New England’s Knowledge Corridor (Metro Hartford/Springfield/New Haven) is the nation’s 20th largest market (Pop. 2,884,112), following #19 Denver (Pop. 2,967,239).
Larger than 30 of the nation’s top 50 markets, including St. Louis, Baltimore, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Orlando, Cleveland, and Las Vegas.
Of the ten largest markets in Canada, only Toronto and Montreal are larger.
Second largest market in New England, after No. 11 Greater Boston (pop. 4,873,019). NEKC’s population is 59.18% of Greater Boston.
Served by Bradley International Airport (BDL, the second-largest and “most convenient” airport in New England.
Median household income comparable to Denver and Raleigh/Durham.
The NEKC has a highly skilled and educated workforce of 1,532,920.
The NEKC has some 220,447 college students in 42 colleges and universities (e.g., main campuses of UMass, UConn & Yale).
Home to many international and national corporations with major operations, including ESPN, Stanley Black & Decker, MassMutual, EverSource Energy, SS&C, Otis, Aldi, Carrier, Amazon, FedEx, State of Connecticut, The Hartford, Hartford Healthcare, UnitedHealth Group, Trinity Health, Yale/New Haven Health, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation Limited (CCRC MA), MGM Springfield, AETNA, Baystate Health, Raytheon Technologies, Lego, Trumpf, Cigna, Pratt & Whitney, Voya, Jackson Labs, Kaman, and Travelers.
The 400-year-old bi-state Knowledge Corridor (pop. 2,884,112) has 164 communities, with 2,185,771 residents in Connecticut and 698,341 in Western Massachusetts.
Area: 4,413 square miles (653 residents per square mile).
The Knowledge Corridor consists of the three counties around Hartford, three around Springfield, and New Haven County, plus twelve communities in the immediate Hartford Metro area which are in three abutting counties, resulting in a population just shy of 2.9 million.
The nation’s largest market without a major pro sports team (NHL, MLS, NBA, MLB, or NFL).
New 62 mile/9 station “Hartford Line” commuter rail system connecting Hartford with Springfield & New Haven (750,000 passengers annually and growing). New “CTfastrak” 9.3-mile/11 station bus rapid transit line into Hartford (3 million passengers annually). Metro-North rail line, with service from New Haven to NYC (nation’s busiest line).
Major expressways are Interstates 84,90,91 & 95, connecting the region with NYC, Boston, Stamford, Providence, Albany, & Montreal.
Ten county television market serves a population of 3,348,461 and has 1,117,490 tv households (nation’s 22nd largest, of which 885,890 households are in Hartford/New Haven, and 231,600 in Springfield).
Major Attractions/Events: Basketball Hall of Fame/Travelers Championship/Wadsworth Atheneum Art Museum/ Elizabeth Park Rose Garden/ Yale University Campus & Museums/ Connecticut River/New Haven Festival of Arts & Ideas/ Six Flags New England/Long Island Sound/Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts/Mark Twain House/Big E State Fair (Representing all six New England States)/ MGM Springfield/ Yankee Candle/ Dr. Seuss Museum/ Eric Carle Museums of Picture Book Art.
Prepared by: Peter R. DeMallie, President & CEO of Design Professionals Inc, who was chairperson of the New England Knowledge Corridor at the time of writing (2021).