Signals
06708
06450
Opportunity
17 · Bottom 1%
vs22 · Bottom 3%
Growth
52 · Top 47%
vs45 · Bottom 41%
Climate
62 · Bottom 23%
vs62 · Bottom 23%
Housing affordability
85 · Top 42%
vs84 · Top 43%
Access
85 · Bottom 28%
vs88 · Bottom 34%
Economic stability
50 · Bottom 34%
vs55 · Bottom 42%
Measured values
| Metric | 06708 | 06450 | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,594 | 35,694 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $67,364 | $71,250 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $34,563 | $37,885 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,132/sq mi | 2,564/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $218,500 | $242,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,313 | $1,355 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 59.3% | 62.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 7.6% | 5.8% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -5.3% | -4.6% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 23.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 16.6% | 13.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 116 | 25 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.0 | 0.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 222.2% | 212.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.9" | 44.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 33 mi | 28 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 29.6 min | 24.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.5 | 39.0 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 8 | 14 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 13.08 | 14.93 | 2024-25 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 71.9% | 74.5% | 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.
Full profiles: 06708 — Waterbury, CT · 06450 — Meriden, CT · How this is calculated: methodology