Living in Watertown, CT
Watertown is a Litchfield County town northwest of Waterbury that includes the village of Oakville, with Black Rock State Park and Mattatuck State Forest within its borders.
Watertown at a glance
- Median sale price
- $385,000+4.1% vs last year 278 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 30.04 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$8,100 median-priced home
- Population
- 22,497 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 29.0 sq mi 775 per sq mi
What it is like in Watertown
Watertown is in Litchfield County and borders Waterbury, Thomaston, Bethlehem, Woodbury, Middlebury, Morris and Litchfield. It covers 29.01 square miles of land and had a population of 22,497 in the facts file used for this guide.
Colonization began in 1684, and the town was incorporated in 1780 after separating from Waterbury. The oldest house in town dates to 1735, and the poet John Trumbull was born there in 1750. Oakville is a village in the southeast part of town with its own post office and ZIP code, and Watertown provides its services.
Black Rock State Park and Mattatuck State Forest are in town, along with Echo Lake Park, Sylvan Lake Park, Veterans' Memorial Park and Al Deland Field. The Golf Course at Crestbrook Park is a public course open April through December. The Watertown History Museum is at 401 Main Street.
Echo Craft Kitchen and Uncommon Grill are both on Echo Lake Road. Hawk Ridge Winery on Plungis Road runs tastings and weekend live music.
Getting around from Watertown
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 48 min | 32 |
| New Haven | 45 min | 29 |
| Stamford | 80 min | 58 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 131 min | 94 |
| Boston | 171 min | 133 |
| Providence | 147 min | 107 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 72 min | 47 |
Rail stations nearby
- Waterbury 5.6 mi Metro-North
Highways and routes
Route 8 runs along the eastern edge of town, and Routes 6, 63, 73 and 262 also serve it. Waterbury is the nearest rail point, with a Metro-North station 5.6 miles away in a straight line. Northeast Transportation Company operates buses in town.
By car, New Haven is 29 miles and about 45 minutes, Hartford is 32 miles and about 48 minutes, and Stamford is 58 miles and about 80 minutes. Midtown Manhattan is 94 miles and about 131 minutes, and Bradley Airport is 47 miles and about 72 minutes.
Schools in Watertown
5 public schools in Watertown School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 3
- Fletcher W. Judson
- John Trumbull Primary
- Polk
Middle 1
- Swift
High school 1
- Watertown High School
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Watertown 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 Watertown
Open Watertown in Google Maps →Eat and drink 5
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American restaurant with hand-tossed pizza, a prohibition-style cocktail bar, takeout and catering.
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Winery with a tasting room offering wine flights, local beer on tap, light food and weekend live music.
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Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurant on Straits Turnpike with online ordering and reservations.
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Bar and restaurant on Main Street serving American food with takeout and online ordering.
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Bar and grill serving burgers, wings, pasta and entrees, with brunch on the first Sunday of the month.
Things to do and see 4
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Farm and farm market on Sand Bank Road with weekend store hours.
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Cheese shop and specialty food market on Main Street in Oakville.
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Seafood market selling hand-cut fish and shellfish, open Thursday to Monday.
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Local history museum covering manufacturing, military, farming and arts in Watertown and Oakville, open limited days.
Parks, preserves and trails 9
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.
Watertown housing market
Over the last 12 months, 278 homes sold in Watertown with a median sale price of $385,000 and a median of 12 days on market. There are 44 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $233 per square foot. The typical home sold for 100% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 4.1% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 1.9 months.
Watertown's town-wide property tax rate is 30.04 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $8,100 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 Watertown
See all 44 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering Watertown.
Questions about Watertown
What is the median home price in Watertown, CT?
The median sale price in Watertown is $385,000, based on 278 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Watertown, CT?
Watertown's town-wide property tax rate is 30.04 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $8,100 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Watertown, CT from Hartford?
Watertown is about 32 miles and a 48-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Watertown, CT from New York City?
Watertown is about 94 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 131-minute drive without traffic.
Is there a train station in Watertown, CT?
The closest passenger rail station we have on record is Waterbury (Metro-North) about 5.6 miles from the center of Watertown. Check the operator's schedule for current service.
What is the population of Watertown, CT?
Watertown has about 22,497 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 29.0 square miles.
How many public schools are in Watertown, CT?
Watertown has 5 public schools in Watertown 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 Watertown, CT?
There are 44 homes for sale in Watertown right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
Is there a train station in Watertown?
No. The nearest is the Waterbury Metro-North station, 5.6 miles away in a straight line.
Which highways serve Watertown?
Route 8 runs along the eastern edge of town, and Routes 6, 63, 73 and 262 also serve it.
What is Oakville?
Oakville is a village in the southeast part of Watertown with its own post office and ZIP code. It has no separate government.
How far is Watertown from Hartford and New Haven?
Hartford is 32 miles, about 48 minutes by car. New Haven is 29 miles, about 45 minutes.
Which state parks are in Watertown?
Black Rock State Park and Mattatuck State Forest are both in town.
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