Signals
06451
60432
Opportunity
20 · Bottom 2%
vs20 · Bottom 2%
Growth
45 · Bottom 41%
vs38 · Bottom 31%
Climate
62 · Bottom 23%
vs63 · Bottom 26%
Housing affordability
90 · Top 31%
vs88 · Top 36%
Access
88 · Bottom 34%
vs85 · Bottom 29%
Economic stability
55 · Bottom 42%
vs48 · Bottom 30%
Measured values
| Metric | 06451 | 60432 | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,851 | 20,465 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $71,255 | $64,917 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,040 | $25,984 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 2,529/sq mi | 2,403/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $239,800 | $193,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,213 | $1,253 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 56.9% | 58.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 6.0% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -4.6% | -2.9% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 12.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.3% | 19.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 25 | 312 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.4 | 2.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 212.5% | -43.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.9" | 34.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 28 mi | 31 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.8 min | 31.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.8 | 33.7 | 2024 ACS 5-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.
Full profiles: 06451 — Meriden, CT · 60432 — Joliet, IL · How this is calculated: methodology