City profile · Connecticut · Census ACS 2023

New Haven, CT

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for New Haven - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

132,893
Residents
$53,771
Median income
$249,000
Median home
$1,969
Median rent (state)

New Haven - the verdict

Nationally, New Haven sits in the 25th percentile for household income and the 7th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

25th
percentile, household income
56th
percentile, home value
82nd
percentile, median rent
7th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: New Haven, CT

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 132,893 residents in New Haven, a mid-sized U.S. city within Connecticut. The typical household in New Haven brings in $53,771 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 18.3%. Typical homes in New Haven are valued around $249,000, and the median resident age is 31.9 years. About 37.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 59.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 521 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 25% from five years earlier. New Haven's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 4121.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Connecticut carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 103.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,969 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Connecticut run around $345, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 18.4 minutes, with 58.1% driving alone and 12.2% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 95.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

132,893 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Connecticut

Median Household Income

$53,771 /yr

Poverty 18.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.6 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Connecticut average

How does New Haven compare to other US cities?

New Haven measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 25% higher than other cities
Home value 56% pricier than other cities
Median rent 82% pricier than other cities
Safety 7% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Connecticut and the picture shifts: New Haven ranks #46 of 46 Connecticut cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below New Haven's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Connecticut, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

25thIncome percentile
7thSafety percentile

25th percentile nationally for median household income · 7th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

New Haven's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

New Haven's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 21 Avg. percentile National median
New Haven's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How New Haven's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$249,000 44th percentile more affordable than 44% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. New Haven $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - New Haven, CT New Haven, CT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not New Haven, CT-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution New Haven, CT median $53,771/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
New Haven, CT's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for New Haven, CT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 37.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
132,893
Median Income
$53,771
Median Home Value
$249,000
Median Age
31.9
Poverty Rate
18.3%
Labor force participation
59.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
37.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4121.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
534.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3587.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
42
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
125,000 residents130,000 residents135,000 residents140,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 129,319 residents 138,774 residents ▲ +7.3%
New Haven's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
521
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
511
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 699
2020 738
2021 299
2022 501
2023 561
2024 521

Permit volume decreased 25% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.4 minutes
Drive Alone
58.1%
Carpool
7.5%
Public Transit
6.9%
Walk
12.0%
Work from Home
12.2%
Other
3.3%

Based on 62,282 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Connecticut - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$175
avg/month
Natural Gas
$110
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$60
avg/month
Total Utilities
$345
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Connecticut state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Connecticut state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county New Haven sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.6
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,969/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Connecticut

Stamford
135,806 people
Hartford
119,970 people
Bridgeport
148,012 people
Waterbury
114,356 people
Norwalk
91,375 people
Danbury
86,086 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to New Haven's 132,893 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Carrollton, TX
132,741 people
Sterling Heights, MI
133,473 people
Coral Springs, FL
133,962 people
Midland, TX
133,998 people
Kent, WA
135,015 people
Elizabeth, NJ
135,887 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to New Haven's $53,771 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Southern View, IL
$53,774 median income
Scranton, KS
$53,767 median income
Thibodaux, LA
$53,775 median income
Strabane, PA
$53,775 median income
Paterson, NJ
$53,766 median income
Cockrell Hill, TX
$53,788 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - New Haven, CT Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition New Haven, CT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 36.8% 30.6% 15.9% 11.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 31.2% White 36.8% Black or African American 30.6% Asian 5.2% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 15.9% Two or more races 11.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How New Haven compares to nearby Connecticut cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
New Haven (this city) 132,893 $53,771
Stamford 135,806 $107,474
Hartford 119,970 $45,300
Bridgeport 148,012 $56,584
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CT FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about New Haven, CT?

What is the population of New Haven, CT? +

New Haven, CT counts 132,893 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in New Haven, CT? +

New Haven households earn a median of $53,771 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in New Haven? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for New Haven; the closest available measure is the Connecticut state average, a cost of living index of 103.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Connecticut vary by metro area.

Is New Haven, CT safe? +

New Haven has a total crime rate of 4121.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in New Haven, CT? +

The median home value in New Haven is $249,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.