International Migration to Hartford Region Keeps Population Steady

The Hartford region ranked third in the nation among metropolitan areas with near-stagnant overall population change during the past three years while simultaneously showing significant international migration.  The New Haven-Milford and Norwich-New London regions also ranking in the top 20 nationally among metro regions with less than one percent overall population growth but strong international migration.

The overall population change for the three metro areas in Connecticut were two-tenths of a percent population growth in the Hartford region, and virtually no change at all for New Haven and Norwich-New London region, each having zero percent population growth over the past three years.

The international migration into the Hartford region during the three year period was 16,251 people, second only to Chicago and Detroit among the 20 metro areas where overall population change was at or near zero.  The New Haven metro area ranked 7th, with an international migration total of 10,717 and Norwich – New London was 19th, with 4,008. 

During the past three years, the Norwich-New London region total population change showed a net loss of 95 people, New Haven had a net loss of 187 people and Hartford region saw a loss of 187 people.

The analysis of U.S. Census data by Governing magazine indicates that in some American cities, international migration far outpaced population gains from natural change (births and deaths) and domestic migration.  The three Connecticut metropolitan areas were among those that experienced little to no change in total population, but welcomed sizable tallies of residents from abroad. 

The analysis indicated 20 metro areas across the country where total population change between 2010 and 2013 was at or near zero, while international migration was substantial – and made up, or nearly made up, for population declines to due domestic migration or natural factors. Among the other metro regions were Providence, St. Louis, Cleveland, Springfield, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Buffalo and Trenton.

Across the U.S. between 2010 and 2013, metro areas welcomed a net total of 2.6 million residents from international migration. Over the same three-year period, net domestic migration increased by just 382,000 as those who did move mostly relocated to other metro areas, the magazine reported.

The Census Bureau’s international migration estimates include not only foreign immigrants, but natives moving back home and movement of members of the military.