Signals
06854
01852
Opportunity
44 · Bottom 28%
vs48 · Bottom 35%
Growth
55 · Top 42%
vs60 · Top 33%
Climate
65 · Bottom 36%
vs63 · Bottom 26%
Housing affordability
52 · Bottom 14%
vs64 · Bottom 27%
Access
82 · Bottom 24%
vs91 · Bottom 45%
Economic stability
66 · Top 39%
vs60 · Top 49%
Measured values
| Metric | 06854 | 01852 | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,118 | 37,144 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $86,679 | $80,906 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $45,457 | $40,981 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 6,679/sq mi | 7,469/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $460,500 | $424,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,049 | $1,581 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 47.1% | 44.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% | 4.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -4.7% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 33.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.5% | 15.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 371 | 229 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.0 | 1.9 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -6.1% | 34.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 22°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 40.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 36 mi | 22 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 27.8 min | 30.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.7 | 38.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 5 | 11 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 13.61 | 13.65 | 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
06854
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
01852
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: 06854 — Norwalk, CT · 01852 — Lowell, MA · How this is calculated: methodology