Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut

Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG)
Official logo of Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG)
Map of Connecticut highlighting Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Location within the U.S. state of Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°31′N 73°07′W / 41.52°N 73.12°W / 41.52; -73.12
Country United States
State Connecticut
Founded2013
Largest cityWaterbury
Other citiesBristol, Shelton, Ansonia, Derby
Government
 • Executive DirectorRick Dunne
Area
 • Total
412.8 sq mi (1,069 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
450,376
 • Estimate 
(2024)
462,220
 • Density1,090.13/sq mi (420.90/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Websitenvcogct.gov
Map
Interactive map of the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region

The Naugatuck Valley Planning Region is a planning region and county-equivalent in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is served by the coterminous Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG). In 2022, planning regions were approved to replace Connecticut's counties as county-equivalents for statistical purposes, with full implementation occurring by 2024.[1][2]

Geography

The Naugatuck Valley Planning Region lies in west-central Connecticut, spanning urban centers and rural towns along the Naugatuck River. The region covers approximately 412.8 sq mi and includes both densely populated cities like Waterbury and Shelton, and smaller towns such as Bethlehem and Oxford. Major transportation routes such as Interstate 84 and Route 8 serve as key regional corridors.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
2010448,738
2020450,3760.4%
2024 (est.)462,220[3]2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[2]

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 450,376 people living in the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region.[2]

Government and Planning

The region is governed by the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), which provides shared services and regional planning coordination. NVCOG oversees long-term transportation, land use, environmental, and economic strategies, and works with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to implement the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).[4]

Municipalities

The following municipalities are members of the Naugatuck Valley Region:[5]

Cities

Towns

References

  1. ^ "Governor Lamont Announces U.S. Census Bureau Approves Proposal for Connecticut's Planning Regions To Become County Equivalents". CT.gov. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Change to County-Equivalents in the State of Connecticut". Federal Register. June 6, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  3. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut; United States". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  4. ^ "A Council of Governments - NVCOG CT - Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments". April 22, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  5. ^ "Our Region". Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments. Retrieved March 24, 2023.