Growing Latino Population Surveyed Nationally

Connecticut’s Hispanic and Latino population grew nearly 50 percent to about 479,000 between 2000 and 2010, according to the U.S. Census, in data released a year ago.  Now, a national survey by the Pew Hispanic Center delves into the views of the nation's fastest growing population. By a ratio of more than two-to-one (69% versus 29%), survey respondents say that the more than 50 million Latinos in the U.S. have many different cultures rather than a common culture. Respondents express a strong, shared connection to the Spanish language. More than eight-in-ten (82%) Latino adults say they speak Spanish, and nearly all (95%) say it is important for future generations to continue to do so. Also, nearly nine-in-ten (87%) say it is important for immigrant Hispanics to learn English in order to succeed in the U.S.

The survey finds that, regardless of where they were born, large majorities of Latinos say that life in the U.S. is better than in their family’s country of origin.

More Devices In Need of Numbers Means More Area Codes

Connecticut is in the midst of its transition from two area codes to four, as the number combinations  in 203 and 860 are nearly all used, less than 20 years after the 860 area code was introduced into the state. In the 203 area code, which covers the southern portion of the state, area code 475 has been designated as the overlay for that region, to be used for new service.  For the northern part of the state, now utilizing area code 860, the overlay area code to be used as new phone numbers are assigned will be 959 (start date to be determined).

In 1947, U.S. states and Canadian provinces were assigned three digit codes with 0 as the middle number, such as 203 for Connecticut and 305 for Florida . The 860 area code was created on August 28, 1995 as a split from area code 203 when the latter was cut back to Fairfield County (except for the Town of Sherman) and New Haven County, plus the towns of Bethlehem, Woodbury, and a small part of Roxbury in Litchfield County.

Use of 860 began almost 50 years after the assignment of 203 - on October 4, 1996.  The ever-increasing number of devices requiring phone numbers in the 21st century has accelerated the need for additional area codes.  While it took nearly 50 years to move from one area code to two, it is expected to take less than 20 years to move from two to four.

Back in 1947, there were 86 area codes in North America.  States and provinces that had more than one area code distributed to them were given three digit codes with 1 as the middle number, such as 916 and 213 for various sections of California , and 212 and 516 for various sections of New York .  The first and third digits were allotted according to population density in the city or region the area code was going to, with the most populated areas getting the lowest numbers. The New York City area, for example, was assigned 212, while the surrounding suburbs were assigned 914.

The rationale for the original “low number/high population” scheme was based on the fact that phones had rotary dials in those days. Lower numbers resulted in shorter “dial pulls” so it was reasoned that the regions with the most people in them should require the least “work” to call.

State Workforce Will Shrink Unless Wage Gap Closes

A report by Connecticut Voices for Children finds that closing Connecticut's “opportunity gaps,” as evidenced in the state’s changing demographics, will be necessary for the future economic health and quality of life in the state as a whole. The report, “Connecticut's Changing Demographics Foreshadow Declining Workforce Income,” noted that Connecticut, with the 7^th oldest population in the nation in 2010, is projected to have a declining working-age population after 2015.  On the national level, the working-age population is predicted to increase.  In 2010, 14 percent of Connecticut’s population was age 65+, which is expected to increase to 22 percent (1 in 5) by 2030.

The report found that if racial and ethnic income gaps continue to grow at recent rates in Connecticut, the average per capita income for the state’s working age population will decline by 8.6% between 2010 and 2030.  However, if racial income gaps are closed by 2015 and incomes for all workers are raised to the same level as white workers, then per capita income for the working-age population will increase by 12% between 2010 and 2030.

Women Like CT Better Than Men

According to a public opinion survey, 11 percent more women than men have a favorable impression of Connecticut.  In the national survey, conducted over four months, American voters nationally were asked their impressions of each state.  Hawaii came out on top, by far, with California bringing up the rear.  And women had a higher impression than men of the states of New York, Massachusetts, Delaware, California, New Hampshire, Vermont, Illinois and Connecticut.  Overall, 26% of respondents had a favorable impression of Connecticut, 22% had an unfavorable impression, and 52% just didn't know.

Hispanic Population Increasing, Especially in Schools

Connecticut's Hispanic population is nearly half a million - 479,087 - which represents 13.4 percent of the state's population, according to data highlighted by the state's Latino and Puerto Rico Affairs Commission (LPRAC).  Reflecting the increasing Hispanic population across the state, Hispanics as a percent of all K-12 students in Connecticut is 17 percent - higher than the percentage in the overall population.  The median age of Connecticut's Hispanic population is 28 years old.

CT Cities Showing Population Growth

Connecticut abolished county government decades ago, but population numbers viewed by county continue to demonstrate where the growth is across the state.  According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the state's most populous county is Fairfield, with a population of 916,829 - an increase of 3.9 percent since 2000. The other counties in the top five are Hartford, with a population of 894,014 (increase of 4.3 percent); New Haven, 862,477 (increase of 4.7 percent); New London, 274,055 (increase of 5.8 percent); and Litchfield, 189,927 (increase of 4.2 percent). Fairfield County includes two of the state's largest cities:  #1 Bridgeport (pop. 144,229) and #4 Stamford (122,643).  Rounding out the top five cities are  #2 New Haven, 129,779; #3 Hartford, 124,775;  and #5 Waterbury, 110,366. Largest city growth?  New Haven grew by 5 percent between 2000 and 2010, Stamford by 4.7 percent  and Bridgeport by 3.4 percent.  Waterbury grew by 2.9 percent and Hartford by 2.6 percent over the decade.

Growing Cities

Which of Connecticut's cities experienced the largest population growth between 2000 and 2010?  According to the U.S Census, it is Danbury, with an 8.1% increase in population - followed by New Haven with 5% and Stamford with 4.7% growth during the decade.  Bridgeport remains the state's largest city, with a 2010 population of 144,229, ahead of New Haven's 129,779 and Hartford's 124,775. The Business Council of Fairfield County has noted that while the rate of growth increased in many CT cities compared with the previous decade, the cities of Stamford, Norwalk and Danbury experienced a slower rate of growth, while Bridgeport's rate increased.