Waterbury, CT Demographics

A map of Waterbury's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	44,278	45,281	38.5%	39.6%
White	33,693	37,760	29.3%	33.0%
Black	26,464	22,269	23.0%	19.5%
Multiracial	5,915	4,607	5.1%	4.0%
Asian	2,853	2,349	2.5%	2.1%
Native American/Other	1,666	2,137	1.5%	1.9%

Waterbury, Connecticut has an estimated population of 114,869, a less than 1% change from the 114,403 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 38.5% Hispanic, 29.3% White, 23.0% Black, 5.1% Multiracial, 2.5% Asian, and 1.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Waterbury, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Waterbury has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Connecticut overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Waterbury, that probability was 69.4% in 2020 and 70.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Waterbury is ranked the 5th most populous place in Connecticut, out of 215 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Waterbury was ranked the 5th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Waterbury's White Population

33,693 residents of Waterbury, or 29.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Waterbury is significantly lower than in Connecticut overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. Waterbury ranks 209th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 215 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waterbury's White population has declined by an estimated 10.8%. White residents' share of Waterbury's population has decreased from 33.0% to 29.3%.

Waterbury is less White than neighboring Oakville (80.7% White), Naugatuck (60.2% White), Watertown (80% White), Thomaston (70.9% White), and Terryville (83.6% White).

Waterbury's Black Population

26,464 residents of Waterbury, or 23.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Waterbury is considerably higher than in Connecticut overall, where 9.8% of the population is Black. Waterbury ranks 7th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 215 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waterbury's Black population has grown by an estimated 18.8%. Black residents' share of Waterbury's population has increased from 19.5% to 23.0%.

Waterbury is more Black than neighboring Oakville (1.4% Black), Naugatuck (11.7% Black), Watertown (1.1% Black), Thomaston (6.4% Black), and Terryville (1.2% Black).

Waterbury's Asian Population

2,853 residents of Waterbury, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Waterbury is slightly lower than in Connecticut overall, where 4.7% of the population is Asian. Waterbury ranks 134th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 215 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waterbury's Asian population has grown by an estimated 21.5%. Asian residents' share of Waterbury's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.5%.

Waterbury is more Asian than neighboring Oakville (1.3% Asian), and Terryville (0% Asian). Waterbury is less Asian than neighboring Naugatuck (3.7% Asian), Watertown (6.9% Asian), and Thomaston (4.2% Asian).

Waterbury's Hispanic Population

44,278 residents of Waterbury, or 38.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Waterbury is significantly higher than in Connecticut overall, where 18.3% of the population is Hispanic. Waterbury ranks 5th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 215 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waterbury's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 2.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Waterbury's population has decreased from 39.6% to 38.5%.

Waterbury is more Hispanic than neighboring Oakville (14.3% Hispanic), Naugatuck (17.4% Hispanic), Watertown (6.8% Hispanic), Thomaston (3.6% Hispanic), and Terryville (12.9% Hispanic).

Waterbury's Native American/Other Population

1,666 residents of Waterbury, or 1.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Waterbury is comparable to the share in Connecticut overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Waterbury ranks 15th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 215 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waterbury's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 22.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Waterbury's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.5%.

Waterbury is more Native American/Other than neighboring Oakville (0% Native American/Other), Naugatuck (0.5% Native American/Other), Thomaston (0% Native American/Other), and Terryville (0.8% Native American/Other). Waterbury is less Native American/Other than neighboring Watertown (1.6% Native American/Other).

Waterbury's Multiracial Population

5,915 residents of Waterbury, or 5.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Waterbury is comparable to the share in Connecticut overall, where 4.3% of the population is Multiracial. Waterbury ranks 88th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 215 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waterbury's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 28.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Waterbury's population has increased from 4.0% to 5.1%.

Waterbury is more Multiracial than neighboring Oakville (2.2% Multiracial), Watertown (3.6% Multiracial), and Terryville (1.6% Multiracial). Waterbury is less Multiracial than neighboring Naugatuck (6.5% Multiracial), and Thomaston (14.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.