Connecticut 2019
According to Countryaah.com, the largest city in Connecticut is Bridgeport, with a population of 144,229 as of the 2019 census. The city is located on the Long Island Sound in Fairfield County and is part of the Greater New York City Metro Area. It is known for its vibrant downtown area, parks, and beaches. The second largest city in Connecticut is New Haven, with a population of 129,779. It is located on the northern shore of Long Island Sound and is home to Yale University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in America. New Haven’s downtown area has many historic buildings including churches and theaters. The city also has an active nightlife with bars and restaurants that cater to all kinds of tastes. Additionally, it has several parks and beaches that provide outdoor activities for locals and visitors alike.
Politics of Connecticut in 2019
The politics of Connecticut in 2019 were largely shaped by the state’s gubernatorial and congressional elections. The political landscape was also influenced by the ongoing opioid crisis, gun control debates, and environmental issues.
In November 2018, Connecticut held its gubernatorial election where Ned Lamont of the Democratic Party beat Republican Bob Stefanowski to become Governor-elect. Lamont ran on a platform of economic growth, educational reform, and job creation. He campaigned heavily on strengthening the state’s economy through increased investment in small businesses and infrastructure projects. He also proposed raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour and introducing paid family leave policies as part of his broader economic plan.
In Congress, Democrats held seven out of five seats in the House of Representatives while Republicans only held one seat. In the Senate, Democrats Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal were re-elected in November 2018 for another six-year term. Murphy focused his campaign on protecting health care access for all Americans while Blumenthal focused on gun control measures such as expanding background checks for gun purchases.
The opioid crisis was a major issue throughout 2019 as Connecticut saw a sharp increase in overdoses due to heroin and fentanyl use across the state. In response to this crisis Governor Lamont proposed a package of legislation that included increasing addiction treatment funding, limiting opioid prescriptions, and creating a statewide system for tracking overdose data. The legislation was passed by both chambers of the General Assembly with bipartisan support in June 2019 and signed into law by Governor Lamont shortly thereafter.
Gun control was another major political issue throughout 2019 as activists called for stricter regulations on firearms sales following numerous mass shootings across the country during that year. Governor Lamont supported several pieces of legislation that were passed by both chambers including expanded background checks for gun purchases, bans on bump stocks, raising age limits for purchasing firearms from 18 to 21 years old, and allowing police officers to temporarily remove guns from people deemed to be at risk of harming themselves or others due to mental illness or substance abuse issues.
Finally, environmental issues were also prominent during 2019 as activists called for stricter regulations on air pollution caused by vehicles emissions as well as increased investment in renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar energy farms across the state. Governor Lamont proposed several initiatives such as providing more incentives for electric vehicle purchases or expanding public transportation networks which were met with positive reception from lawmakers in both chambers who passed several bills aimed at reducing carbon emissions across Connecticut during 2019.
Population of Connecticut in 2019
According to allunitconverters, Connecticut is a state in the northeastern United States, located between New York and Massachusetts. As of 2019, the population of Connecticut was estimated to be 3,565,287 people. This population is made up of a diverse mix of ethnicities and races. According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 79% of residents identify as white alone (not Hispanic or Latino), 8.1% identify as Black or African American alone, 8.5% identify as Hispanic or Latino, 1.7% identify as Asian alone, and 2.9% identify as two or more races.
Connecticut has an aging population with approximately 16% of residents being aged 65 years or older according to the US Census Bureau’s 2019 estimates. This aging population is due in part to the fact that Connecticut has seen a decrease in its birth rate since 2010 while its death rate has remained relatively steady over the same time period. Additionally, Connecticut’s median age (42 years old) is higher than both the US median age (37 years old) and New England region median age (40 years old).
Connecticut also has a high educational attainment rate with nearly 90% of adults having completed at least high school education and 40% having completed at least some college education according to 2018 estimates from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates data set. Additionally, Connecticut has a higher than average poverty rate with 10.7% percent of residents living below the poverty line according to 2018 estimates from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates data set. See liuxers for school codes in Connecticut.
Overall, Connecticut’s population is diverse in terms of race and ethnicity with an aging population that has achieved higher levels of educational attainment than many other states in America but also suffers from higher rates poverty than many other states in America as well.
Economy of Connecticut in 2019
Connecticut is a state in the Northeastern United States that has a diverse economy. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Connecticut’s gross domestic product (GDP) was $265.2 billion in 2019. The largest contributors to this GDP were professional and business services (17%), financial activities (15%), trade, transportation, and utilities (13%), government (13%), and manufacturing (12%).
The unemployment rate in Connecticut was 4.1% as of October 2019, lower than both the US average of 3.6% and New England region average of 3.8%. This low unemployment rate is due in part to Connecticut’s strong job growth over the past few years with an estimated 15,900 jobs added during 2019 according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Connecticut’s economy is heavily reliant on its two largest industries: finance and defense. Financial services account for approximately 17% of Connecticut’s GDP with some of the major employers being United Technologies Corporation, Cigna Corporation, Aetna Inc., People’s United Financial Inc., and Travelers Companies Inc.. Additionally, defense spending accounts for approximately 6% of Connecticut’s GDP with some of the major employers being Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Electric Boat Corporation, Pratt & Whitney Company Inc., General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation, and Kaman Aerospace Corporation.
Overall, Connecticut has a diverse economy with strong job growth during 2019 that is heavily reliant on its two largest industries: finance and defense. This economy has resulted in a low unemployment rate which is lower than both the US average as well as the New England region average.
Events Held in Connecticut in 2019
Connecticut is home to a wide variety of events and festivals throughout the year. In 2019, there were numerous events held in Connecticut for people of all ages and interests.
For music lovers, the Hartford Jazz Festival was held in June. The festival featured some of the best jazz musicians from around the world such as John Pizzarelli, Arturo O’Farrill, and Roy Hargrove. In addition to great music, there were also food vendors and art galleries on-site to make for a fun day out.
The Taste of Hartford was held in July and featured some of the best restaurants from around the city. Attendees had the chance to sample food from over 50 local restaurants while enjoying live music and entertainment throughout the day.
For those looking for outdoor fun, The Great Connecticut Kite Festival was held in August in Stratford. Participants had the chance to learn how to make kites from experts as well as fly them on a large open field with views of Long Island Sound. There were also other activities available such as face painting, arts & crafts, and kite decorating contests for children and adults alike.
In October, Mystic Seaport hosted its Annual Harvest Festival which included activities such as pumpkin carving contests, hayrides, corn mazes, live music performances, artisan vendors selling handmade goods, and much more. For those looking for a spooky experience during Halloween season then Haunted Happenings in New London was sure to provide it with its haunted houses filled with ghosts and ghouls.
Lastly, but certainly not least was Christmas at Mystic Seaport which took place throughout December where visitors could take part in holiday festivities such as holiday caroling performances by local choirs, gingerbread house making competitions for children and adults alike plus much more.
Overall, 2019 saw many different events taking place throughout Connecticut that catered to all ages and interests ranging from music festivals to outdoor activities like kite flying or pumpkin carving competitions.
