NVCOG has launched the Naugatuck Valley Demographic Explorer to better inform planning, infrastructure investment, and economic growth within the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region. This dashboard’s primary function is to provide a unified platform for tracking and evaluating socio-economic and environmental indicators.
Data last updated on 2/19/2025
NVCOG used Census Tracts as the geographic boundaries for its analysis. The U.S. Census Bureau recommends using tract-level data where there is less population density, such as is the case in Connecticut. Using Census tracts, the NVCOG analysis can be easily compared and aligned with the analyses conducted by other state and federal agencies. Sixteen key socioeconomic and environmental indicators were examined to provide insights into variations across different geographic areas and demographic groups. The indicators outlined in Table 1 were selected following an evaluation of state and federal policy guidelines alongside comparable anti-discrimination regulations, the accessibility of data, insights from peer agencies undertaking similar initiatives, and an assessment of the COG’s ongoing priorities.
A composite scoring system was used for this analysis. Each indicator was assigned a score of 1 or 2, reflecting its significance in the overall analysis. Factors such as historical disparities and policy priorities were considered when assigning a score to different indicators. NVCOG determined that required populations would receive a higher score than the other population groups. Required populations are those population groups for which analyses are required to comply with federal laws and guidance (minority, low income, and Limited English Proficient). Beyond these required populations, NVCOG assigned a score of 2 to the severely cost-burdened households considering the extreme impact on the residents. A household that is severely cost burdened is spending more than 50% of their income on housing costs, meaning these households have less to spend on other household costs including transportation, healthcare, education, food, and the like. A score of one is assigned to each of the twelve remaining indicators.
Analysis for each indicator is completed for every Census tract in Connecticut. The mean and standard deviation are calculated for each individual indicator. An assigned score of 0 is given to any Census tract less than one standard deviation above the mean on any individual indicator. A Census tract that equals or is greater than one standard deviation above the mean on a specific indicator will receive a score of 1 or 2, determined by the value given in Table 1. An overall score is calculated for each Census tract by adding up all the individual indicator scores within that geographic boundary. The maximum possible score is 20. The total score allows for the ranking and comparison of different tracts, highlighting disparities and identifying areas in need of targeted interventions. Communities with a total combination of indicators at or above a score of 6 are deemed to face greater challenges compared to those with scores below that marker, therefore these communities are identified as Emphasis Communities.
| NVCOG Analysis Indicators | Scoring |
| Race & Ethnicity | 2 |
| Limited English Proficiency | 2 |
| Living in Poverty | 2 |
| Elderly Population | 1 |
| Educational Attainment | 1 |
| Disability | 1 |
| Unemployment | 1 |
| Tenure: Renter-Owner Ratio | 1 |
| Housing Cost as Percent of Income (Housing Cost Burden 30%-50%) | 1 |
| Housing Cost as Percent of Income (Severe Housing Cost Burden Over 50%) | 2 |
| Vehicle Availability | 1 |
| Proximity to Brownfields | 1 |
| Proximity to Superfund Sites | 1 |
| PM 2.5 Levels | 1 |
| Ozone Levels | 1 |
| Traffic Density | 1 |
| Total Possible Score | 20 |
Socioeconomic Indicators
- Race & Ethnicity (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates)
- The percent of individuals who list their racial status as a race other than white alone and/or list their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino. In other words, all people other than non-Hispanic white-alone individuals are in the minority.
- Limited English Proficiency (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates)
- The percentage of the population over the age of 5 with limited English proficiency (LEP).
- Living in Poverty (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates)
- The percentage of the population with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level.
- Elderly Population (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates)
- The percentage of population aged 65 or older.
- Educational Attainment (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates)
- The percentage of the population 25 years old and over whose educational experience was not enough to earn a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Disability (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates)
- The percentage of the population with a disability.
- Unemployment (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates)
- The percentage of the population over the age of 16 who are unemployed.
- Tenure: Renter-Owner Ratio (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates)
- The percentage of renter-occupied housing units.
