Moving to Waterbury, Connecticut

Waterbury, Connecticut is a unique city located in the New England region of the United States. It is nestled in the Naugatuck Valley, and is conveniently located between Hartford and New Haven. Waterbury has a population of around 110,000 people, making it the 10th largest city in Connecticut.

The city has a rich history that dates back to 1674 when it was first settled by Europeans. It was originally called “Mattatuck” which means “place of many beavers” in Algonquin. Waterbury became an industrial powerhouse during the 19th century and was known as “The Brass City” due to its booming brass industry. The city also played an important role in World War II with factories producing ammunition for US troops overseas.

Today, Waterbury is an ethnically diverse city and home to many different cultures from all around the world. The downtown area offers plenty of shopping opportunities and restaurants that serve cuisines from all over the world such as Mexican, Italian, and Chinese food. There are also numerous entertainment venues including movie theaters, bowling alleys and arcades.

The educational system in Waterbury is well-respected with several public schools and two universities: Post University and Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC). NVCC offers technical training programs as well as general education classes so students can pursue their academic goals without having to leave town.

Waterbury boasts many parks including Fulton Park which features a playground, tennis courts, a splash pad, basketball courts and walking trails along with plenty of green space for relaxing or picnicking. The park is also home to an outdoor amphitheater which hosts live musical performances throughout the summer months.

Waterbury also has several museums including The Mattatuck Museum which showcases American art from colonial times through today as well as artifacts from Native American tribes that lived in this area long ago. Other attractions include Timexpo: The Timex Museum which celebrates Timex’s 150 year history through interactive exhibits; the Palace Theater which hosts Broadway shows; and Lakewood Park where visitors can enjoy swimming, boating or fishing on Lake Quassapaug or take part in mini-golfing or go-karting activities at Wild Bill’s Adventure Center!

Waterbury is truly a unique place to live that offers something for everyone! Whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation activities like hiking or biking; cultural attractions like museums or theaters; educational institutions such as universities or community colleges; or delicious restaurants serving up international cuisines – Waterbury has it all.

Population: 107,271. Estimated population in July 2024: 107,902 (+0.6% change)
Males: 50,781 (47.3%), Females: 56,490 (52.7%)

New Haven County

Demographics

Median resident age: 34.9 years
Median household income: $34,285
Median house value: $101,300

Population by Race

Races in Waterbury:

• White Non-Hispanic (58.2%)
• Hispanic (21.8%)
• Black (16.3%)
• Other race (10.9%)
• Two or more races (3.7%)
• American Indian (1.0%)
• Asian Indian (0.6%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: Italian (22.8%), Irish (11.7%), French (5.7%), German (4.1%), English (3.8%), Polish (3.1%).

Elevation: 325 feet

Land area: 28.6 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Waterbury

• High school or higher: 71.7%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.9%
• Graduate or professional degree: 5.2%
• Unemployed: 8.6%
• Mean travel time to work: 21.8 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Waterbury city

• Never married: 32.9%
• Now married: 45.0%
• Separated: 2.3%
• Widowed: 8.8%
• Divorced: 11.0%

12.1% Foreign born (5.2% Europe, 4.5% Latin America, 1.6% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: -993 (-0.9%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers in Waterbury:

• ST MARYS HOSPITAL (56 FRANKLIN ST)
• WATERBURY HOSPITAL HEALTH CENTER (64 ROBBINS ST)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Waterbury:

• BRISTOL HOSPITAL (about 12 miles; BRISTOL, CT)
• BRADLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL & HEALTH CTR (about 13 miles; SOUTHINGTON, CT)
• CONNECTICUT MENTAL HEALTH CENTER (about 16 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Waterbury:

• TWEED-NEW HAVEN (about 24 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT; Abbreviation: HVN)
• IGOR I SIKORSKY MEMORIAL (about 29 miles; BRIDGEPORT, CT; Abbreviation: BDR)
• HARTFORD-BRAINARD (about 30 miles; HARTFORD, CT; Abbreviation: HFD)

Other public-use airports nearest to Waterbury:

• WATERBURY (about 6 miles; WATERBURY, CT; Abbreviation: N41)
• WATERBURY-OXFORD (about 9 miles; OXFORD, CT; Abbreviation: OXC)
• NORTHFIELD (about 12 miles; THOMASTON, CT; Abbreviation: N09)

Amtrak stations near Waterbury:

• 17 miles: WALLINGFORD (37 HALL AVE.). Services: partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public payphones, free short-term parking, call for car rental service, call for taxi service.
• 17 miles: MERIDEN (60 STATE ST.). Services: ticket office, partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, call for car rental service, call for taxi service, public transit connection.
• 20 miles: NEW HAVEN (50 UNION AVE.). Services: ticket office, partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, snack bar, ATM, paid short-term parking, paid long-term parking, car rental agency, taxi stand, intercity bus service, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Waterbury:

