County · Connecticut
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut. Naugatuck Valley Planning Region had 463,349 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.9% since 2020, faster than Connecticut (+2.2%). It holds 27 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs, 13 towns and townships and 8 census-designated) and 98 census tracts. GEOID 09140.
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region is the county of the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
463,349
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 450,376 · ACS 2020-2024: 454,969
Median household income
$86,191
±$1,654 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $95,781
Median home value
$317,700
±$5,035 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $366,900
Median gross rent
$1,330
±$29 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $1,488
How many people live in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 450,376 residents in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region. The Census Bureau estimates 463,349 for July 1, 2025, up 2.9% since 2020, faster than Connecticut (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 454,969 over 413 square miles of land.
| Measure | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Connecticut | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 454,969 | 3,624,508 | – |
| Households | 180,116±990 | 1,434,007 | – |
| Average household size | 2.49±0.01 | 2.46 | – |
| Housing units | 192,551±185 | 1,541,822 | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region?
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region holds 27 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 13 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 8 census-designated places. The largest is Waterbury with 115,771 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Waterbury | 114,403 | $51,886 |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol | 60,833 | $79,076 |
| Shelton | 40,869 | $108,185 |
| Naugatuck | 31,519 | $96,324 |
| Cheshire | 28,733 | $146,528 |
| Watertown | 22,105 | $101,691 |
| Southbury | 19,879 | $112,887 |
| Ansonia | 18,918 | $85,877 |
| Seymour | 16,748 | $107,708 |
| Wolcott | 16,142 | $110,850 |
| Oxford | 12,706 | $128,953 |
| Derby | 12,325 | $79,500 |
| Plymouth | 11,671 | $94,514 |
| Woodbury | 9,723 | $131,480 |
| Oakville | 9,504 | $95,515 |
| Prospect | 9,401 | $126,394 |
| Middlebury | 7,574 | $133,487 |
| Thomaston | 7,442 | $103,218 |
| Cheshire Village | 6,499 | $117,218 |
| Beacon Falls | 6,000 | $101,516 |
| Terryville | 5,202 | $72,813 |
| Heritage Village | 5,091 | $62,059 |
| Watertown CDP | 3,938 | $103,200 |
| Bethlehem | 3,385 | $108,929 |
| Bethlehem Village | 1,970 | $109,256 |
| Thomaston CDP | 1,928 | $79,674 |
| Woodbury Center | 1,335 | $98,194 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region?
The median resident of Naugatuck Valley Planning Region is 41.8 years old; 20.3% are under 18 and 19.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 59.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 19.9%. 14.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Connecticut | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.8±0.3 | 41.1 | – |
| Under 18 years | 20.3%±0.1 pts | 20.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.2%±0.1 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 19.9% | 18.3% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 59.8%±0.3 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 10.6%±0.3 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.8%±0.2 pts | 4.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.0%±0.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 14.2%±0.6 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 23.3%±0.7 pts | 23.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.0%±0.3 pts | 4.7% | – |
| With a disability | 13.8%±0.5 pts | 12.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.8%±0.4 pts | 5.4% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.5%±0.5 pts | 91.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 33.8%±0.8 pts | 42.5% | – |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.5%±0.6 pts | 19.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7%±0.3 pts | 2.6% | – |
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 Naugatuck Valley Planning Region earn?
Half of Naugatuck Valley Planning Region's 180,116 households earn less than $86,191 a year (±$1,654), against $95,781 in Connecticut. 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Connecticut | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $86,191±$1,654 | $95,781 | – |
| Mean household income | $114,324±$2,154 | $138,744 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,363±$921 | $55,915 | – |
| People below the poverty line | 11.2%±0.7 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.8%±1.6 pts | 13.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.5%±0.7 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.8%±0.6 pts | 92.2% | – |
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 Naugatuck Valley Planning Region?
Owners occupy 68.6% of Naugatuck Valley Planning Region's occupied homes and renters 31.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $317,700 by its owner (±$5,035). The median renter pays $1,330 a month including utilities, and 44.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Connecticut | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $317,700±$5,035 | $366,900 | – |
| Median gross rent | $1,330±$29 | $1,488 | – |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.4%±2.1 pts | 43.5% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,229±$30 | $2,429 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.6%±1.0 pts | 66.5% | – |
| Housing units | 192,551±185 | 1,541,822 | – |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.3%±0.7 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 59.0%±0.9 pts | 58.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.3%±0.8 pts | 20.2% | – |
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 Naugatuck Valley Planning Region building?
Builders took permits for 513 new housing units across Naugatuck Valley Planning Region in 2025 (288 single-family), 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region get to work?
74.3% of Naugatuck Valley Planning Region's workers drive alone and 12.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.0%.
| Measure | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Connecticut | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.1%±0.6 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0%±0.5 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 74.3%±1.1 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.8%±0.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.4%±0.3 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.7%±0.7 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.3 min±0.6 | 26.5 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 are Naugatuck Valley Planning Region's census tracts?
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region is divided into 98 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $15,351 (Tract 3501.01) to $169,306 (Tract 1302.01).
All 98 census tracts of Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Naugatuck Valley Planning Region compare with Connecticut's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 4th of 9 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 3rd of 9 |
| Residents per square mile | 4th of 9 |
| Median household income | 9th of 9 |
| Median home value | 8th of 9 |
| Median gross rent | 7th of 9 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8th of 9 |
| Median age | 4th of 9 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Naugatuck Valley Planning Region 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' school search.