Town · Connecticut
Branford, Connecticut
Branford, town, in South Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut. Branford had 28,724 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 28,273 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 28,217 (±32). GEOID 0917007310.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
28,724
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 28,273 · ACS 2020-2024: 28,217 ±32
Median household income
$105,225
±$6,607 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $95,781
Median home value
$401,200
±$21,232 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $366,900
Median gross rent
$1,565
±$111 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $1,488
Where is Branford and what county is it in?
Branford is a town in South Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut. It covers 21.8 square miles of land, 1,294 residents per square mile in 2020.
One place lies inside Branford: Branford Center (CDP, 6,026 in 2020).
Branford is in the New Haven, CT metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Branford, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 28,724 people lived in Branford on July 1, 2025, up 1.6% since 2020, slower than Connecticut (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 28,273 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 28,217 (±32).
| Measure | Branford | South Central Connecticut Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 28,217±32 | 570,598 | – |
| Households | 13,178±528 | 230,673 | – |
| Average household size | 2.12±0.09 | 2.38 | – |
| Housing units | 14,254±537 | 248,267 | – |
Branford's population since 2000
From 28,683 in 2000 to 28,724 in 2025: up 0.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Branford as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Branford?
The median resident of Branford is 54.2 years old; 14.1% are under 18 and 30.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 82.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.5%. 10.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Branford | South Central Connecticut Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 54.2±2.1 | 40.2 | – |
| Under 18 years | 14.1%±1.8 pts | 19.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 30.3%±2.6 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Male | 48.8%±1.6 pts | 48.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.5%±2.4 pts | 19.5% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 82.9%±3.4 pts | 58.5% | – |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.3%±1.3 pts | 13.0% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.2%±1.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6%±1.1 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.5%±2.3 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.0%±2.9 pts | 22.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.2%±1.1 pts | 4.5% | – |
| With a disability | 12.2%±1.7 pts | 11.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.5%±1.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.8%±1.1 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 51.5%±3.1 pts | 42.0% | – |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 23.7%±2.4 pts | 20.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.3%±2.0 pts | 87.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 2.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Branford earn?
Half of Branford's 13,178 households earn less than $105,225 a year (±$6,607), against $88,197 in South Central Connecticut Planning Region and $95,781 in Connecticut. 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Branford | South Central Connecticut Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $105,225±$6,607 | $88,197 | – |
| Mean household income | $152,918±$10,756 | $121,469 | – |
| Per capita income | $71,025±$5,098 | $49,766 | – |
| People below the poverty line | 5.9%±2.0 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.0%±9.7 pts | 14.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.5%±1.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.4%±1.1 pts | 95.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.6%±1.4 pts | 92.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Branford?
Owners occupy 69.5% of Branford's occupied homes and renters 30.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $401,200 by its owner (±$21,232). The median renter pays $1,565 a month including utilities, and 43.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Branford | South Central Connecticut Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $401,200±$21,232 | $353,100 | – |
| Median gross rent | $1,565±$111 | $1,525 | – |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.0%±7.6 pts | 44.5% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,481±$122 | $2,377 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.5%±3.5 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Renter-occupied homes | 30.5%±3.5 pts | 39.5% | – |
| Housing units | 14,254±537 | 248,267 | – |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.9 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 55.9%±3.2 pts | 52.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.0%±1.2 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 18.5%±2.8 pts | 23.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.7%±1.4 pts | 11.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Branford building?
Builders took permits for 11 new housing units in Branford in 2025 (11 in single-family houses), 0.4 per 1,000 residents against 2.0 across Connecticut.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Branford work and get to work?
74.0% of Branford's workers drive alone and 16.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | Branford | South Central Connecticut Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.7%±2.9 pts | 65.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%±1.4 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 74.0%±3.7 pts | 69.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.3%±2.5 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.2%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±0.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.1%±3.5 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.5 min±2.3 | 23.5 min | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Branford?
7 census tracts lie mostly in Branford (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $73,600 (Tract 1841.01) to $183,611 (Tract 1846).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1847South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 5,699 | $107,780 |
| Tract 1841.01South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 5,496 | $73,600 |
| Tract 1843South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 4,413 | $103,611 |
| Tract 1842South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 4,409 | $79,209 |
| Tract 1844South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 2,916 | $107,059 |
| Tract 1846South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 2,763 | $183,611 |
| Tract 1845South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 2,521 | $140,313 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Branford) · Census block assignment files
How does Branford compare with other places in Connecticut?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Branford is the 380th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 18th-most populous of 142 in Connecticut.
Branford ranks 163rd of 294 places in Connecticut with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 18th | 142 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 109th | 167 |
| Residents per square mile | 103rd | 303 |
| Median household income | 163rd | 294 |
| Per capita income | 84th | 303 |
| Median home value | 125th | 300 |
| Median gross rent | 116th | 266 |
| Poverty rate | 111th | 202 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 114th | 297 |
| Median age | 22nd | 301 |
| Owner-occupied share | 215th | 300 |
| Work from home | 153rd | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 236th | 302 |
Branford's figures with every place in Connecticut (CSV)
Every place in Connecticut, sortable · Compare Branford with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Branford?
9 of the 57 figures for Branford on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Branford are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.