City profile · Connecticut · Census ACS 2023

Norwalk, CT

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

91,375
Residents
$105,301
Median income
$535,000
Median home
$2,511
Median rent (state)

Norwalk - the verdict

Norwalk ranks in the 81st percentile for household income and the 43rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

81st
percentile, household income
86th
percentile, home value
92nd
percentile, median rent
43rd
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: Norwalk, CT

Connecticut's Norwalk is a small city, with 91,375 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $105,301 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 8.1%. Typical homes in Norwalk are valued around $535,000, and the median resident age is 40.2 years. Educational attainment runs 44.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 66.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 339 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 75% from five years earlier. Norwalk reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1589.5 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Connecticut carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Connecticut at 103.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,511 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Connecticut's average monthly utility costs around $345 (state average). Workers in Norwalk report an average commute of 23.4 minutes, with 67.1% driving alone and 13.2% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 96.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

91,375 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Connecticut

Median Household Income

$105,301 /yr

Poverty 8.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.6 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Connecticut average

How does Norwalk compare to other US cities?

Here's how Norwalk stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 81% higher than other cities
Home value 86% pricier than other cities
Median rent 92% pricier than other cities
Safety 43% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Connecticut alone, Norwalk ranks #29 of 46 Connecticut cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Norwalk'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.

81stIncome percentile
43rdSafety percentile

81st percentile nationally for median household income · 43rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Norwalk's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Norwalk'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 45 Avg. percentile National median
Norwalk'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 Norwalk's home value compares nationally

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

$535,000 14th percentile more affordable than 14% 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%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Norwalk $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 - Norwalk, CT Norwalk, CT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, CT median $105,301/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%
Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, CT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 44.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.8%

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

Population
91,375
Median Income
$105,301
Median Home Value
$535,000
Median Age
40.2
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Labor force participation
66.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
44.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1589.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
85.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1504.5
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
23
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
90,000 residents92,000 residents94,000 residents96,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 90,926 residents 94,508 residents ▲ +3.9%
Norwalk's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
339
housing units authorized
Single-Family
27
detached homes
Multifamily
312
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 194
2020 121
2021 149
2022 67
2023 36
2024 339

Permit volume increased 75% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.4 minutes
Drive Alone
67.1%
Carpool
8.2%
Public Transit
7.0%
Walk
2.9%
Work from Home
13.2%
Other
1.6%

Based on 49,534 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 Norwalk sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.6
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,511/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Connecticut

Danbury
86,086 people
New Britain
73,301 people
Waterbury
114,356 people
West Hartford
63,809 people
Hartford
119,970 people
Bristol
61,129 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Norwalk's 91,375 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Santa Monica, CA
91,535 people
Kirkland, WA
91,614 people
Nashua, NH
91,131 people
Fort Myers, FL
91,730 people
Chino, CA
91,775 people
South Gate, CA
91,836 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Norwalk's $105,301 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Alma, TX
$105,300 median income
Hamel, IL
$105,313 median income
Siglerville, PA
$105,313 median income
San Marcos, CA
$105,286 median income
Mountain Top, PA
$105,286 median income
Putnam Lake, NY
$105,284 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, CT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 50.3% 18.1% 11.6% 14.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 31.4% White 50.3% Black or African American 18.1% Asian 4.7% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 11.6% Two or more races 14.8% 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 Norwalk 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
Norwalk (this city) 91,375 $105,301
Danbury 86,086 $83,422
New Britain 73,301 $57,036
Waterbury 114,356 $51,642
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CT FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Norwalk, CT?

What is the population of Norwalk, CT? +

Norwalk, CT counts 91,375 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Norwalk, CT? +

Norwalk households earn a median of $105,301 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Norwalk? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Norwalk; 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 Norwalk, CT safe? +

Norwalk has a total crime rate of 1589.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Norwalk, CT? +

Norwalk's median home value sits at $535,000, 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

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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.