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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Jason Kemp,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Waterbury, CT sell after 63 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 $269,450, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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