New Canaan

Once a sleepy farm town, it is now a thriving community with a growing tech industry and business center

Overview for New Canaan, CT

7,032 people live in New Canaan, where the median age is 44.6 and the average individual income is $110,986. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

7,032

Total Population

44.6 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$110,986

Average individual Income

Welcome to New Canaan

A beautiful, affluent community close to New York with scenic views and quality schools
 
New Canaan is a small town in Connecticut with a rich history and a promising future. Once a sleepy farm town, it is now a thriving community with a growing tech industry and business center. It is an affluent town, only one hour from New York City. New Canaan is well-known regionally for its highly regarded public and private preparatory schools, idyllic setting, and sophisticated atmosphere. The community has friendly locals, beautiful architecture, and historic charm.

What to Love

  • Luxury homes and amenities
  • Close to New York City
  • Beautiful views and parks
  • Friendly residents and a small-town vibe
  • Bustling town center

New Canaan Real Estate Market

New Canaan real estate is in high demand. Contact Cindy Raney & Team of Connecticut real estate agents & realtors to find townhomes, houses, land, luxury property & homes for sale in New Canaan, CT.

Local Lifestyle

Anyone who has been to New Canaan would consider it a highly desirable place to live, with its stunning luxury homes and amenities. It is an ideal place to have a family with access to beautiful nature, excellent schools, charming neighborhoods, and a walkable downtown. The city’s first-rate amenities include private schools, a premier hospital, and a state-of-the-art performance center. Once you move to New Canaan, you will be part of a unique community with a well-educated population, a thriving business sector, and a small-town vibe.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Rosie New Canaan is located downtown and serves breakfast and lunch in a casual cafe. For plant-based eats, Greenology offers organic tea, coffee, baked goods, juice, smoothies, and breakfast dishes. Tequila Mockingbird is a vibrant dining space that offers authentic Mexican cuisine in an eclectic atmosphere. Spiga Wine Bar is an upscale Italian restaurant known for its handmade pasta, brick-oven pizzas, and wide selection of meat and cheese.

New Canaanites also frequent Sole, an Italian restaurant where you can watch the chefs prepare wood-fired pizzas, housemade pasta, and more. Spiga and Sole have healthy competition in the form of Locali, a third Italian restaurant known for its wood-fired pizzas. It is cozy and creative with limited seating.

Uncorked is part of the South End Restaurant Group family of restaurants — a self-described “go-to for townies” serving small plates, brisk brews, and craft cocktails. Farmer’s Table has a minimalist menu reflecting fresh ingredients (all food made to order) and lacking the shortcuts of microwaves or steam tables.

Blackbird provides a sophisticated bar and restaurant experience with globally inspired small plates, drawing from Italian, French, Mexican, and Asian cuisines, complemented by handcrafted cocktails. The Waveny Bar & Grill serves modern American cuisine, featuring expertly grilled steaks, fresh seafood, and creative small plates. This spot, by the owners of Spiga, boasts an upscale yet inviting atmosphere with a recently renovated patio.

Elm Street is the heart of downtown and the central spot for shops, boutiques, and eateries. Bluemercury is a makeup and skincare store that provides products and consultations with beauty experts. The Whitney Shop, a well-known bridal registry spot, provides the ultimate gift shop for many locals and out-of-towners. Don’t miss Wave, a trendy shop for kids and tweens, and Togs, another upscale clothing shop that is a favorite of many. Also check out LaSource, a notable retail destination on Elm Street. LaSource brings a fresh concept to the town's upscale shopping scene — a curated collection of contemporary women's apparel, accessories, and thoughtful gifts, often featuring emerging designers and unique pieces.

As if those options weren’t enough, New Canaan will welcome a notable addition to its downtown landscape with a proposed hotel on Locust Avenue. Plans envision a 40-key hotel at 49-51 Locust Avenue, featuring a restaurant, dining patio, and retail spaces, with an additional eight extended-stay hotel keys proposed for 39 Locust Avenue. The plan envisions an adaptive reuse of existing buildings, integrating new structures and redesigning facades to enhance the pedestrian experience.

Things to Do

Caffeine & Carburetors is an annual event in New Canaan that gathers car enthusiasts at Zumbach’s Gourmet Coffee to showcase vehicles and take group rides. Village Fair & Sidewalk Sale is a yearly event downtown that features bargain sales, local cuisine, vendors, and family activities. In the summer, don’t miss the Farmer’s Market held every Saturday.

Waveny Park features 250 acres, including the Waveny House, walking trails, sports fields, picnic areas, swimming facilities, a disc golf course, open fields, music festivals, and a beautiful wedding venue. A couple of miles north, you can find Mead Memorial Park, a park with facilities for baseball, tennis, and pickleball, a bird sanctuary, and ice skating when the lake is frozen. Grace Farms seeks peace through nature, arts, community, and movement. The farm is 80 acres and has an amphitheater, pavilion, library, shared spaces, and organic café.

New Canaan’s calendar is marked by several highly anticipated annual events that cater to diverse interests. The New Canaan Fireworks Celebration, held at Waveny Park, is a spectacular July 4th display that lights up the night sky, offering a memorable way to commemorate the holiday. The Celebrate New Canaan Annual Gala, hosted by the New Canaan Historical Society & Museum, is a prestigious fundraising event typically featuring a reception, dinner, and awards ceremony. For a touch of classic Americana, the Ice Cream Social & Antique Car Show combines delightful treats with a display of vintage automobiles. Finally, the Annual Frogtown Fair, held by Country School, is a lively community festival offering traditional fair activities, games, and entertainment for all ages.

Silvermine Arts Center cultivates and encourages individuals to grow and learn through art. The center showcases artists and offers educational opportunities like classes, lessons, and workshops. New Canaan Nature Center is a non-profit that inspires locals to protect and respect nature through educational programs, preschool, and community events. The Country Club of New Canaan is a beautiful private facility that offers luxury dining spaces, sports courts, a swimming pool, and a golf course.

Schools

New Canaan Public Schools is a high-quality public education system that serves the New Canaan community. There are also several private schools in the area.
 
Public schools:
 
  • East Elementary School, grades K–4
  • South Elementary School grades Pre-K-4
  • West Elementary School grades Pre-K-4
  • Saxe Middle School, grades 5–8
  • New Canaan High School, grades 9–12
Private schools:
 

Demographics and Employment Data for New Canaan, CT

New Canaan has 2,726 households, with an average household size of 2.57. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in New Canaan do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 7,032 people call New Canaan home. The population density is 4,539.2 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

7,032

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

44.6

Median Age

45.65 / 54.35%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
2,726

Total Households

2.57

Average Household Size

$110,986

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Schools in New Canaan, CT

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby New Canaan. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating

Property Listings

Work With Us

Cindy Raney & Team is the elite, boutique real estate team in Fairfield County. They are extremely well versed in the industry, having sold over half a billion dollars in luxury real estate. Cindy’s team is particularly focused on the client experience, helping them throughout the home buying or selling process to ensure that their experience with the team is exceptional.

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