Waterbury city, Connecticut Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Waterbury city, Connecticut has a total population of 114,356, the 5th largest city in Connecticut, with a median household income of $51,642, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Waterbury city is the 5th largest city in Connecticut with a population of 114,356.
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Connecticut (diversity index: 70/100).
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Waterbury city Quick Facts
How Waterbury city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 56 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waterbury city Rankings in Connecticut
Explore Connecticut Rankings
Cities Similar to Waterbury city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford city | 119,970 | $45,300 | $217,200 | 18.3% | 25.5% |
| New Haven city | 132,893 | $53,771 | $249,000 | 37.7% | 25.0% |
| Bridgeport city | 148,012 | $56,584 | $252,400 | 23.1% | 22.5% |
| New Britain city | 73,301 | $57,036 | $207,300 | 18.8% | 18.6% |
| Danbury city | 86,086 | $83,422 | $381,600 | 34.5% | 11.1% |
Population Overview
Waterbury city is a major urban center located in Connecticut. The total population is 114,356. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 215 cities and towns in Connecticut.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waterbury city is 37.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 41.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waterbury city is $51,642. This is 45% lower than the state median of $93,760. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.9%. This is 138% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.3%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $185,400. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $343,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 45.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waterbury city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (30.5%) is well below the state average of 63.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (23.7% vs 9.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (37.5% vs 17.8%).
Education
17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 41.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waterbury city, Connecticut is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Connecticut state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 215 Census-designated places in Connecticut. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waterbury city, Connecticut?
Waterbury city, Connecticut has a population of 114,356 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waterbury city, CT?
The median household income in Waterbury city is $51,642, which is 34% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Waterbury city, CT?
The poverty rate in Waterbury city is 23.9%. This means approximately 26,915 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waterbury city, Connecticut?
Waterbury city's population is 30.5% White, 23.7% Black, 37.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waterbury city, CT?
The median home value in Waterbury city is $185,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Waterbury city, Connecticut?
17.0% of adults (25+) in Waterbury city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.