Formerly known as "Brass City," Waterbury thrived as an industrial center in Connecticut through the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, with factories across the Naugatuck Valley. However, industry in Waterbury diminished as the demand for brass declined in favor of cheaper materials like plastic and aluminum, and jobs were outsourced elsewhere. "By the '80s, things started to close up," says Wilson Lamas, local Realtor at Realty Group of New England. "There were a lot of blue-collar workers, but then the dynamic changed when all these factories closed down. Now it's more of a commuter location."
In the post-industrial era, Waterbury has reinvented itself as a comparatively affordable town within commuting distance of cities like Hartford and New Haven. The city today has about 115,000 people who enjoy venues like the restored Palace Theater, outdoor spaces like Fulton Park, and a variety of urban and suburban housing options. "It is a really beautiful city," Lamas says. "They're trying to revitalize and make things happen."
The Waterbury mural and the Union Station Building Tower shine bright in the afternoon sun.
The Soldiers Monument sculpture at the Waterbury Green greets Downtown Waterbury visitors.
Holy Land is an attraction that is a photographers paradise in Downtown Waterbury.
The Mattituck Museum should be on your shortlist of
1/4
Cottages, Colonials and ranches among housing options
The median housing price in Waterbury is $250,000. Condo units typically cost between $100,000 and $250,000, while single-family homes usually cost between $200,000 and $400,000. Cottages and ranches built before 1950 represent the lower end of this range, while larger Colonial Revivals and some historic Victorian homes represent the pricier properties. Suburban neighborhoods within the town, like Bunker Hill and East Mountain, sit on hilltops with views of the surrounding rolling terrain, while downtown is down in the Naugatuck River Valley.
The Oronoke Road condos in Downtown Waterbury provide serene living a short drive from downtown.
Fairfield Avenue has a variety of home styles in Downtown Waterbury.
Fairfield Avenue has some classical New England homes like this standout in Downtown Waterbury.
Nichols Drive in Downtown Waterbury offers smaller homes with adorable properties.
1/4
Working in healthcare and commuting from Waterbury
Interstate 84 crosses east-west through the town, and Route 8 crosses north-south. Locals can drive or take CTtransit buses, which serve routes around Waterbury and the region.
Saint Mary's Hospital and Waterbury Hospital employ several thousand people in the town. Many people commute to nearby cities like New Haven (25 miles south) or Hartford (30 miles northeast). Lamas says that some people also commute into New York City, about 95 miles southwest. Riders can take the train from Waterbury Union Station to Bridgeport and switch onto the New Haven Line to New York.
Waterbury experiences hot summers and cold winters. Winter temperatures are regularly below freezing, with occasional bouts of snow. "The weather really varies. The last couple of years we didn't get hardly any snowfall," Lamas says.
Route 8 runs right through the heart of Waterbury.
Saint Mary's Hospital is located right in the heart of Waterbury.
Waterbury Hospital is a very active and awarded medical center.
Platt park provides incredibly yearlong access to the Naugatuck River in Waterbury.
1/4
Dozens of parks and a new greenway
Waterbury maintains over 30 public parks, golf courses and recreation centers across the city. These spaces include the Western Hills and East Mountain golf courses, three city pools and dozens of tennis courts and baseball fields.
Among the parks in Waterbury is Fulton Park, which has 70 acres of fountains, ponds and creeks among landscaped flowerbeds and trees for park visitors to explore. The park was designed in the 1920s by the Olmsted Brothers, prominent landscape architects who helped found the National Park Service.
In 2023, the city opened Platt Park, where visitors can access trails along the Naugatuck River and launch kayaks. The city plans to extend the Naugatuck River Greenway so that it eventually spans 45 miles along the riverfront, running from the town of Torrington through Waterbury to Derby.
Relax under the gazebo at Fulton Park in Downtown Waterbury.
Platt park in Waterbury is a brand new riverfront access point on the Naugatuck rail trail.
Waterbury Country Club is a private club a few minutes from Downtown Waterbury.
Library Park surrounds the Downtown Waterbury Library.
1/4
Palace Theater downtown and community events
Downtown, Waterbury's Palace Theater hosts off-Broadway performances, concerts and private events in its nearly 3,000-seat Renaissance Revival-style theater that opened in 1922. For more entertainment, the Roller Magic indoor skating rink sits just off Harvester Road, and Lake Compounce Amusement & Water Park is a 20-minute drive away in Bristol. The town also hosts community events like Jazz Fest at Library Park's outdoor stage and the Greater Waterbury Puerto Rican Day Parade & Festival downtown in September. Lamas says people also drive to other nearby cities like New Haven for more cultural options. "Waterbury isn't necessarily small, but if you want to diversify, you're close to major hubs," he says.
Waterbury’s Palace Theater is known for its stunning architecture and exceptional shows.
Lake Compounce in Bristol is the oldest amusement park in America.
Brass City Harvest brings the best of local farms to Waterbury's tables.
