CountyScore

Northwest Hills Planning Region

Connecticut · CT

#2 in Connecticut
61
County Score

County Report Card

About Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut

Northwest Hills performs well nationally

Northwest Hills' composite score of 61.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 11 points, ranking it in the top third of U.S. counties. The region demonstrates strong livability across multiple measured dimensions.

Third-best region in Connecticut

Northwest Hills ranks third among Connecticut's eight planning regions with a score of 61.0, behind Lower Connecticut River Valley and Northeastern Connecticut. The region offers above-average conditions across the state.

Health, affordability, and tax efficiency combine

Northwest Hills scores 88.3 on health outcomes, 62.1 on cost (second-best in the state), and has a strong tax score of 51.7 with an effective rate of 1.800%. The region balances excellent healthcare, affordable housing ($1,169/month rent), and reasonable taxes for families.

Income levels could be stronger

The region's income score of 42.8 and median household income of $91,035 lag slightly behind Connecticut's most prosperous areas. This suggests limited high-wage job opportunities and slower income growth potential.

Ideal for families seeking balance

Northwest Hills suits families seeking a well-rounded Connecticut community with excellent health outcomes, affordable housing, and modest taxes. It's perfect for those wanting rural charm without rural isolation, strong quality of life, and reasonable costs.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax51.7Cost62.1SafetyComing SoonHealth88.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome42.8Risk20.4WaterComing Soon
🏛51.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠62.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼42.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤88.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡20.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Northwest Hills Planning Region with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Hendry County
Florida
61
Median income: $53,044
Richmond County
Georgia
61
Median income: $53,197
Whiteside County
Illinois
61
Median income: $64,536
Johnson County
Iowa
61
Median income: $74,721
Clinton County
New York
61
Median income: $69,208

Deep Dives

Northwest Hills Planning Region across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Northwest Hills Planning Region

via TaxByCounty

Northwest Hills stays near national median

At 1.800%, Northwest Hills' effective tax rate slightly exceeds the national median of 1.6%, placing it in the middle 45% of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $5,609 is roughly double the national median of $2,690, but reasonable given home values of $311,700.

Slightly below Connecticut average

Northwest Hills' 1.800% rate runs 3% below Connecticut's state average of 1.855%, making it slightly more affordable than the typical region. The median tax of $5,609 undercuts the state average of $6,465 by roughly $860, offering good value for property owners.

Competitive rates in the northwest

Northwest Hills' 1.800% rate falls between Naugatuck Valley (2.038%) and the River Valley (1.762%), and well below Capitol (2.143%). Owners here enjoy roughly $400–$700 in annual savings versus Naugatuck Valley residents on similar properties.

Reasonable taxes on moderate homes

A median home valued at $311,700 carries an estimated annual tax of $5,609 in Northwest Hills. With a mortgage, you'll pay $5,661; without, $5,510—keeping the region affordable and stable for property owners.

Verify your assessment value

Connecticut homeowners frequently discover overassessments hidden in tax bills. Filing an appeal is simple and free—potentially recovering hundreds of dollars in annual taxes if your home's assessed value exceeds its market reality.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Northwest Hills Planning Region

via CostByCounty

Hills region offers strong affordability

Northwest Hills residents enjoy the second-best rent-to-income ratio across Connecticut at 15.4%, well below the national affordability threshold and among the most favorable in New England. With median income of $91,035 exceeding the national average of $74,755, housing costs remain well-managed for households here.

Second-best housing affordability statewide

Northwest Hills ranks second in Connecticut for affordability with a 15.4% rent-to-income ratio, bested only by Northeastern Connecticut's 15.8%. At $1,169 monthly rent, the region ties for second-lowest in the state, reflecting its cost-conscious positioning.

Affordable alternative in northwest corridor

Northwest Hills' $1,169 rent rivals Northeastern Connecticut's $1,153 and substantially undercuts the Capitol Region ($1,351) and Greater Bridgeport ($1,482) to its east. This makes it the cost leader in the state's northwestern corridor.

