Canaan, CT

Connecticut

Canaan is a small town in Connecticut with a population of 1,297. Residents earn $31,986 per year, which is 57% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,297 Population 741/sq mi density
$31,986 Median Income $29,698 per capita
$170,700 Home Value $375,610 Zillow
$1,321 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.7 / 5.0
$31,986 median income, 7.2% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$170,700 home value, $1,321/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
23.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $31,986
57% lower than US avg
Home Value $170,700
39% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.0%
32% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,321
14% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.9%
4% lower than US avg
Unemployment 7.2%
100% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 37.4%
202% higher than US avg

How Canaan Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,297
Median Age39.6 yrs
Density741/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

D
Median Income$31,986
Per Capita$29,698
Unemployment7.2%
Poverty37.4%
County GDP$3,465M
Commute17 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$170,700
Rent$1,321
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$375,610

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity30.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.4%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain49.1 in/yr
Elevation720 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.0%
High School+84.7%
School Score6.10

Community

2024 VoteR 43% / D 57%
Commute17 min
EV Stations1
Libraries12

Is Canaan a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Canaan receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Canaan has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Canaan is $31,986, 57% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 37.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Canaan is $170,700, 39% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,321 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 5.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

23.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Canaan experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Canaan has a population of 1,297 with a density of 741 people per square mile. The median age is 39.6 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.7%).

Population

1,297
Total Population
741
People / sq mi
39.6yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
1.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.7%
Female 46.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Canaan vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only76.9%
2% below US avg
Spanish23.1%
72% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Canaan vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Canaan is $31,986, which is 57% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 37.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Canaan vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$31,986
57% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,698
Avg Weekly Wage$1,082
IRS Avg AGI$93,498

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.2%
100% above US avg
Poverty Rate37.4%
202% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,212
County GDP$3,465M

Business (County)

Restaurants199
Healthcare163
Retail267
Manufacturing83

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,790
208% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.32%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.1 min
Work from Home9.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Canaan is $170,700, 39% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,321 (14% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $375,610.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$170,700
39% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$375,610
Median List Price$795,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$795,000
$/Sq Ft$126
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio75.9%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,321
14% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,351
1 Bedroom$1,590
2 Bedrooms$1,955
3 Bedrooms$2,415
4 Bedrooms$2,824

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied60.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,790
208% above US avg
Effective Rate6.32%
In Canaan, 30.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 24.4% report depression. 26.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Canaan vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.9%
4% below US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure28.0%
Asthma11.6%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.5%
Physical Inactivity26.6%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress14.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.7%
Checkup Rate77.2%
Premature Death7,810/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access61.5%
Healthcare Facilities163

Crime Rates: Canaan vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Canaan has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average46.1°F
15% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.1 inches
29% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation720 ft (219 m)
Area1.8 sq mi (4.5 km²)
Population Density741/sq mi
Coordinates42.0401°N, 73.3329°W
County FIPS36021
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 23.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 14.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 42.7%
D 57.4%

Winner: Democrat by 14.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.0%
32% below US avg
High School+84.7%
School Test Score6.10
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density741/sq mi
Total Area1.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities163
Restaurants199
Retail Stores267

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.1 min
Work from Home9.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare Canaan with another city: