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ABOUT THE REGION

Economic Overview

The Greater Bridgeport Area is an employment center with industry concentrations in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail/services. In fact, the region experienced a 5% net increase of jobs between 2010 and 2020 while Fairfield County and the rest of Connecticut experienced little or no growth.

Anecdotal evidence from local business leaders and real estate professionals suggests the Greater Bridgeport Area offers a comparatively affordable housing alternative to areas like lower Fairfield County, as well as strong transportation connectivity to all of the Tri-State Area. This demonstrates the area is poised to attract businesses of all sizes.

Employers can feel comfortable relocating valued employees to our area without fear of causing hardship. Those with an entrepreneurial bent will find ideal conditions for creating their own businesses and working closer to home.

Manufacturing remains one of the area’s primary employment sectors. With a consumer base largely outside the region, profits made and salaries paid generally come from money collected from outside the region, which is important to increasing the area’s wealth.

One of our area’s greatest strengths is our people. More than 175,000 area residents are within the prime working ages, between 20 and 64; another 80,000 are 19 and younger and being educated to join the workforce of tomorrow. Currently, more than 70% of adults in the Greater Bridgeport area have some college experience, exceeding the national average. With nearly 50% of our workforce having at least a bachelor’s degree and another 20% having some college training, the area’s labor pool can satisfy practically any employer’s requirements, from upper management, technical and office workers to skilled employees for the production line.

Currently, more than 70% of adults in the Greater Bridgeport area have some college experience, exceeding the national average.

  • How many people live in the Greater Bridgeport Area?

    The Greater Bridgeport area has a population in excess of 325,000 people.

  • How large is the Greater Bridgeport Area’s labor force?

    More than 150,000 adults in the Greater Bridgeport Area participate in the area’s labor market.

  • Are Connecticut and the Greater Bridgeport Area high-cost locations for business?

    Connecticut can compete
    with major U.S. markets. Connecticut’s business tax rate ranks 12th lowest in the U.S.

  • Is Connecticut highly unionized?

    Connecticut has one of the lower private sector unionization ratesin the U.S., in the 6%-7% range, lower than New York (13%), New Jersey (9%), and Rhode Island (9%), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  • What colleges and universities are in the Greater Bridgeport Area?

    The Greater Bridgeport Area is home to Housatonic Community College, Fairfield University, Sacred Heart University, and the University of Bridgeport.

The cost of living in the Greater Bridgeport Area is nearly 15% lower than in Boston and nearly 30% lower than New York City.