Naugatuck and surrounding towns in the Naugatuck River Valley of Central Connecticut were thriving industrial centers dating as far back as the 1700s, with Naugatuck especially known for its rubber production beginning in the late 1800s. However, as industry in the region declined in the second half of the 20th century, Naugatuck reinvented itself into a quiet suburb of larger cities like Hartford and New Haven. With a population of nearly 32,000 people, Naugatuck offers small-town appeal with expanding recreation options along the Naugatuck River, a quaint downtown undergoing massive infrastructure upgrades and a variety of housing options priced well below the national average.
Architecture in Naugatuck reflects its long and colorful history as a neighborhood.
Walking is the preferred method of travel in the heart of downtown Naugatuck.
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Housing costs below the national median
Naugatuck’s properties range from traditional and Victorian-style homes built in the late 1800s to contemporary suburban houses built between the 2000s and today. “There’s a very good mix of housing here,” says Mary Ann Hebert, a local real estate broker with Bannon & Hebert Properties. “You’ll see everything from condo units to spacious properties with large acreage.” Naugatuck has a median home price of $310,000, lower than the national median home price of $430,000.
The town has recently made significant infrastructure upgrades, including replacing all gas, electrical and water lines. There are also plans for a new train station and a transit-oriented, mixed-use development downtown, among other improvements.
New colonial-style home's are being built and are available throughout Naugatuck.
Split level homes can be found throughout the Naugatuck neighborhood as well.
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Recreation on the river and a new skate park
The Naugatuck River, once among the most polluted rivers in the country, underwent a major restoration starting in the 1990s. Today, locals can fish for trout and salmon in the cleaned-up waterway going through the town and walk along the Naugatuck River Greenway. Once the entire greenway is completed, it will span 44 miles and connect 11 towns. Other popular outdoor areas include Naugatuck State Forest, which has nature trails along bubbling creeks, and Linden Park, which has a playground, pickleball courts and a skatepark that opened in 2023. Additionally, the YMCA on Church Street has an indoor pool, indoor basketball court and fitness facilities.
The Naugatuck neighborhood is a unique and great place to live, work and play in.
Naugatuck was named after the Naugatuck River, which flows and courses through its landscape.
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Church Street has historic buildings and businesses
Just west of the Naugatuck River, Church Street is Naugatuck’s small downtown lined with historic buildings like the Howard Whittemore Memorial Library and the Bronson B. Tuttle House, a Victorian landmark now home to the Naugatuck Historical Society Museum. The area also has local businesses like The Loaded Goat Coffee Company on Church Street and Nardelli's Grinder Shoppe on Maple Street. Wilson Lamas, Naugatuck native and real estate agent at Realty Group of New England, says he expects the downtown to continue growing. “We have this revitalization and new apartments being built, which should bring in more businesses into the downtown,” he says.
Downtown also hosts events, including the popular “Naugapalooza,” the town’s spring festival with entertainment like a food truck judging competition, antique car show, tag sale and live music. The Naugatuck Green, between Church and Meadow Streets, also hosts gatherings like summer concerts and the Naugatuck Farmers Market.
Just off the downtown on Water Street, The Station Restaurant serves American classics in the old Naugatuck train station. Built in the early 1900s, the station maintains original details like a high, vaulted ceiling with colorful mosaic designs and a large marble fireplace. For errands, Bridge Street has a Big Y World Class Market and Family Dollar, and New Haven Road has a Walmart. Nearby Waterbury has more retailers like Target and T.J. Maxx just north.
Downtown Naugatuck has a variety of cute stores and eateries certain to appease all.
Come and get a manicure with the friendly staff at M&M Beauty Salon in Naugatuck.
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Commuting from Naugatuck by car, train and bus
According to Lamas, Naugatuck residents commute all around Connecticut. “We’re central in the state, and 30 minutes from every major city: Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Danbury,” he says. For healthcare, Waterbury Hospital is 6 miles north, and Hartford and New Haven both have international airports. Drivers can get to Hartford, 35 miles northeast, and Danbury, 30 miles southwest, on Interstate 84, and Route 63 takes locals 17 miles southeast to New Haven. Riders can get to Bridgeport and continue to New York City on the commuter train from Naugatuck. CTtransit buses also service routes around Naugatuck and the region.
Naugatuck School District serves students
Students attend schools in the Naugatuck School District, which has a B-minus rating overall from Niche. The district’s elementary and middle schools funnel into Naugatuck High School, which has a B from Niche. Naugatuck High serves about 1,300 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 14-to-1. In 2015, it completed an $81 million renovation project that updated the interior and exterior of the school building and added new technology. Naugatuck’s athletic rivalry with nearby Ansonia High School has spanned well over 100 years, with the schools’ annual Thanksgiving football game drawing big crowds.
Naugatuck High School soars high in both academics and athletics.
Naugatuck High School features a well-maintained field and track for its students.
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Managing crime and weather events in Naugatuck
According to the FBI’s crime database, the Naugatuck Police Department reported property and violent crime rates lower than the national average in most months during 2022 and 2023.
Naugatuck experiences warm summers and cold winters, with 28 inches of snowfall each year on average. Some properties around the Naugatuck River are at risk of flooding. Additionally, the Naugatuck Treatment Plant along the water can cause odors in some parts of the town.
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.
