West Haven, Connecticut Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

West Haven, Connecticut is located in the southwestern corner of the state, along the Long Island Sound. It is bordered by New Haven to the north and east, Orange to the west, and Milford to the south. The city experiences a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters.

West Haven has a rich history that dates back to 1648 when it was founded as a part of New Haven Colony. It was incorporated as a city in 1921. West Haven is currently governed by Mayor Nancy Rossi who was elected in 2017.

The economy of West Haven is primarily based on services, with education and health services being two of its major employers. There are also many retail establishments including several shopping malls in town. The University of New Haven also has an important presence in West Haven’s economy.

West Haven is home to an excellent school system that includes four public elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and three magnet schools. Additionally, there are three private schools located in town as well as several parochial schools for those wishing for a religious education option for their children.

Some popular landmarks found throughout West Haven include Allingtown Green Park which features several walking trails and picnic areas; Savin Rock Amusement Park which offers rides, games and other attractions; Silver Sands State Park which offers beach access; and Bradley Point Lighthouse which offers stunning views of Long Island Sound from its perch atop a cliff overlooking the water.

Population: 52,360. Estimated population in July 2024: 52,923 (+1.1% change)
Males: 24,995 (47.7%), Females: 27,365 (52.3%)

New Haven County

Demographics

Median resident age: 36.4 years
Median household income: $42,393
Median house value: $118,600

Population by Race

Races in West Haven:

• White Non-Hispanic (69.7%)
• Black (16.3%)
• Hispanic (9.1%)
• Other race (3.6%)
• Two or more races (2.8%)
• Asian Indian (0.9%)
• Other Asian (0.7%)
• American Indian (0.7%)
• Chinese (0.5%)

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

Ancestries: Italian (27.5%), Irish (17.9%), German (7.7%), English (7.0%), Polish (5.4%), French (4.0%).

Elevation: 25 feet

Land area: 10.8 square miles

Population by Education

West Haven, Connecticut is a city of 55,564 people as of 2019. The population is largely diverse, with the largest groups being White (59.3%), African American (12.2%), Hispanic (17.3%), Asian (8.7%) and other races combined making up the remaining 2.5%. Nearly 30% of the population speaks a language other than English at home, and the leading languages are Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese. The median age in West Haven is 38 years old, making it slightly younger than the average for Connecticut as a whole. The city has seen a steady growth in population since 2000 due to its proximity to New Haven and Yale University, as well as its access to Long Island Sound beaches and parks. West Haven also features an array of entertainment venues including movie theaters, bowling alleys and museums that cater to tourists and locals alike. The city also has numerous public schools ranging from elementary schools to colleges that serve students from all over the area. In terms of real estate, West Haven offers homes at various price points with some waterfront properties available for those looking for luxury living near Long Island Sound beaches or near downtown New Haven itself. Overall, West Haven is an attractive place to live with plenty of options for entertainment and education that make it an ideal location for families or individuals looking to relocate or just have fun!

For population 25 years and over in West Haven

• High school or higher: 81.0%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.1%
• Graduate or professional degree: 7.1%
• Unemployed: 5.3%
• Mean travel time to work: 22.3 minutes

For population 15 years and over in West Haven city

• Never married: 31.6%
• Now married: 47.2%
• Separated: 1.3%
• Widowed: 8.9%
• Divorced: 11.0%

11.4% Foreign born (3.9% Latin America, 3.2% Europe, 3.1% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: -1,964 (-3.6%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near West Haven:

• YALE-NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL (about 4 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT)
• HOSPITAL OF ST RAPHAEL (about 5 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT)
• CONNECTICUT MENTAL HEALTH CENTER (about 7 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to West Haven:

• TWEED-NEW HAVEN (about 6 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT; Abbreviation: HVN)
• IGOR I SIKORSKY MEMORIAL (about 14 miles; BRIDGEPORT, CT; Abbreviation: BDR)
• LONG ISLAND MAC ARTHUR (about 35 miles; ISLIP, NY; Abbreviation: ISP)

Other public-use airports nearest to West Haven:

• WATERBURY-OXFORD (about 18 miles; OXFORD, CT; Abbreviation: OXC)
• HUMMINGBIRD (about 19 miles; WALLINGFORD, CT; Abbreviation: 4C3)
• MERIDEN MARKHAM MUNI (about 19 miles; MERIDEN, CT; Abbreviation: MMK)

Amtrak stations near West Haven:

• 4 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.
• 16 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: BRIDGEPORT (525 WATER ST.). Services: fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, snack bar, paid short-term parking, paid long-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand, intercity bus service, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in West Haven:

• UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN (Full-time enrollment: 3,081; Location: 300 ORANGE AVE; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.newhaven.edu; Offers Doctor’s degree)
• BARAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (Full-time enrollment: 6; Location: 15 KIMBERLY AVE; Private, for-profit; Website: www.baraninstitute.com)
• CONNECTICUT INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (Location: 2 ELIZABETH ST; Private, for-profit)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near West Haven:

• SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY (about 4 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 8,808)
• GATEWAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 5 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 2,100)
• YALE UNIVERSITY (about 7 miles; NEW HAVEN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 11,011)
• QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY (about 11 miles; HAMDEN, CT; Full-time enrollment: 5,836)
• SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY (about 20 miles; FAIRFIELD, CT; Full-time enrollment: 4,120)
• NAUGATUCK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 21 miles; WATERBURY, CT; Full-time enrollment: 2,834)
• FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY (about 22 miles; FAIRFIELD, CT; Full-time enrollment: 4,197)

Schools

Public high school in West Haven:

• WEST HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,758; Location: ONE MCDONOUGH PLAZA; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in West Haven:

• NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 667; Location: 24 RICARDO STREET; Grades: 9 – 12; Boys only)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in West Haven:

• MAY V. CARRIGAN MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,013; Location: 2 TETLOW ST.; Grades: 06 – 08)
• HARRY M. BAILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 906; Location: 106 MORGAN LN.; Grades: 06 – 08)
• FOREST SCHOOL (Students: 547; Location: 95 BURWELL RD.; Grades: KG – 05)
• SAVIN ROCK COMMUNITY SCHOOL (Students: 517; Location: 50 PARK ST.; Grades: KG – 05)
• SETH G. HALEY SCHOOL (Students: 487; Location: 148 SOUTH ST.; Grades: KG – 05)
• EDITH E. MACKRILLE SCHOOL (Students: 421; Location: 806 JONES HILL RD.; Grades: PK – 05)
• ALMA E. PAGELS SCHOOL (Students: 405; Location: 26 BENHAM HILL RD.; Grades: PK – 05)
• WASHINGTON SCHOOL (Students: 401; Location: 369 WASHINGTON AVE.; Grades: KG – 05)
• CLARENCE E. THOMPSON SCHOOL (Students: 337; Location: 165 RICHARDS ST.; Grades: KG – 05)
• ANNA V. MOLLOY SCHOOL (Students: 316; Location: 225 MELOY RD.; Grades: KG – 05)