Connecticut Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location…: Connecticut is located in the New England region of the northeastern U.S. and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies. Three of Connecticut’s eight counties, including most of the state’s population and located in the southwest portion of the state, are in the New York City combined statistical area commonly called the "Tri-State Region."
Cities: Hartford is the capital of Connecticut.
Behind the Name: Called the “Constitution State” and the “Nutmeg State,” Connecticut dates way back to the colonial times and was influential in the development of the federal government.
A Closer Look: While Connecticut is undoubtedly a small state, it has been one of the most strongly independent and productive since Dutch explorer Adriaen Block discovered the Connecticut River in 1614.
Did You Know? Geographically, it is the third smallest state, even though its original charter, granted in 1662, extended the land grant west to the Pacific Ocean. [Ed. Note: Has anyone told California about this?] Bonus Question: What are the two smallest states? Rhode Island, of course, and the next state in the alphabet, Delaware.
Connecticut Careers and Employment:
Population: 3,501,252 (2.8% increase since 2000) - 51.3% Female, 49.7% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).
Business Environment: Ranked 33rd in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.
Top Industries: In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) administrative and support and waste management and remediation service; (2) retail trade; (3) accommodation and food services; (4) health care and social assistance; and (5) construction.
Taxes: Income Tax, 3.0% to 5.0% and Sales Tax, 6% (Federation of Tax Administrators).
Cost of Living: 127.8 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).
Quality of Life: Ranked 3rd of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.
Weather: Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 25.96; Apr: 47.07; July: 71.52; Oct: 50.60 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
K-12: Ranked 6th of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
Connecticut Economics:
In General: Connecticut’s workforce consists primarily of jobs in the service industry (40%), jobs in the manufacturing industry (15%) and jobs in the finance, insurance, and real estate industry (38%). The state hosts many corporate headquarters including General Electric Capital, Citizens Communications, Pitney Bowes, Xerox and Blyth, and the city of Hartford is a renowned insurance center.
Service Industry: Connecticut’s community, business and personal service industries, including private health care, engineering and law firms, and computer and data processing services, as well as the tourism industry, are also significant.
Agriculture: In terms of revenue generated, Connecticut’s top five agricultural products are greenhouse and nursery products (ornamental shrubs, flowers, young plants), dairy products, chicken eggs, aquaculture and sweet corn.
Manufacturing: Production of transportation equipment, mainly for military use (aircraft parts, helicopters, submarines), is Connecticut’s most important manufacturing activity. Ranking second is the manufacture of machinery (bearings, computers, machine tools, printing machinery) followed by fabricated metal products (cutlery, hardware, nuts, bolts, rivets, washers, and the like).
A Closer Look: Connecticut housing is notoriously expensive, but is consistent with wages, which are also generally high in the state.
Did You Know? Crushing News: Crushed stone is Connecticut’s leading mined product followed by sand and gravel.
Connecticut Education:
Find Colleges and Universities in Connecticut, here.
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.
