Connecticut County Map

Connecticut County Maps

Connecticut’s county situation is a bit of a head-scratcher. They’ve got eight counties on paper, but here’s the kicker. They don’t actually do anything. It’s like having a car with no engine. Back in 1960, Connecticut decided counties were old news and axed their governments. Now they’re just geographic labels, for weathermen and lost tourists to use.

Connecticut Counties

Despite what I mentioned earlier, Connecticut has a total of 8 counties. Yep, you heard right. There’s just 8 counties in the whole state. It’s the third-lowest number in the country, but don’t let that fool you. Even though you drive across the state in a couple hours, each county has a lot of variety.

Fairfield County has the highest population. It’s where New York City’s influence spills over into Connecticut, with hedge fund moguls rubbing elbows with blue-collar workers. Now, swing over to Windham County in the state’s “Quiet Corner.” It’s the least populous, where you’re more likely to spot a cow than a corporate executive.

Hartford County is the biggest in terms of area, but we’re not talking Texas-sized here. You could fit it into one of Colorado’s larger counties about 20 times over. Tiny Middlesex County, meanwhile, could almost fit inside Hartford County three times. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for with cute river towns and Yale’s forestry school.

As I mentioned before: Connecticut doesn’t actually have functioning county governments. Despite this, folks still argue about which county is better. It’s like picking your favorite imaginary friend. But hey, that’s Connecticut for you. It’s all about the towns here. It has 169 of ’em, each with its own fierce sense of identity.

From the ritzy Gold Coast to the rolling hills of Litchfield County, Connecticut’s counties each tell a part of the state’s story. You’ve got New Haven County with Yale and its famous pizza. Then, there’s New London County, keeping watch over the submarine capital of the world.