Income supports modest housing costs

A Northwest Hills household earning $91,035 spends approximately $13,982 annually on rent (15.4%) or $19,752 on mortgage costs for a median home valued at $311,700. The region balances above-average income with some of Connecticut's lowest rents, creating substantial household financial flexibility.

Rural charm meets affordability

Northwest Hills appeals to relocators seeking rural character combined with Connecticut affordability: only Northeastern Connecticut beats its housing cost ratio, and both offer measurable savings versus the state's western and southern regions. Your housing budget stretches further here without sacrificing income potential.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Northwest Hills Planning Region

via IncomeByCounty

Hills region runs well above national income

The Northwest Hills Planning Region's median household income of $91,035 is 21.8% above the national median of $74,755. This rural region punches above its weight economically.

Slightly below Connecticut's state average

The Northwest Hills' median household income of $91,035 trails the state average of $93,307 by 2.4%. The region ranks in the upper-middle tier of Connecticut's planning areas.

Competes with central Connecticut regions

At $91,035, the Northwest Hills earns nearly as much as the Capitol Planning Region ($91,541). The region demonstrates that rural areas can maintain competitive income levels with more urbanized corridors.

Excellent housing affordability

The region's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio is among Connecticut's lowest, signaling comfortable housing costs. Median home values of $311,700 are moderate, making homeownership quite achievable for households.

Convert affordability into wealth building

Strong incomes combined with low housing ratios create ideal conditions for wealth accumulation. Households should maximize retirement contributions, build diversified investment portfolios, and consider additional income streams to leverage their financial advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Northwest Hills Planning Region

via HealthByCounty

Northwest Hills: Connecticut's Healthiest

Northwest Hills reports Connecticut's second-lowest poor/fair health rate at 14.0%, signaling genuinely strong health outcomes across the region. Residents here enjoy health status comparable to many well-performing U.S. communities.

Near-Perfect Insurance Coverage

Northwest Hills' 5.6% uninsured rate ranks among Connecticut's best, beating the state's 6.0% average and meaning 94.4% of residents carry active coverage. This robust insurance landscape supports consistent access to preventive and routine care.

Among State's Top Performers

Northwest Hills' 14.0% poor/fair health rate is second-best in Connecticut, trailing only Lower Connecticut River Valley (12.2%), and significantly better than Greater Bridgeport (17.2%) and Naugatuck Valley (15.8%). Its 5.6% uninsured rate also ranks favorably statewide.

Functional Mental Health Infrastructure

Northwest Hills maintains 389 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, providing reasonable access to behavioral health services. While not the densest network, this provider base supports residents managing mental health needs.

Maintain Excellent Coverage Standards

Northwest Hills residents benefit from outstanding insurance rates, but the 5.6% uninsured should still find coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or contact community health organizations to ensure everyone in your household has year-round health protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Northwest Hills Planning Region

via RiskByCounty

Northwest Hills below state average risk

Northwest Hills Planning Region scores 79.61 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low category and well below Connecticut's state average of 87.62. This favorable profile reflects limited coastal exposure and lower urban density compared to other planning regions.

Second-safest planning region in state

Northwest Hills ranks second-lowest (most favorable) among Connecticut's eight planning regions, surpassed in safety only by Northeastern Connecticut's 62.75 score. Its 79.61 score represents a notably safer profile than the state average.

Safest inland region in Connecticut

Northwest Hills' 79.61 score exceeds only Northeastern Connecticut (62.75) among all regions and significantly outperforms nearby Lower Connecticut River Valley (83.84). As an inland, rural region, it offers one of the state's most favorable risk profiles.

Flooding remains your primary hazard

Flood risk (88.01) is the primary concern for Northwest Hills, reflecting seasonal precipitation and stream flooding in this terrain. Hurricane (86.78) and tornado (42.88) risks are secondary, while wildfire (39.95) and earthquake (66.32) threats are comparatively minimal.

Flood insurance recommended for vulnerable properties

Properties in flood-prone areas or near streams should secure separate flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude this hazard—particularly important given your 88.01 flood risk score. For most inland properties on higher ground, standard coverage is typically sufficient to protect against the region's moderate overall hazards.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.