City · Connecticut
Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury, city, in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut. Waterbury had 115,771 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 114,403 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 114,869 (±48). GEOID 0980000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
115,771
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 114,403 · ACS 2020-2024: 114,869 ±48
Median household income
$51,886
±$2,278 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $95,781
Median home value
$208,500
±$6,084 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $366,900
Median gross rent
$1,225
±$38 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $1,488
Where is Waterbury and what county is it in?
Waterbury is a city in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut. It covers 28.6 square miles of land, 4,006 residents per square mile in 2020.
Waterbury is in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Waterbury, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 115,771 people lived in Waterbury on July 1, 2025, up 1.2% since 2020, slower than Connecticut (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 114,403 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 114,869 (±48).
| Measure | Waterbury | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 114,869 ±48 | 454,969 | +6,593 |
| Households | 45,663 ±1,010 | 180,116 | +4,726 |
| Average household size | 2.48 ±0.05 | 2.49 | −0.12 |
| Housing units | 49,956 ±986 | 192,551 | +2,126 |
Waterbury's population since 2000
From 107,271 in 2000 to 115,771 in 2025: up 7.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Waterbury as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Waterbury?
The median resident of Waterbury is 37.8 years old; 23.2% are under 18 and 15.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 38.5%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 29.3%. 20.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Waterbury | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.8 ±1.3 | 41.8 | +3.0 |
| Under 18 years | 23.2% ±1.0 pts | 20.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.3% ±0.8 pts | 19.2% | – |
| Male | 47.7% ±0.8 pts | 48.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 38.5% ±1.7 pts | 19.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 29.3% ±1.6 pts | 59.8% | −8.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 23.0% ±1.5 pts | 10.6% | +4.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.5% ±0.8 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.1% ±1.0 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 20.1% ±1.6 pts | 14.2% | +3.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 39.3% ±2.3 pts | 23.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6% ±0.6 pts | 5.0% | – |
| With a disability | 18.5% ±1.1 pts | 13.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.4% ±1.2 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.8% ±1.6 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.3% ±1.4 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.0% ±0.9 pts | 14.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.4% ±1.4 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8% ±0.6 pts | 1.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Waterbury earn?
Half of Waterbury's 45,663 households earn less than $51,886 a year (±$2,278), against $86,191 in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region and $95,781 in Connecticut. In 2015-2019 it was $52,183 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 24.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Waterbury | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,886 ±$2,278 | $86,191 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $71,815 ±$3,945 | $114,324 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,542 ±$1,682 | $46,363 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 24.7% ±2.3 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 34.9% ±4.5 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 29.5% ±1.6 pts | 14.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.1% ±1.3 pts | 94.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.3% ±1.9 pts | 90.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Waterbury?
Owners occupy 47.2% of Waterbury's occupied homes and renters 52.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $208,500 by its owner (±$6,084). The median renter pays $1,225 a month including utilities, and 50.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Waterbury | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $208,500 ±$6,084 | $317,700 | +$47,648 |
| Median gross rent | $1,225 ±$38 | $1,330 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 50.0% ±3.6 pts | 44.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,850 ±$61 | $2,229 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 47.2% ±2.2 pts | 68.6% | +5.8 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 52.8% ±2.2 pts | 31.4% | – |
| Housing units | 49,956 ±986 | 192,551 | +2,126 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9% ±0.9 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.7% ±1.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 41.2% ±2.0 pts | 59.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.3% ±0.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 30.8% ±2.1 pts | 19.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 18.7% ±2.0 pts | 9.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Waterbury building?
Builders took permits for 43 new housing units in Waterbury in 2025 (43 in single-family houses), 0.4 per 1,000 residents against 2.0 across Connecticut.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Waterbury work and get to work?
69.8% of Waterbury's workers drive alone and 8.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.3%.
| Measure | Waterbury | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.7% ±1.6 pts | 65.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.3% ±1.4 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 69.8% ±2.8 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.7% ±1.5 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.9% ±1.0 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Walked | 2.1% ±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.3% ±1.3 pts | 12.7% | +5.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.0 min ±1.4 | 28.3 min | +2.6 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Waterbury?
28 census tracts lie mostly in Waterbury (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $15,351 (Tract 3501.01) to $108,047 (Tract 3519).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3527.02Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 6,258 | $50,145 |
| Tract 3508Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 5,981 | $49,732 |
| Tract 3516.02Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 5,812 | $68,150 |
| Tract 3528Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 5,801 | $54,329 |
| Tract 3513Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 5,188 | $50,633 |
| Tract 3511Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,935 | $55,488 |
| Tract 3515Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,856 | $56,443 |
| Tract 3520Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,813 | $80,576 |
| Tract 3514Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,772 | $56,041 |
| Tract 3510Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,543 | $47,796 |
| Tract 3512Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,513 | $32,953 |
| Tract 3526Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,476 | $80,054 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Waterbury) · Census block assignment files
How does Waterbury compare with other places in Connecticut?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Waterbury is the 267th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 5th-most populous of 30 in Connecticut.
Waterbury ranks 289th of 294 places in Connecticut with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 5th | 30 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 132nd | 167 |
| Residents per square mile | 17th | 303 |
| Median household income | 289th | 294 |
| Per capita income | 292nd | 303 |
| Median home value | 294th | 300 |
| Median gross rent | 207th | 266 |
| Poverty rate | 5th | 202 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 287th | 297 |
| Median age | 264th | 301 |
| Owner-occupied share | 283rd | 300 |
| Work from home | 259th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 141st | 302 |
Waterbury's figures with every place in Connecticut (CSV)
Every place in Connecticut, sortable · Compare Waterbury with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Waterbury?
4 of the 57 figures for Waterbury on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Waterbury are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Waterbury.