Join the fun at Waterbury’s annual Greek Festival for a taste of Greek culture.
1/4
Italian restaurants and Brass Mill Center
Waterbury has several popular Italian restaurants, including La Tavola and D'Amelio's Italian Eatery on Highland Avenue and San Marino Ristorante Italiano downtown. Downtown has several more Italian and Dominican restaurants as well. Waterbury Plaza Center has big box stores like Target and Stop & Shop, and Brass Mill Center is the town's mall off Interstate 84.
Via Al Paraiso is a stand out latin restaurant on Grand Street in Waterbury.
Banana Brasil in Downtown Waterbury has a buffet that demands a visit.
Stop&Shop in Waterbury provides all the grocery needs.
Brass Mill Center in Downtown Waterbury offers a family-friendly shopping experience.
1/4
Waterbury Schools with specialized curriculum
Waterbury's public school system has an overall C grade from Niche and teaches nearly 19,000 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade. In addition to the traditional curriculum, the district has specialized programs at schools like Waterbury Career Academy. This high school earns a B rating from Niche and has specialized programs in career pathways like healthcare and manufacturing. The Roberto Clemente International Dual Language School is an elementary school in the town with a Spanish-English immersion curriculum. It accepts students via a lottery and is not yet rated by Niche.
There are options for post-secondary education in Waterbury, as well. UConn's Waterbury branch is a public university with about 1,000 students. Post University is a private, for-profit school with about 2,000 in-person students.
Driggs School welcomes your child to education.
West Side Middle School serves middle school students.
John F. Kennedy High School sits on a safe and secure campus.
UCONN Waterbury is located on E Main St. across from the Palace Theater.
1/4
Crime statistics for Waterbury
According to FBI statistics, Waterbury's violent and property crime rates are both consistently higher than national crime rates. The Waterbury Police Department reports that violent and property crime figures remained stable from 2022 to 2023.
Written By
Faith Wakefield
Photography Contributed By
Chris Mantz
Video By
Austin Lewis
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Joseph DeFrancisco,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Waterbury, CT sell after 62 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Waterbury, CT over the last 12 months is $270,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 1159 Highland Avenue 3A, a beautifully maintained townhouse in the quiet, private Highland Woods complex in the Town Plot area of Waterbury. Enjoy a clean and spacious two-bedroom home, one owner for its entirety, with modern conveniences, including a dishwasher, gas range, and one-car garage with main level access. The kitchen boasts updated quartz countertops, tile backsplash and
New Construction - Country Club Estates 2114 SQ Ft Raised Ranch - On a Cul De Sac - Abuts Country Club - Spacious open-concept floor plan, highlighted by gleaming hardwood floors, abundant natural light, Seasonal Views and sophisticated finishes throughout. The chef's kitchen featuring custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a large center island, and GE Cafe Series Connected Appliance - 5 Burner
Ranch style home featuring Central Air, 3 bedrooms 1-bathroom, large living room, dining room, kitchen and garage. New roof just installed July 2025, newer water heater, new water meter installed Sept 2025. Corner lot with great space for outdoor activities. Close to major highways, restaurants, shopping, and parks. Off street parking. Property sold " AS IS" condition. Easy to show! A must see!
This remodeled 4 bedroom Colonial in the Bunker Hill part of Waterbury is perfect for the buyer who is looking for a lot of space! The kitchen has new cabinets and appliances, the bathrooms have been updated, the hardwood floors were refinished, and there is fresh paint throughout the inside. The walk-up attic is finished as well as the basement, there is plenty of room for everyone! This house
Welcome to this beautifully updated home offering 1,654 sq +/- between the main level and finished lower level. The first floor features a large living room with hardwood floors which leads to the stylish, updated kitchen with tile floor, new stainless appliances, and an attractive backsplash. Adjacent is the dining room also featuring hardwood floors, two spacious bedrooms, and a modern full
Welcome to a well-maintained ranch in the heart of Waterbury's desirable Bunker Hill neighborhood. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers comfortable living on a generous lot and is ideal for buyers seeking both convenience and nature access. Inside you'll find a bright living room, hardwood floors, a modern kitchen with quartz counters and stainless steel appliances, and a master suite with full
Beautifully renovated 3-bedroom, 1-bath apartment located on the second floor of a fully renovated multifamily property in Waterbury's North End. This unit has been completely redone with top-quality materials throughout. Features include brand-new hardwood floors, recessed lighting, and a modern kitchen with new cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and high-end tile flooring. The bathroom is
Beautiful 4BR Ranch home over 2300 sq.ft was totally remodeled a couple years back, so everything is like brand new from top to bottom! 4 Bedrooms with 4th bedroom located in lower level with half bath and washer and dryer. There is a Primary Bedroom Suite with a full bath, his and her closets and 2 more huge Bedrooms with double closets ! New Eat in kitchen fully applianced with tiled
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