- Housing Cost as Percent of Income (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates)
- The percentage of household income spent on housing. If 30% to 49.9% of a household’s income is spent on housing costs, that household is deemed cost burdened. If the household spends 50% or more of its income on housing costs, that household is severely cost-burdened.
- Vehicle Availability (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates)
- The percentage of households with no access to a vehicle.
Environmental Indicators
- Proximity to Brownfields (CT DECD Brownfield Inventory)
- The count and distance to listed brownfield sites from the Connecticut Brownfield List.
- Proximity to Superfund Sites (EPA Superfund National Priorities List)
- Ranking of the distance to the proposed or listed NPL – also known as superfund – sites within 5 miles. The ranking is as follows:
- If the Census tract is within a half mile of a site, it ranks as 5.
- If the Census tract is within one mile of a site, it ranks as 4.
- If the Census tract is within two miles of a site, it ranks 3.
- If the Census tract is within three miles of a site, it ranked 4.
- If the Census tract is within five miles of a site, it ranks 1.
- Ranking of the distance to the proposed or listed NPL – also known as superfund – sites within 5 miles. The ranking is as follows:
- Particle pollution from fine particulates (PM 2.5) Levels (EPA EJScreen)
- The annual average of the levels of Particle pollution from fine particulates, commonly known as PM 2.5, is the presence of fine particles or particulate matter (having a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less) in the surrounding air from sources like burning fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, and road dust. EPA sets an ambient air quality target of 9.0 PPM (parts per million) or less for PM 2.5. More information about PM 2.5 can be found on the EPA website.
- Ozone Levels (EPA EJScreen)
- Average of the annual top ten daily maximum 8-hour ozone concentrations in air. New Haven and Fairfield Counties are considered “maintenance areas” for conformity, meaning that all transportation projects occurring within the area have to be modeled to ensure they won’t exceed emission limits set by EPA for the area. The Connecticut Department of Transportation creates Air Quality Control reports for the state.
- Traffic Density (EPA EJScreen)
- Count of vehicles (annual average daily traffic [AADT]) at major roads within 10 kilometers (km), divided by distance in km. The statistic in the Explorer is AADT/km.
Councils of Governments (COGs) and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) play a crucial role in fostering collaboration among local and regional governments to address common challenges and achieve shared goals. COGs and MPOs adhere to the following policies:
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. This policy ensures that federally funded projects and initiatives implemented by COGs are carried out in a non-discriminatory manner. As a direct recipient of FTA funds and FTA grant recipient for the Valley Transit District’s capital program, the NVCOG is required to follow Title VI rules with respect to its transit capital and planning program as well as the host agency of the CNVMPO and as the co-host and participating agency member of the Greater Bridgeport and Valley MPO.
NVCOG updates its Title VI and Environmental Justice analysis triennially. The most recent update was published and endorsed by the NVCOG Board in June 2022.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. MPOs must ensure that their transportation plans and projects are accessible to individuals with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to transportation resources.
Executive Order # 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency
Executive Order # 13166 requires agencies to ensure that limited English proficiency persons are able to meaningfully access the services provided consistent with and without unduly burdening the fundamental mission of each federal agency.
NVCOG completed a Language Assistance Plan as part of the Title VI Plan development, using the “Four Factor Analysis” detailed in the FTA Title VI Circular. The process requires the NVCOG to determine the number and proportion of the population with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). The LEP analysis also determined if certain non-English speaking populations required special consideration under the Department of Justice’s Safe Harbor provision. Safe Harbor provisions apply if the eligible LEP population in a given language exceeds 5% or 1,000 members of the eligible population for transit district’s services. If these thresholds are attained, vital written materials will be translated to accommodate their needs.
Staff Contacts
Richard Crowther Jr., GISP
GIS Program Coordinator
rcrowther@nvcogct.gov
Desira Blanchard
Communications & Community Engagement Coordinator
dblanchard@nvcogct.gov