RANK #200 / 996 · POP 451,887 · CT
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.0%
The Naugatuck Valley Planning Region in west-central Connecticut is defined by the Naugatuck River, which flows through its urban centers and rural towns. Waterbury, the largest city, serves as a central hub for the region, which is approximately 70 miles north of New York City. Commute options include the Waterbury branch line of the Metro-North New Haven rail line, offering service to Bridgeport and New Haven, and bus routes connecting to cities like Hartford and New Haven. The region boasts significant natural amenities, with numerous state parks and forests, rivers like the Housatonic and Naugatuck, and extensive trail systems such as the Naugatuck River Greenway and the Larkin Bridle Trail, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities.
Life in the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region offers a blend of urban and rural living. The public schools in the region are generally above average, with districts like Cheshire Public Schools and Pomperaug Regional School District No. 15 noted for their quality. The region's economy, historically rooted in manufacturing and the brass industry, has seen shifts, with healthcare and social assistance now a leading sector. Recent economic developments include investments in transportation, housing, and downtown improvements, alongside efforts to redevelop former industrial sites and expand trail networks. The population has experienced growth, driven primarily by immigration and domestic migration.
Overvalued relative to economy
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Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region has a Boom Town Index score of 80/100, ranking #200 among 996 U.S. counties. With a median household income of $82,939, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region is $273,500 with median rent at $1,218/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3033, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: — year-over-year. Job growth: 0.0%.
Yes — 2.83% of Naugatuck Valley Planning Region's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.