Signals
01852
06854
Opportunity
48 · Bottom 35%
vs44 · Bottom 28%
Growth
60 · Top 33%
vs55 · Top 42%
Climate
63 · Bottom 26%
vs65 · Bottom 36%
Housing affordability
64 · Bottom 27%
vs52 · Bottom 14%
Access
91 · Bottom 45%
vs82 · Bottom 24%
Economic stability
60 · Top 49%
vs66 · Top 39%
Measured values
| Metric | 01852 | 06854 | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,144 | 32,118 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $80,906 | $86,679 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $40,981 | $45,457 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 7,469/sq mi | 6,679/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $424,300 | $460,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,581 | $2,049 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 44.3% | 47.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 4.2% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -4.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 35.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 15.1% | 12.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 229 | 371 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.9 | 4.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 34.7% | -6.1% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 22°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 40.9" | 47.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 22 mi | 36 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 30.4 min | 27.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.2 | 37.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 11 | 5 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 13.65 | 13.61 | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
01852
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
06854
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Full profiles: 01852 — Lowell, MA · 06854 — Norwalk, CT · How this is calculated: methodology