Living in Derby, CT
Derby is a small New Haven County city of 5.06 square miles where the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers meet, with a Metro-North station and Route 8 and Route 34 running through it.
Derby at a glance
- Median sale price
- $370,000+8.8% vs last year 126 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 38.44 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$10,000 median-priced home
- Population
- 12,915 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 5.1 sq mi 2,552 per sq mi
What it is like in Derby
Derby is in New Haven County, at the point where the Naugatuck River joins the Housatonic River. It covers 5.06 square miles of land, had a population of 12,915, and borders Ansonia, Shelton, Seymour, Orange and Woodbridge.
The Naugatuck River divides the city into East Derby and Derby Center, also known as Birmingham. English settlers established a trading post here in 1642, and Derby was incorporated in 1775. Ansonia, Seymour, Oxford and Beacon Falls were later separated from it.
Landmarks include the Sterling Opera House, the first building in Connecticut added to the National Register of Historic Places, in 1968. The city says it is not currently open to the public. The Birmingham Green Historic District and the Kraus Corset Factory are also on the National Register.
Derby's outdoor places include Osbornedale State Park, East Derby Green, O'Sullivan's Island Recreation Park, Derby Greenway, Witek Park and Coon Hollow Park. Osbornedale State Park covers 417 acres.
The Osborne Homestead Museum at 500 Hawthorne Avenue is a house museum open seasonally. Twisted Vine Restaurant on Main Street, Roseland Apizza on Hawthorne Avenue and the BAD SONS Beer Company taproom on Roosevelt Drive are in town. Annual events include Derby Day, Concert on the Green, the Head of the Housatonic Regatta, a Memorial Day parade and Fourth of July fireworks.
Getting around from Derby
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 59 min | 43 |
| New Haven | 18 min | 9 |
| Stamford | 51 min | 36 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 104 min | 71 |
| Boston | 179 min | 143 |
| Providence | 143 min | 114 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 82 min | 60 |
Rail stations nearby
- Derby-Shelton 0.4 mi Metro-North
- Ansonia 1.3 mi Metro-North
- Seymour 4.8 mi Metro-North
Highways and routes
Route 8 runs through Derby, and Route 34 passes through as Main Street and Roosevelt Drive. The Derby-Shelton station, 0.4 miles away by straight line, is on the Metro-North Waterbury Branch. Ansonia station is 1.3 miles and Seymour station is 4.8 miles away.
By car, New Haven is 18 minutes (9 miles), Stamford is 51 minutes (36 miles), Hartford is 59 minutes (43 miles) and New York City (Midtown) is 104 minutes (71 miles). Bradley Airport is 82 minutes (60 miles) away.
Schools in Derby
5 public schools in Derby School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 2
- Bradley
- Irving
Middle 1
- Derby
High school 1
- Derby High School
Other 1
- Little Raiders University
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Derby School District on the state's EdSight site.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data. We do not rate or rank schools.
Eat, drink and explore in Derby
Open Derby in Google Maps →Eat and drink 6
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Brewery taproom beside the Housatonic River with an outdoor yard that has fire pits and games.
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Pizzeria on Main Street serving New Haven-style apizza, stuffed breads, meatballs and salads.
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Neighborhood bar and kitchen serving wings in over 100 flavors, burgers, craft beer and bourbons.
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New Haven-style pizza restaurant that also serves Italian dishes such as lasagna and lobster ravioli.
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Bar and pizzeria serving New Haven-style apizza, pastas, subs and salads, with catering.
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Dinner restaurant with a main dining room and a downstairs room and bar called Birmingham Cellars.
Things to do and see 1
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State-run house museum on the former Kellogg estate, displaying original antiques and fine art.
Parks, preserves and trails 6
Parks and open space © OpenStreetMap contributors. Places to eat and visit last checked October 2026. These are not paid placements; they are simply our selection. Hours and menus change, so check before you go.
Derby housing market
Over the last 12 months, 126 homes sold in Derby with a median sale price of $370,000 and a median of 22 days on market. There are 20 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $223 per square foot. The typical home sold for 100% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 8.8% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 1.9 months.
Derby's town-wide property tax rate is 38.44 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $10,000 a year. Special taxing districts, such as fire districts, can add to this, and a home's actual assessment may differ from its sale price.
Source: SmartMLS, residential sales (single-family, condo and multi-family); mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. Updated November 10, 2026.
Homes for sale in Derby
See all 20 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering Derby.
Questions about Derby
What is the median home price in Derby, CT?
The median sale price in Derby is $370,000, based on 126 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Derby, CT?
Derby's town-wide property tax rate is 38.44 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $10,000 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Derby, CT from Hartford?
Derby is about 43 miles and a 59-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Derby, CT from New York City?
Derby is about 71 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 104-minute drive without traffic.
Is there a train station in Derby, CT?
The closest passenger rail station we have on record is Derby-Shelton (Metro-North) about 0.4 miles from the center of Derby. Check the operator's schedule for current service.
What is the population of Derby, CT?
Derby has about 12,915 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 5.1 square miles.
How many public schools are in Derby, CT?
Derby has 5 public schools in Derby School District. Which school serves an address depends on the district's boundaries, so confirm with the district.
How many homes are for sale in Derby, CT?
There are 20 homes for sale in Derby right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
Is there a train station in Derby?
Yes. The Derby-Shelton station on the Metro-North Waterbury Branch is 0.4 miles away by straight line. Ansonia and Seymour stations are also nearby.
How far is Derby from New Haven?
New Haven is 18 minutes (9 miles) by car.
What rivers meet in Derby?
The Naugatuck River joins the Housatonic River in Derby. The Naugatuck divides the city into East Derby and Derby Center.
What parks are in Derby?
Osbornedale State Park, East Derby Green, O'Sullivan's Island Recreation Park, Derby Greenway, Witek Park and Coon Hollow Park.
Which towns border Derby?
Ansonia, Shelton, Seymour, Orange and Woodbridge.
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Towns that border Derby
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