Town · Connecticut

North Canaan, Connecticut

North Canaan, town, in Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut. North Canaan had 3,231 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,211 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,221 (±40). GEOID 0916054030.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

3,231

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,211 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,221 ±40

Median household income

$71,976

±$26,329 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $95,781

Median home value

$267,300

±$58,667 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $366,900

Median gross rent

$1,146

±$152 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $1,488

Where is North Canaan and what county is it in?

North Canaan is a town in Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut. It covers 19.4 square miles of land, 166 residents per square mile in 2020.

One place lies inside North Canaan: Canaan (CDP, 1,190 in 2020).

North Canaan is in the Torrington, CT micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).

North Canaan is the same area as Census Tract 2602 of Northwest Hills Planning Region: the tract's figures are North Canaan's own.

North Canaan (marked with a dot) in Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files

How many people live in North Canaan, and is it growing?

The Census Bureau estimates that 3,231 people lived in North Canaan on July 1, 2025, up 0.7% since 2020, slower than Connecticut (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 3,211 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,221 (±40).

  • July 2020→2021 +17 (3,216)
  • 2021→2022 −7 (3,209)
  • 2022→2023 +2 (3,211)
  • 2023→2024 +11 (3,222)
  • 2024→2025 +9 (3,231)
ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (counts) with the change from 2015-2019
MeasureNorth CanaanNorthwest Hills Planning RegionConnecticutChange since 2015-2019
Total population3,221±40113,2163,624,508–
Households1,316±16247,8451,434,007–
Average household size2.37±0.292.322.46–
Housing units1,530±16255,7521,541,822–

North Canaan's population since 2000

From 3,350 in 2000 to 3,231 in 2025: down 3.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for North Canaan 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.

  • 2000 Census 3,350
  • 2005 (estimate) 3,377
  • 2010 Census 3,315
  • 2015 (estimate) 3,328
  • 2020 Census 3,211
  • 2025 (estimate) 3,231

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 North Canaan?

The median resident of North Canaan is 35.7 years old; 26.5% are under 18 and 14.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.2%.

Age, origin, education and moves, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
MeasureNorth CanaanNorthwest Hills Planning RegionConnecticutChange since 2015-2019
Median age35.7±5.747.141.1–
Under 18 years26.5%±6.2 pts17.8%20.2%–
65 years and over14.4%±4.3 pts23.1%18.5%–
Male51.0%±4.7 pts49.9%49.1%–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)6.2%±5.0 pts8.9%18.3%–
White alone, not Hispanic90.3%±6.2 pts81.8%61.9%–
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic0.2%±0.5 pts2.4%9.8%–
Asian alone, not Hispanic0.0%±1.3 pts2.1%4.7%–
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic0.0%±1.3 pts0.0%0.1%–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic0.0%±1.3 pts0.0%0.0%–
Two or more races, not Hispanic3.2%±3.6 pts4.2%4.3%–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic0.0%±1.3 pts0.6%0.9%–
Born outside the United States4.7%±3.3 pts9.5%15.7%–
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)6.7%±3.8 pts11.4%23.4%–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)5.1%±2.8 pts5.8%4.7%–
With a disability7.9%±3.8 pts12.3%12.2%–
No health insurance coverage8.4%±4.9 pts3.9%5.4%–
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)95.2%±2.6 pts94.2%91.5%–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)23.4%±7.6 pts39.4%42.5%–
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)7.1%±3.5 pts17.0%19.2%–
Lived in the same house a year earlier89.7%±8.3 pts90.7%89.2%–
Moved from another state in the past year4.9%±3.1 pts1.9%2.6%–

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 North Canaan earn?

