West Haven, CT Local Data & Statistics

State: CT

Total population: 55,351 Household income: $74,382 Rent: $1,442

Overview

Total population

55,351

Rent

$1,442

Year built

1959

Household income

$74,382

Per capita income

$35,740

Poverty rate

14.1%

Unemployment rate

3.0%

Household size

2.5 persons

Rent over 30% of income

50.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Connecticut

Total population

55,351

Adults over 25

35,839

Total households

20,938

Household size

2.5 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$74,382

Per capita income

$35,740

Poverty rate

14.1%

Unemployment rate

3.0%

Rent over 30% of income

50.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,442

Year built

1959

Households that rent

49.4%

Households that own

50.6%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.0

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

47.2%

Black

20.9%

Asian

5.6%

Two or more races

11.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

27.4%

Not Hispanic or Latino

72.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

90.8%

Commute time to work

23 mins

Work from home

9.2%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

27.7%

High school graduate or GED

32.9%

Some college or associate degree

8.8%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

30.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of West Haven, CT with: Connecticut United States

West Haven, CT

Total population55,351

Rent$1,442

Year built1959

Household income$74,382

Per capita income$35,740

Poverty rate14.1%

Unemployment rate3.0%

Connecticut State

Total population3,624,508

Rent$1,488

Year built1967

Household income$95,781

Per capita income$55,915

Poverty rate10%

Unemployment rate3.2%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityWest Haven, CT	StateConnecticut	CountryUnited States
Total population	55,351	3,624,508	334,922,499
Rent	$1,442	$1,488	$1,413
Year built	1959	1967	1980
Household income	$74,382	$95,781	$80,734
Per capita income	$35,740	$55,915	$44,673
Poverty rate	14.1%	10%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	3.0%	3.2%	4%

View the complete comparison of West Haven, CT, Connecticut and United States →

Summary for West Haven, CT

West Haven is located in Connecticut.

Rent & Income

In West Haven, the typical monthly rent is $1,442 and the typical household income is $74,382. Rent here is similar to both Connecticut and the U.S., and household income is lower than both Connecticut and the U.S. The estimated poverty rate is 14.1%, which is higher than in both Connecticut and national.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 49.4% of households, indicating a relatively balanced mix of renters and owners. About 50.8% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 30.5% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is lower than both Connecticut and the national rate.

West Haven, CT — Rent vs Household Income

West Haven, CT — Poverty vs Unemployment

How West Haven, CT compares in Connecticut (11 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,442	6 / 11	from lower rent	$1,225 – $2,276
Household income	$74,382	5 / 11	from higher income	$46,411 – $111,586
Poverty rate	14.1%	6 / 11	from lower poverty	9.1% – 26.3%
Unemployment rate	3%	5 / 11	from lower unemployment	2.3% – 4.3%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Connecticut with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for West Haven, CT

Rent

When it comes to rent costs, West Haven places 6th among 11 large places in Connecticut. Across the state, rents run from $1,225 in Waterbury, CT up to $2,276 in Stamford, CT.

Household income

In terms of household income, West Haven comes in 5th among 11 major places. Across Connecticut, income levels vary from $46,411 in Hartford, CT to $111,586 in Stamford, CT.

Poverty rate

For poverty rates, West Haven is ranked 6th among 11 major areas. Across Connecticut, poverty runs from 9.1% in Norwalk, CT to 26.3% in Hartford, CT.

Unemployment rate

For joblessness, West Haven ranks 5th out of 11 significant areas. Across Connecticut, unemployment varies from 2.3% in Danbury, CT to 4.3% in Hartford, CT.

💰 Rent in West Haven, CT (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,442 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in West Haven, CT

Annual Household Income: $74,382

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in West Haven, CT

Estimated Rate: 14.1%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in West Haven, CT

In West Haven, CT, households that rent: 10,348 (49.4%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	10,348	49.4%
Owner-Occupied	10,590	50.6%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in West Haven, CT

In West Haven, CT, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 5,259 (50.8%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	5,259	50.8%
Other renter households	5,089	49.2%
Total renter households	10,348	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in West Haven, CT

Less than High School: 9,938 people (27.7%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 11,808 people (32.9%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 3,171 people (8.8%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 10,922 people (30.5%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 35,839

📊 Unemployment Rate in West Haven, CT

Estimated Rate: 3.0%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Tigard, OR55,395 Perth Amboy, NJ55,278 Valdosta, GA55,222 Chicopee, MA55,213 Southaven, MS55,531 Arcadia, CA55,550 Coeur d'Alene, ID55,558 Olympia, WA55,583 Smyrna, TN55,066 Mount Prospect, IL55,648

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.