Waterbury, Connecticut Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waterbury, Connecticut had a total population of 114,869, the 5th largest city in Connecticut, with a median household income of $51,886, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Waterbury is the 5th largest city in Connecticut with a population of 114,869.
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Connecticut (diversity index: 71/100).
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Waterbury Quick Facts
How Waterbury Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,356 | 114,869 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $51,642 | $51,886 | +0.5% |
| Median home value | $185,400 | $208,500 | +12.5% |
How Waterbury Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 57 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waterbury Rankings in Connecticut
Explore Connecticut Rankings
Cities Similar to Waterbury
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 121,127 | $46,411 | $228,600 | 19.4% | 26.3% |
| New Haven | 134,349 | $56,851 | $287,100 | 38.9% | 23.9% |
| Bridgeport | 149,153 | $58,685 | $274,900 | 23.4% | 21.0% |
| New Britain | 74,223 | $58,613 | $223,600 | 19.6% | 18.1% |
| Danbury | 87,263 | $83,393 | $411,200 | 34.0% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Waterbury is a major urban center located in Connecticut. The total population is 114,869. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waterbury is 37.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 41.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waterbury is $51,886. This is 46% lower than the state median of $95,781. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.7%. This is 146% 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 65% higher than the state rate of 5.6%. The median home value is $208,500. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $366,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 47.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waterbury is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (29.3%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (23.0% vs 9.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (38.6% vs 18.3%).
Education
17.3% 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 42.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waterbury, Connecticut is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Connecticut state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waterbury, Connecticut?
Waterbury, Connecticut has a population of 114,869 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waterbury, CT?
The median household income in Waterbury is $51,886, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waterbury, CT?
The poverty rate in Waterbury is 24.7%. This means approximately 27,945 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waterbury, Connecticut?
Waterbury's population is 29.3% White, 23.0% Black, 38.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waterbury, CT?
The median home value in Waterbury is $208,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Waterbury, Connecticut?
17.3% of adults (25+) in Waterbury hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.