• NAUGATUCK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 2,834; Location: 750 CHASE PARKWAY; Public; Website: www.nvcc.commnet.edu)
• TEIKYO POST UNIVERSITY (Full-time enrollment: 930; Location: 800 COUNTRY CLUB RD; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.teikyopost.edu)
• GOODWIN INSTITUTE (Full-time enrollment: 125; Location: 101 PIERPONT RD; Private, for-profit; Website: www.GOODWINCOLLEGE.ORG)
• INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING INSTITUTE (Full-time enrollment: 61; Location: 233 MILL ST; Private, for-profit; Website: IMTIUSA.COM)
• ACADEMY OF LEARNING-WATERBURY (Location: 720 WOLCOTT ST; Private, for-profit)
• W F KAYNOR REGIONAL VOC TECH SCH ADULT PROGRAM (Location: 43 TOMPKINS ST; Public)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Waterbury:

• QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY (about 14 miles; HAMDEN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 5,836)
• YALE UNIVERSITY (about 16 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 11,011)
• SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY (about 17 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 8,808)
• GATEWAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 19 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 2,100)
• CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY (about 20 miles; NEW BRITAIN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 8,967)
• UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN (about 21 miles; WEST HAVEN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 3,081)
• UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD (about 26 miles; WEST HARTFORD, CT; Full-time enrollment: 5,557)

Schools

Public high schools in Waterbury:

• JOHN F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,359; Location: 422 HIGHLAND AVE.; Grades: 09 – 12)
• CROSBY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,337; Location: 300 PIERPONT RD.; Grades: 09 – 12)
• WILBY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,123; Location: 568 BUCKS HILL RD.; Grades: 09 – 12)
• W. F. KAYNOR V-T SCHOOL (Students: 766; Location: 43 TOMPKINS ST.; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high schools in Waterbury:

• HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 973; Location: 587 ORONOKE ROAD; Grades: 9 – 12)
• SAINT MARGARETS MCTERNAN (Students: 455; Location: 565 CHASE PARKWAY; Grades: PK – 12)
• TRINITY ACADEMY INC (Students: 129; Location: 24 CENTRAL AVENUE; Grades: KG – 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Waterbury:

• WEST SIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,480; Location: 483 CHASE PARKWAY; Grades: 06 – 08)
• MICHAEL F. WALLACE MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,364; Location: 3465 EAST MAIN ST.; Grades: 06 – 08)
• NORTH END MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,166; Location: 534 BUCKS HILL RD.; Grades: 06 – 08)
• H. S. CHASE SCHOOL (Students: 798; Location: 40 WOODTICK RD.; Grades: KG – 05)
• ROTELLA INTERDISTRICT MAGNET SCHOOL (Students: 613; Location: 440 PIERPONT RD.; Grades: PK – 05)
• DRIGGS SCHOOL (Students: 599; Location: 77 WOODLAWN TERRACE; Grades: PK – 05)
• BUCKS HILL SCHOOL (Students: 586; Location: 330 BUCKS HILL RD.; Grades: PK – 05)
• MARGARET M. GENERALI ELEMENTARY (Students: 584; Location: 3196 EAST MAIN STREET; Grades: KG – 05)
• MALONEY INTERDISTRICT MAGNET (Students: 556; Location: 233 SOUTH ELM ST.; Grades: PK – 05)
• WALSH SCHOOL (Students: 556; Location: 29 ASHLEY ST.; Grades: PK – 05)

Private primary/middle schools in Waterbury:

• ST MARY (Students: 505; Location: 55 COLE ST; Grades: KG – 8)
• ST JOSEPH SCHOOL (Students: 427; Location: 29 JOHN ST; Grades: PK – 8)
• SS PETER – PAUL SCHOOL (Students: 296; Location: 116 BEECHER AVENUE; Grades: PK – 8)
• BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL (Students: 254; Location: 386 ROBINWOOD ROAD; Grades: KG – 8)
• ST MARGARET SCHOOL (Students: 253; Location: 289 WILLOW STREET; Grades: PK – 8)
• OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL SCHOOL (Students: 250; Location: 645 CONGRESS AVENUE; Grades: PK – 8)
• ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL (Students: 245; Location: 605 BALDWIN STREET; Grades: PK – 8)
• CHILDRENS COMMUNITY SCHOOL (Students: 77; Location: 31 WOLCOTT ST; Grades: KG – 5)
• WEE CARE NURSERY & DAY CARE (Students: 60; Location: 72 LAKESIDE BLVD WEST; Grades: PK – KG)
• WATERBURY SDA SCHOOL (Students: 6; Location: 1466 THOMASTON AVE; Grades: 2 – 7)

Libraries

Library in Waterbury:

• SILAS BRONSON LIBRARY (Operating income: $2,275,596; Location: 267 GRAND ST.; 243,783 books; 6,373 audio materials; 7,602 video materials; 713 serial subscriptions)