City profile · Connecticut · Census ACS 2023

Waterbury, CT

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

114,356
Residents
$51,642
Median income
$185,400
Median home
$1,788
Median rent (state)

Waterbury - the verdict

Nationally, Waterbury sits in the 22nd percentile for household income and the 13th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

22nd
percentile, household income
38th
percentile, home value
74th
percentile, median rent
13th
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: Waterbury, CT

Connecticut's Waterbury is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 114,356 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Waterbury households earn a median of $51,642 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 20.3%. Waterbury's housing stock carries a median value of $185,400, and the median resident age is 37.8 years. 17.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 54.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 15 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier. Waterbury's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3241.1 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: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Connecticut scores 103.6 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,788 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $345 across Connecticut, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 26.5 minutes, with 72.1% driving alone and 6.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 93.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

114,356 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Connecticut

Median Household Income

$51,642 /yr

Poverty 20.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.6 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Connecticut average

How does Waterbury compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 22% higher than other cities
Home value 38% pricier than other cities
Median rent 74% pricier than other cities
Safety 13% 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: Waterbury ranks #43 of 46 Connecticut cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Waterbury against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Connecticut only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Connecticut-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Waterbury near the bottom of Connecticut's cities

Among the 201 Connecticut cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Waterbury ranks #198 - the 1st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Waterbury only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#189 of 198
5th percentile in Connecticut
Median Gross Rent
#159 of 207
17th percentile in Connecticut
Median Home Value
#198 of 201
1st percentile in Connecticut
Poverty Rate
#11 of 204
95th percentile in Connecticut
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#194 of 207
6th percentile in Connecticut

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Connecticut only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

22ndIncome percentile
13thSafety percentile

22nd percentile nationally for median household income · 13th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Waterbury's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Waterbury'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 26 Avg. percentile National median
Waterbury'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 Waterbury's home value compares nationally

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

$185,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 62% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $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. Waterbury $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 - Waterbury, CT Waterbury, CT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Waterbury, 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 Waterbury, CT median $51,642/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%
Waterbury, 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 Waterbury, CT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.5%

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

Population
114,356
Median Income
$51,642
Median Home Value
$185,400
Median Age
37.8
Poverty Rate
20.3%
Labor force participation
54.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3241.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
322.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2918.6
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
32
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
113,000 residents114,000 residents115,000 residents116,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 113,875 residents 115,771 residents ▲ +1.7%
Waterbury's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
15
housing units authorized
Single-Family
15
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 15
2020 20
2021 23
2022 15
2023 64
2024 15

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
26.5 minutes
Drive Alone
72.1%
Carpool
12.4%
Public Transit
3.8%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
6.7%
Other
2.7%

Based on 48,823 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 Waterbury sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.6
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,788/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Connecticut

Hartford
119,970 people
New Haven
132,893 people
Stamford
135,806 people
Norwalk
91,375 people
Danbury
86,086 people
Bridgeport
148,012 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Waterbury's 114,356 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Provo, UT
114,303 people
Carlsbad, CA
114,500 people
Elgin, IL
114,106 people
East Los Angeles, CA
114,617 people
Odessa, TX
114,080 people
Lowell, MA
114,799 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Waterbury's $51,642 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Nickerson, KS
$51,643 median income
Springfield, FL
$51,640 median income
Factoryville, PA
$51,635 median income
La Croft, OH
$51,650 median income
Drayton, SC
$51,650 median income
Laurel Lake, NJ
$51,633 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Waterbury, 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 Waterbury, CT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 42.0% 26.0% 13.9% 15.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 37.5% White 42.0% Black or African American 26.0% Asian 2.5% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 13.9% Two or more races 15.3% 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 Waterbury 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
Waterbury (this city) 114,356 $51,642
Hartford 119,970 $45,300
New Haven 132,893 $53,771
Stamford 135,806 $107,474
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CT FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Waterbury, CT?

What is the population of Waterbury, CT? +

Waterbury, CT has a population of 114,356 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Waterbury households earn a median of $51,642 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Waterbury? +

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

Waterbury has a total crime rate of 3241.1 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 Waterbury, CT? +

The median home value in Waterbury is $185,400, 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

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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.