Litchfield County, Connecticut

Litchfield County: County in Connecticut, United States

About

Litchfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the population was 189,927 and a population density of 78 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 179,610 inhabitants. Its county seat is Litchfield. The county was created 273 years ago in 1750.

Litchfield County is located in the northwestern corner of Connecticut. It is considered part of the New York metropolitan area. The county was founded in 1751 and named after Litchfield, one of its original towns.

With a population around 184,000 as of the 2020 census, Litchfield County is Connecticut’s least populous county. It covers about 920 square miles, spanning rolling hills and the Berkshire Mountains.

Key Facts and History

  • The area was originally inhabited by the Algonquin people. European settlers arrived in the early 1700s.
  • In the late 1700s, Litchfield County became an important legal and political center, with Litchfield hosting the Connecticut Supreme Court.
  • The county was mainly agricultural into the mid-1800s. Sheep farming was a major early industry. Grain mills, iron forges, carriage factories and dairies later emerged.
  • Tourism grew in the late 1800s as wealthy New Yorkers built grand summer homes, like in Norfolk. The natural scenery and lake resorts attracted visitors.

Major Industries and Attractions Today

  • While still rural in nature, tourism remains vital to Litchfield County’s economy. Popular activities include hiking, boating, fishing, and skiing.
  • There are numerous historic towns, villages, and museums to explore. Notable attractions include the Yale Center for British Art and Lime Rock racetrack.
  • Much of the county is forested. The Appalachian Trail passes through it and state parks like Mount Tom offer recreation.
  • Agriculture, especially dairy farms, vineyards, and orchards, is still prevalent. Forestry and mining are also important industries.

Transportation and Cities

  • There are no interstate highways in Litchfield County. State routes 8, 63, 118, and 202 are major roads.
  • The county’s largest city is Torrington, with a population around 35,000. Other towns include Winchester, Plymouth, Litchfield, and New Milford.
Litchfield County locator map
Location of Litchfield County on Connecticut map.

Quick Facts about Litchfield County

Population : 179,610 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Connecticut (United States)
Area : 2446 km2
Water as percent of area : 2.5%
Land as percent of area : 97.5%
Named for : Lichfield
Altitude : 1,253 feet / 382 meters
Capital : Litchfield
Establishment : January 01, 1751
Time Zone : America/New_York
Local time : 22:29:31 (18th March 2024)
Density : 73 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : -5.74% (2010-2020)
MohawkMountain image
MohawkMountain
MohawkMountain image

Geography

Litchfield County is located at 41°47'33"N 73°14'43"W (41.7924900, -73.2453200). It has 6 neighbors: Fairfield County, Hartford County, New Haven County, Berkshire County, Hampden County and Dutchess County.

Litchfield County map

The largest city of Litchfield County is West Torrington with a population of 36,000. Other cities include, Torrington population 33,870, Winsted population 7,712 and Bantam population 725. See all Litchfield County cities & populated places.

Litchfield County Populated Places (more)

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Litchfield County.

City Name Population Title
West Torrington 36,000 Human settlement in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States of America
Torrington 33,870 City in Litchfield County, Connecticut, USA
New Milford 26,683 Town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States of America
Watertown 21,517 Town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States
Plymouth 11,552 Town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States
Winchester Center 10,830 Town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States
Woodbury 9,453 Town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States
Winsted 7,712 City in Connecticut, United States
Thomaston 7,505 Town in Connecticut, United States
New Hartford 6,639 Town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States
Harwinton 5,400 Town in Connecticut
Barkhamsted 3,587 Town in Connecticut
Salisbury 3,584 Town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States
Washington 3,419 Town in Connecticut
Bethlehem 3,385 Town
Goshen 2,856 Town in Connecticut, United States

Litchfield County has 6 neighbours.

Demographics

According to census records, the population of Litchfield County decreased by 5.74% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 189,927 - census
2011 188,972 -0.51% estimation process
2012 187,570 -0.75% estimation process
2013 186,836 -0.39% estimation process
2014 185,343 -0.81% estimation process
2015 184,122 -0.66% estimation process
2016 182,793 -0.73% estimation process
2017 181,667 -0.62% estimation process
2018 181,095 -0.32% estimation process
2019 180,333 -0.42% estimation process
2020 179,610 -0.4% estimation process

Comitatul Litchfield, Comte de Litchfield, Comté de Litchfield, Condado de Litchfield, Condado han Litchfield, Contea di Litchfield, Hrabstwo Litchfield, Lichfijld, Lichfild, Litchfield, Litchfield Kun, Litchfield Kūn, Litchfield konderria, Litchfield megye, Okrug Lichfild, Quan Litchfield, Quận Litchfield, li qi fei er de xian, litacaphilda ka'unti, ritchifirudo jun, shhrstan ltchfyld kntykt, Личфийлд, Личфилд, Лічфілд, Округ Личфилд, Լիչֆիլդ շրջան, شهرستان لتچفیلد، کنتیکت, لچفیلڈ کاؤنٹی, لچفیلڈ کاؤنٹی، کنیکٹیکٹ, مقاطعة ليتشفيلد, লিটচফিল্ড কাউন্টি, リッチフィールド郡, 利奇菲爾德縣

People born in Litchfield County (9)

People born in Litchfield County, including consumer rights activist and corporate critic Ralph Nader, politician Amasa Junius Parker, religious leader, writer and educator Charles Grandison Finney, .

List

  • Elisha Mitchell (educator, geologist) he was born in 19/08/1793
  • Lemuel Cook (American veteran) he was born in 10/09/1759
  • Gerald A. Browne (American author and editor) he was born in 29/11/1924
  • William Stone Hubbell (United States Army Medal of Honor recipient) he was born in 19/04/1837
  • Mary Bidwell (American supercentenarian) she was born in 19/05/1881
  • Mason Ellsworth Hale (American lichenologist) he was born in 29/09/1928

Connecticut Other Counties (more counties)

County Name Population Title
Fairfield County 942,426 County in Connecticut, United States
Hartford County 889,226 County in Connecticut, United States
New Haven County 851,948 County in Connecticut, United States
New London County 264,999 County in Connecticut, United States
Middlesex County 161,657 County in Connecticut, United States
Tolland County 150,600 County in Connecticut, United States
Bridgeport 143,525 The second most populous city in Connecticut.
Stamford 131,397 The second most populous city in Connecticut.
New Haven 130,801 The second most populous city in Connecticut.
North Stamford 128,278 A census-designated place in Stamford, Connecticut.
Hartford 121,535 The capital of Connecticut.
Windham County 116,540 County in Connecticut, United States
Waterbury 106,826 The second most populous city in Connecticut.
Norwalk 88,655 The most populous city in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
East Norwalk 84,530 A census-designated place in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Danbury 84,317 The most populous city in Fairfield County, Connecticut.