West Haven, Connecticut Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Haven, Connecticut had a total population of 55,351, the 12th largest city in Connecticut, with a median household income of $74,382, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
West Haven Quick Facts
How West Haven 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 | 55,147 | 55,351 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $73,566 | $74,382 | +1.1% |
| Median home value | $265,200 | $291,700 | +10.0% |
How West Haven 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 57 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
West Haven Rankings in Connecticut
Explore Connecticut Rankings
Cities Similar to West Haven
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Hartford | 50,918 | $70,778 | $229,700 | 17.2% | 13.2% |
| Meriden | 60,545 | $71,253 | $241,200 | 22.2% | 13.2% |
| Bristol | 61,462 | $79,076 | $277,800 | 30.3% | 10.7% |
| Middletown | 47,958 | $79,438 | $295,300 | 40.2% | 12.0% |
| Milford | 51,023 | $111,201 | $415,200 | 50.3% | 5.2% |
Population Overview
West Haven is a mid-sized community located in Connecticut. The total population is 55,351. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Haven is 35.8 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 41.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Haven is $74,382. This is 22% lower than the state median of $95,781. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.1%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 5.6%. The median home value is $291,700. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $366,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 50.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
West Haven is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (19.7% vs 9.8%).
Education
30.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West Haven, 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 West Haven, Connecticut?
West Haven, Connecticut has a population of 55,351 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Haven, CT?
The median household income in West Haven is $74,382, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Haven, CT?
The poverty rate in West Haven is 14.1%. This means approximately 7,305 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Haven, Connecticut?
West Haven's population is 43.5% White, 19.7% Black, 27.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Haven, CT?
The median home value in West Haven is $291,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is West Haven, Connecticut?
30.5% of adults (25+) in West Haven hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.