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Zip Code 06516

West Haven, CT • New Haven County

Real Estate Market Analysis

Q3 2025 Report
$355,000 (June 2025)
Median Home Value
~54,000
Population
$62,000
Median Income
Average (statewide comparison)
School District Rating

Market Statistics

Property Values

$355,000 (June 2025)
Median Home Value
$2,100 (estimate, 2025)
Median Rent
$239 (June 2025)
Price per Sq Ft

Market Performance

Home Appreciation9.2% YoY (June 2025); 15.3% YoY (Dec 2024)
Market VelocitySeller's market; homes sell quickly, avg. 51 days on market (statewide)
Foreclosure RateLow (no spike reported in 2025)

Area Information

Area Size~10 sq mi
CountyNew Haven
Primary CityWest Haven

Housing Profile

Housing Statistics

Total Housing Units~24,000 (estimate)
Owner Occupied~47%
Rental Properties~53%
Vacant Units~8%
New ConstructionLimited; tight inventory, few new builds

Housing Types

Single-family homesMulti-family homesCondosApartments

Demographics

~54,000
Population
36.5 years
Median Age
$62,000
Median Income
~95% (5% unemployment, 2025 est.)
Employment Rate
High school grad+: 88%; Bachelor's+: 28%
Education Levels
Mix of families, singles, students, retirees
Family Composition

Education Quality

School District Performance

Average (statewide comparison)
District Rating
School DistrictWest Haven School District
Test ScoresSlightly below CT average
Graduation Rates~85%

Schools in Area

  • West Haven High School
  • Bailey Middle School
  • Forest Elementary School

Economic Factors

Employment & Business

Job GrowthSteady, 1.5% YoY (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate~5%
Business EnvironmentStable, with focus on healthcare, education, and services
Commercial ActivityModerate; retail, healthcare, and education sectors strong

Major Employers

  • Yale University
  • Yale New Haven Hospital
  • VA Connecticut Healthcare
  • Local manufacturing

Infrastructure & Quality of Life

Infrastructure

Transportation Access

  • • Metro-North Railroad (West Haven Station)
  • • I-95 highway
  • • CT Transit bus lines

Utilities & Services

  • • Electricity (UI)
  • • Natural gas (Southern CT Gas)
  • • Water (Regional Water Authority)
  • • Sewer

Quality of Life

Safety & Environment

Moderate; higher than CT average but trending down

Good; coastal location, some flood risk

Healthcare Access

  • • Yale New Haven Hospital
  • • VA Connecticut Healthcare

Development Trends

Planned Developments

  • Mixed-use waterfront redevelopment
  • Downtown revitalization projects

Infrastructure Projects

  • • Road improvements near train station
  • • Flood mitigation projects

Investment Outlook

Growth Outlook

Positive, with moderate population and economic growth expected

Investment Opportunities

  • • Waterfront properties
  • • Multi-family conversions
  • • Short-term rentals

Marketing Intelligence

Target Demographics

  • First-time buyers
  • Young professionals
  • Investors
  • Downsizers

Competitive Advantages

  • Lower prices than New Haven
  • Direct rail access to NYC
  • Coastal amenities

Pricing Strategies

Price competitively below New Haven; leverage recent appreciation

Common Objections & Response Strategies

Objection: Higher property taxes than some CT towns

Response Strategy:

Emphasize city services, amenities, and access to jobs

Objection: School ratings below some suburbs

Response Strategy:

Highlight ongoing district improvements and proximity to top private schools

Objection: Flood risk in coastal areas

Response Strategy:

Discuss flood mitigation investments and insurance options

Professional Recommendations

1

Leverage local market data to set realistic pricing and expectations

2

Highlight unique coastal and transit advantages in marketing

3

Educate buyers on competitive offer strategies

4

Target investor clients with rental yield data

5

Stay informed on flood mitigation and zoning changes impacting value

Competitive Analysis

Comparable Markets

  • New Haven (06511, 06510)
  • Milford (06460)
  • East Haven (06512)

Market Positioning

Affordable coastal alternative to New Haven

Competitive Advantages

  • Lower entry prices than New Haven
  • Direct rail and highway access
  • Beachfront lifestyle

Price Comparison

~15-20% lower median price than New Haven

Investment Metrics

5.5-6.5% (multi-family, 2025 est.)
Cap Rates
~6% gross yield
Rental Yields
~14-16
Price-to-Rent
Strong for well-located rentals, especially near transit and hospitals
Cash Flow
5-7% annual (2025-2026)
Appreciation

Buyer Journey Insights

First-Time Buyers

Attracted by affordability, transit, and amenities; may need education on bidding in a seller's market

Move-Up Buyers

Seek larger homes or waterfront upgrades; inventory is tight, so timing is key

Downsizers

Value condos and low-maintenance homes near amenities

Investors

Target multi-family and short-term rentals; strong demand from students and healthcare workers

Relocators

Drawn by proximity to New Haven and NYC, plus coastal lifestyle

This zip code analysis was generated using comprehensive market data and AI intelligence.

Market conditions change rapidly - consult with local real estate professionals for the most current information.

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6606 (CT)

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6106 (CT)

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