Population 114,845 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Waterbury
Household size in Waterbury
| Period | Waterbury | New Haven area | Connecticut | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.53 | 2.55 | 2.57 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.68 | 2.60 | 2.61 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.62 | 2.55 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.59 | 2.53 | 2.55 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.06 | −0.02 | −0.02 | −0.03 |
Households in Waterbury average 2.59 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). Household size has crept up from 2.53 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the south.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Waterbury
| Period | Waterbury | New Haven area | Connecticut | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.4 | 39.4 | 40.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.0 | 40.3 | 41.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.5 | 41.4 | 42.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.9 | 41.7 | 42.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.4 | +2.3 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Waterbury is 37.9 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.4, in line with the national trend. Of the 145 Connecticut cities with 5,000+ people, only nine are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Waterbury
| Period | Waterbury | New Haven area | Connecticut | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.3% | 12.7% | 11.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.5% | 12.4% | 11.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 19.4% | 12.0% | 10.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 23.2% | 13.5% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +0.8 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head 23.2% of households in Waterbury, well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 1.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. No other Connecticut city with 5,000+ people has a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Waterbury
Renters in Waterbury
| Period | Waterbury | New Haven area | Connecticut | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 50.5% | 34.7% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 53.3% | 36.8% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 58.6% | 38.2% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 52.8% | 37.6% | 33.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +2.9 pts | +2.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Waterbury: 52.8% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 40.7% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share has risen 2.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 145 Connecticut cities with 5,000+ people, only nine have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Waterbury
| Period | Waterbury | New Haven area | Connecticut | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.4% | 9.1% | 8.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.1% | 10.6% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.5% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.8% | 8.0% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Waterbury is close to the national rate: 9.8% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the New Haven area overall (8.0%). Vacancy is down 1.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Waterbury
| Period | Waterbury | New Haven area | Connecticut | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1956 | 1961 | 1963 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1957 | 1961 | 1964 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1957 | 1961 | 1964 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1958 | 1964 | 1967 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
Waterbury is a place of older homes: half were built before 1958, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the center has the oldest housing. Only ten of the 145 Connecticut cities with 5,000+ people have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Waterbury
| Period | Waterbury | New Haven area | Connecticut | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $871 | $1,093 | $1,127 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $927 | $1,175 | $1,218 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,008 | $1,288 | $1,380 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,299 | $1,584 | $1,702 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$428 | +$491 | +$575 | +$606 |
The median renter in Waterbury pays $1,299 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $428 a month since 2006–10, up 49%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 36.2% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the south and lowest in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Waterbury
Bachelor's degrees in Waterbury
| Period | Waterbury | New Haven area | Connecticut | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.4% | 31.6% | 35.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.9% | 33.1% | 37.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.6% | 34.5% | 39.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.1% | 38.5% | 42.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | +6.9 pts | +6.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Waterbury: 18.1% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 1.8 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Of the 145 Connecticut cities with 5,000+ people, only four have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Waterbury
| Period | Waterbury | New Haven area | Connecticut | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 77.8% | 87.4% | 88.1% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.0% | 88.4% | 89.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 79.2% | 89.6% | 90.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 81.5% | 90.6% | 91.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +3.2 pts | +3.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in five adults in Waterbury never finished high school, well above the national share: only 81.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 3.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Connecticut city with 5,000+ people has a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Waterbury
| Period | Waterbury | New Haven area | Connecticut | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.9% | 8.5% | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.4% | 10.7% | 9.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.2% | 6.7% | 6.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 6.4% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −2.2 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Waterbury runs well above the national rate: 9.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of the 145 Connecticut cities with 5,000+ people, only four have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 3.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Waterbury compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbury | 2.59 | 37.9 | 23.2% | 52.8% | 9.8% | 1958 | $1,299 | 18.1% | 81.5% | 9.5% |
| Oakville | 2.50 | 44.6 | 7.2% | 23.5% | 8.3% | 1966 | $1,352 | 33.1% | 92.7% | 2.2% |
| Wolcott | 2.66 | 46.1 | 10.5% | 11.6% | 5.3% | 1975 | $1,607 | 36.0% | 94.7% | 3.2% |
| Naugatuck | 2.55 | 40.7 | 12.8% | 32.2% | 5.2% | 1967 | $1,333 | 33.4% | 91.9% | 5.0% |
| Middlebury | 2.68 | 44.8 | 7.8% | 13.4% | 6.1% | 1977 | $628 | 53.4% | 94.3% | 4.0% |
| Prospect | 2.70 | 46.4 | 7.5% | 6.2% | 7.3% | 1975 | $1,974 | 44.9% | 95.5% | 3.2% |
| Marion | 2.63 | 48.1 | 8.5% | 5.2% | 9.1% | 1977 | $1,465 | 45.0% | 86.5% | 0.5% |
| Watertown | 2.71 | 48.0 | 6.8% | 10.3% | 8.6% | 1971 | $1,380 | 43.8% | 95.1% | 3.5% |
| Milldale | 2.23 | 44.6 | 11.9% | 44.4% | 6.6% | 1964 | $2,075 | 43.2% | 83.9% | 3.8% |
| Plantsville | 2.39 | 46.8 | 8.2% | 21.2% | 4.8% | 1970 | $1,495 | 38.4% | 92.8% | 2.2% |
| Plymouth | 2.68 | 48.6 | 10.3% | 9.9% | 8.6% | 1964 | $1,191 | 31.7% | 92.5% | 2.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Water Valley, KY · Waverly, IL · Warren, MI · Waterford, MS · Waterford, MI · Wanblee, SD · Wanamie, PA · Watkins, CO · Walnut Grove, MN · Wauregan, CT
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Waterbury. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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