Half of North Canaan's 1,316 households earn less than $71,976 a year (±$26,329), against $93,551 in Northwest Hills Planning Region and $95,781 in Connecticut. 13.4% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; 2015-2019 dollars adjusted with the R-CPI-U-RS
MeasureNorth CanaanNorthwest Hills Planning RegionConnecticutChange since 2015-2019
Median household income$71,976±$26,329$93,551$95,781–
Mean household income$106,580±$21,250$131,679$138,744–
Per capita income$44,186±$8,643$56,236$55,915–
People below the poverty line13.4%±6.2 pts8.8%10.0%–
Children under 18 below the poverty line18.1%±11.7 pts9.2%13.0%–
Households receiving SNAP4.4%±2.8 pts8.6%11.8%–
Households with a computer97.5%±2.3 pts95.7%95.4%–
Households with a broadband subscription94.9%±3.4 pts93.4%92.2%–

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 North Canaan?

Owners occupy 61.7% of North Canaan's occupied homes and renters 38.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $267,300 by its owner (±$58,667). The median renter pays $1,146 a month including utilities.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Home values are owners' own estimates.
MeasureNorth CanaanNorthwest Hills Planning RegionConnecticutChange since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)$267,300±$58,667$335,600$366,900–
Median gross rent$1,146±$152$1,193$1,488–
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent20.9%±16.4 pts36.8%43.5%–
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage$1,800±$617$2,155$2,429–
Owner-occupied homes61.7%±11.1 pts76.3%66.5%–
Renter-occupied homes38.3%±11.1 pts23.7%33.5%–
Housing units1,530±16255,7521,541,822–
Homeowner vacancy rate0.0%±4.8 pts0.8%0.8%–
Rental vacancy rate0.0%±8.1 pts3.1%4.3%–
Single-family detached homes74.4%±10.7 pts75.4%58.6%–
Mobile homes3.7%±5.7 pts0.4%0.7%–
Built 2020 or later0.0%±2.7 pts0.8%0.7%–
Built 2010 to 20197.7%±8.3 pts2.3%4.5%–
Built 1939 or earlier38.3%±10.0 pts26.9%20.2%–
Households with no vehicle6.7%±4.7 pts5.4%8.8%–

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 North Canaan building?

Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in North Canaan in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 2.0 across Connecticut.

  • 2019 1 units
  • 2020 1 units
  • 2021 0 units
  • 2022 0 units
  • 2023 0 units
  • 2024 3 units
  • 2025 0 units

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 North Canaan work and get to work?

77.8% of North Canaan's workers drive alone and 12.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.4 minutes.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (workers 16 and over)
MeasureNorth CanaanNorthwest Hills Planning RegionConnecticutChange since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)66.3%±7.1 pts64.7%65.9%–
Unemployment rate8.6%±7.5 pts5.4%5.6%–
Drove alone to work77.8%±9.0 pts71.5%68.8%–
Carpooled5.3%±4.5 pts7.2%7.9%–
Public transportation0.0%±2.9 pts1.1%3.3%–
Walked4.7%±5.2 pts3.8%2.5%–
Worked from home12.1%±6.0 pts15.2%16.0%–
Mean travel time to work22.4 min±3.926.9 min26.5 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 North Canaan?

1 census tract lies mostly in North Canaan (2020 census blocks).

Census tracts in North Canaan, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
TractResidents, 2020-2024Median household incomeMedian home valueShare of tract in North Canaan
Tract 2602Northwest Hills Planning Region3,221 $71,976 $267,300100%

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 North Canaan) · Census block assignment files

How does North Canaan compare with other places in Connecticut?

By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, North Canaan is the 3,371st-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 120th-most populous of 142 in Connecticut.

North Canaan ranks 265th of 294 places in Connecticut with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.

North Canaan's rank in Connecticut (1 = highest): by population among the state's towns and townships with a 2025 estimate; by the other measures among places of 1,000+ residents with a reliable estimate
MeasureRankOf
Population, July 2025 estimate120th142
Growth 2020-2025 (PEP)146th167
Residents per square mile267th303
Median household income265th294
Per capita income245th303
Median home value255th300
Median gross rent236th266
Poverty rate28th202
Bachelor's degree or higher267th297
Median age281st301
Owner-occupied share248th300
Work from home212th279
Travel time to work255th302

North Canaan's figures with every place in Connecticut (CSV)

Every place in Connecticut, sortable · Compare North Canaan 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 North Canaan?

19 of the 57 figures for North Canaan 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 North Canaan 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.