UNRANKED · POP 454,969
⚠ LIMITED DATA
Connecticut replaced its 8 counties with 9 planning regions in 2022. Federal data sources (Zillow, BEA, BLS) still report under the old county FIPS codes, so this planning region has incomplete data coverage. This page is not included in the Boom Town Index rankings.
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
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 12.4x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
The data is not encouraging — Naugatuck Valley Planning Region scores just 0/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #None of 1001 counties. Job growth at -0.3% and median household income of $86,191 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $317,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,330/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.3%). In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.63% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Naugatuck Valley Planning Region has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.