New Haven.
Definitions
There are several official definitions of Greater New Haven. There are twelve towns that are included in all definitions. These are:
- Bethany
Bethany is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 5,040 at the 2000 census. Bethany was first settled in 1717 but it was not until May 1832 that Bethany separated from Woodbridge to become incorporated as a town. This slightly remote, sparsely populated,...
- Branford
Branford is a shoreline town located on Long Island Sound in New Haven County, Connecticut, eight miles east of New Haven. The population was 29,089 in 2005, according to the U.S...
- East Haven
East Haven is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 28,189. The town is just 3 minutes from downtown New Haven...
- Guilford
Guilford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, that borders Madison, Branford, North Branford and Durham, and is situated on I-95 and the coast. The population was 21,398 at the 2000 census...
- Hamden
Hamden is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town's nickname is "The Land of the Sleeping Giant." Hamden is home to Quinnipiac University. The population was 58,180 according to the Census Bureau's 2005 estimates...
- Madison
Madison is a town in the southeastern corner of New Haven County, Connecticut, and it occupies a central location on the Connecticut Shoreline area. The population was 18,812 at the 2000 census....
- New Haven
New Haven is the second-largest municipality in Connecticut, after Bridgeport and just ahead of Hartford, with a core population of about 124,000 people. "New Haven" may also refer to the wider Greater New Haven area, which has nearly 600,000 inhabitants in the immediate area...
(central city)
- North Branford
North Branford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,906 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 26.6 square miles , of which 24.9 square miles is land and 1.7 square miles is water...
- North Haven
North Haven is a suburban town in New Haven County, Connecticut on the outskirts of New Haven, Connecticut. North Haven is less than 10 minutes from downtown New Haven and Yale University. It is also near Quinnipiac University and Sleeping Giant State Park. It has easy access to I-91 and Route 15...
- Orange
Orange is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,233 at the 2000 census. A 2007 Census Bureau estimate puts the population at 13,813. The town is governed by a Board of Selectmen.- History :...
- Wallingford
Wallingford is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 43,026 at the 2000 census.- History :Wallingford was established on October 10, 1667, when the Connecticut General Assembly authorized the "making of a village on the east river" to 38 planters and freemen...
- West Haven
West Haven is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 52,721.-History:...
New Haven Service Delivery Area
A service delivery area is a geographical area within which employment and training services are provided under the Job Training Partnership Act. This definition contains 14 towns and additionally includes the towns of Clinton and
WoodbridgeWoodbridge is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,983 at the 2000 census. It is one of the wealthiest towns in Connecticut, ranking 16th in the state in terms of per capita income, and is home to many of the faculty of Yale University.- History :Woodbridge...
.
South Central Region
The South Central Region is an officially designated region of Connecticut administered by a regional council of governments. The regional council carries out land use, infrastructure, and long-term economic planning for the member towns. This definition contains 15 towns and includes the towns/cities of
MeridenMeriden is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 59,653.- History :...
,
MilfordMilford is a city in southwestern New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located between Bridgeport and New Haven. The population was 50,594 at the 2000 census. The city contains the incorporated borough of Woodmont and the unincorporated village of Devon. The current mayor of Milford is...
, and Woodbridge.
New Haven Labor Market Area
A labor market area, as defined by the U.S.
Bureau of Labor StatisticsThe Bureau of Labor Statistics , a unit of the United States Department of Labor, is the principal fact-finding agency for the U.S. government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is an independent national statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and...
, is an economically integrated area within which individuals can reside and find employment within a reasonable distance or can readily change employment without changing their place of residence. This definition contains 17 towns including the towns of
CheshireCheshire is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 28,543 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Connecticut is located in Cheshire .- History :...
, Clinton,
KillingworthKillingworth is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The town's name can easily be confused with another Connecticut town, Killingly; or a Vermont ski area, Killington. The population was 6,018 at the 2000 census.- History :...
, Meriden, and Woodbridge.
New England City and Town Area
The New Haven NECTA is the set of towns containing the contiguous
urbanized areaUrban areas in the United States are defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as contiguous census block groups with a population density of at least with any census block groups around this core having a density of at least . Urban areas are delineated without regard to political boundaries. The census...
centered on the city of New Haven, plus additional outlying towns that have a sufficient number of people commuting into the central towns. This definition includes 22 towns, adding the following ten towns:
ChesterChester is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,743 at the 2000 census. The town center is also defined by the U.S...
, Cheshire, Clinton,
Deep RiverDeep River is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,610 at the 2000 census. The town center is also designated by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place...
,
DurhamDurham is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. Durham is a former farming village on the Coginchaug River in central Connecticut. The population was 6,627 at the 2000 census. Every autumn, the town hosts the Durham Fair, the largest volunteer agricultural fair in North...
,
EssexEssex is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 6,505 at the 2000 census. It is made up of three villages: Essex Village, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton.-The Great Attack:...
, Killingworth, Meriden,
Old SaybrookOld Saybrook is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 10,367 at the 2000 census. It contains the incorporated borough of Fenwick, as well as the census-designated places of Old Saybrook Center and Saybrook Manor.-History:...
, and
WestbrookWestbrook is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 6,292 at the 2000 census. The town center is also classified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place .-Geography:...
. This definition includes a significant portion of the
Lower Connecticut River ValleyThe Lower Connecticut River Valley is a region of the state of Connecticut focused around the juncture where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound. It includes towns in southern Middlesex County and the western edge of New London County...
, which is not usually included in local definitions of Greater New Haven. As of the 2000 Census, the NECTA had a population of 571,310.
Metropolitan Statistical Area
The New Haven MSA is the set of
countiesIn the United States, a county is a local level of government below the state . Counties are used in 48 of the 50 states, while Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. These are considered "county-equivalents", as are some cities not designated as part of a county. The U.S...
containing the contiguous urbanized area centered on the city of New Haven. The MSA consists of the entirety of
New Haven CountyNew Haven County is located in the south central part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. In 2000, the population was 824,008. Two of the state's largest cities, New Haven and Waterbury, are part of New Haven County....
with 27 towns. This definition, while consistent with national definitions of
metropolitan areasIn the United States, the Office of Management and Budget has produced a formal definition of metropolitan areas. These are referred to as "Metropolitan Statistical Areas" and "Combined Statistical Areas" . An earlier version of the MSA was the "Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area" . MSAs are...
, includes the city of
WaterburyWaterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford...
and its southern and eastern suburbs, which are not usually included in local definitions of Greater New Haven. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the New Haven MSA had a population of 846,766 as of 2005. The New Haven MSA is also included in the wider labor market region of the
New York metropolitan areaThe New York metropolitan area, also known as Metropolitan New York, Greater New York, or the Tri-State Region, is the most populous metropolitan area in the United States and is also one of the most populous in the world. The metropolitan area is defined by the U.S...
.