Norwalk, CT
Census place 0955990 · pop 92,187
Once known as 'Oyster Town' for the world's largest fleet of steam oyster boats; it still throws a giant annual Oyster Festival.
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities
21 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.49 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities
$2,671/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities
$558,000 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
55.6% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
12.7% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities
95/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities
27 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.40% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities
25.1% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 964/100k · better than most cities
1183 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities
42 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities
+4.0% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities
92.8% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 12.1% · better than most cities
9.1% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
44.8% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median $67,857 · better than most cities
$107,616 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities
14.6% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 152/100k · better than most cities
54 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities
9.4% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 36.5% · better than most cities
26.7% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
Not measured for Norwalk: Jobs. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.
Frequently asked
- Is Norwalk, CT a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Norwalk scores 50/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 21 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is adult obesity and its weakest is unhealthy air days. Connecticut overall ranks #45 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Norwalk, CT?
- Norwalk reports 54 violent crimes per 100k and 1183 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Norwalk, CT expensive to live in?
- Norwalk has a median home value of $558,000 and typical rent around $2,671/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Norwalk, CT?
- Its weakest measured area is unhealthy air days (21 days) — 12/100, worse than most U.S. cities. (A county-level figure.)
- What is Norwalk, CT best at?
- Its strongest measured area is adult obesity (26.7%) — 87/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: Once known as 'Oyster Town' for the world's largest fleet of steam oyster boats; it still throws a giant annual Oyster Festival.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.