Living in West Haven, CT
West Haven is a shoreline city in New Haven County on Long Island Sound, with 3.5 miles of public beaches, the Savin Rock waterfront, the University of New Haven and a Metro-North station.
West Haven at a glance
- Median sale price
- $399,950+11.1% vs last year 466 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 25.58 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$7,200 median-priced home
- Population
- 55,379 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 10.8 sq mi 5,152 per sq mi
What it is like in West Haven
West Haven is in New Haven County on the Long Island Sound coast, between New Haven and Orange and Milford. It covers 10.75 square miles of land and has a population of 55,379. The Oyster River, the West River and New Haven Harbor form parts of its boundary, and the Cove River runs through it.
West Haven separated from Orange and became a town in 1921, and was incorporated as a city in 1961. Savin Rock became a seaside vacation spot by the 1870s and grew into an amusement park that operated until the 1960s. In 2007 a conservation easement set aside most of the former amusement area as open space.
The University of New Haven is in the hilly Allingtown district. Campbell Avenue is the city's main commercial street.
The city has about 3.5 miles of publicly accessible beaches. Oak Street Beach and Savin Rock Park are on the waterfront, Sandy Point is a beach and bird sanctuary at the eastern end, and Bradley Point Park is a 20-acre park that opened in 1984. The city also has Painter Park, Morse Park, Bayview Park, Ralph Eberle Park and the West Haven Green. A Savin Rock Festival is held in summer.
Savin Rock has restaurants along Captain Thomas Boulevard, including The Breakwall. Zuppardi's Apizza on Union Avenue has served New Haven-style pizza since 1934, and Stowe's Seafood on Beach Street sells fried seafood across from the beach. The West Haven Veterans Museum and Learning Center on Hood Terrace has free exhibits on military history.
Getting around from West Haven
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 57 min | 41 |
| New Haven | 9 min | 4 |
| Stamford | 54 min | 37 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 108 min | 73 |
| Boston | 176 min | 141 |
| Providence | 132 min | 107 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 79 min | 57 |
Rail stations nearby
- West Haven 0.2 mi Metro-North, CTrail Hartford Line
- New Haven Union Station 2.8 mi Amtrak
- State Street 3.3 mi Amtrak
Highways and routes
Interstate 95, Route 34 (Derby Avenue) and US Route 1 (Boston Post Road) run through West Haven. Route 162 and Route 122 also cross the city. New Haven is 9 minutes away (4 miles), Hartford 57 minutes (41 miles), Stamford 54 minutes (37 miles) and New York City Midtown 108 minutes (73 miles). Bradley Airport is 79 minutes away.
West Haven station, 0.2 miles away, has Metro-North and CTrail Hartford Line service. The station opened in 2013 with Metro-North service to New York City. Amtrak stops at New Haven Union Station (2.8 miles) and State Street station (3.3 miles).
Schools in West Haven
10 public schools in West Haven School District and New Haven School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 6
- Alma E. Pagels
- Edith E. Mackrille
- Forest
- Savin Rock Community
- Seth G. Haley
- Washington
Middle 2
- Carrigan 5/6 Intermediate
- Harry M. Bailey
High school 2
- Engineering - Science University Magnet School
- West Haven High School
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up West Haven School District and New Haven 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 West Haven
Open West Haven in Google Maps →Eat and drink 13
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Italian-American restaurant serving dinner with takeout, banquet rooms and trays to go.
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Italian restaurant with a menu of pasta, seafood, chicken, veal and steak, plus takeout trays and banquet space.
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Bar and restaurant near the shore with a weekly music trivia night.
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Irish pub and restaurant on Campbell Avenue, open since 1983, with Sunday brunch.
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Bakery opened in October 2025 making breads, cakes, cannoli, cookies, doughnuts, flan, pastries and rolls.
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Italian restaurant with a bar, draft beer, a patio wood-fire pizza oven and catering.
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Pizza, calzones, grinders, pasta and dinners such as chicken parmigiana.
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Raw bar and grill on Campbell Avenue serving oysters and seafood.
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Turkish restaurant serving kebabs, lamb chops, lentil soup and lahmacun.
Show 4 more
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Takeout seafood shop across from the beach serving fried clams, scallops, crab cakes and lobster tails.
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Savin Rock restaurant serving burgers, seafood and wings, with an outdoor patio and weekly trivia and open mic nights.
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Pizzeria serving apizza, hot subs, wings, salads and Italian dinners, with catering.
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New Haven-style apizza restaurant open since 1934, known for its fresh clam pie.
Things to do and see 1
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Free museum with exhibits on military branches, conflicts and equipment.
Parks, preserves and trails 21
Show 7 more parks and conservation parcels
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.
West Haven housing market
Over the last 12 months, 466 homes sold in West Haven with a median sale price of $399,950 and a median of 16 days on market. There are 110 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $240 per square foot. The typical home sold for 101% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 11.1% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 2.8 months.
West Haven's town-wide property tax rate is 25.58 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $7,200 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 West Haven
See all 110 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering West Haven.
Questions about West Haven
What is the median home price in West Haven, CT?
The median sale price in West Haven is $399,950, based on 466 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in West Haven, CT?
West Haven's town-wide property tax rate is 25.58 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $7,200 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is West Haven, CT from Hartford?
West Haven is about 41 miles and a 57-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is West Haven, CT from New York City?
West Haven is about 73 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 108-minute drive without traffic.
Is there a train station in West Haven, CT?
The closest passenger rail station we have on record is West Haven (Metro-North, CTrail Hartford Line) about 0.2 miles from the center of West Haven. Check the operator's schedule for current service.
What is the population of West Haven, CT?
West Haven has about 55,379 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 10.8 square miles.
How many public schools are in West Haven, CT?
West Haven has 10 public schools in West Haven School District and New Haven 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 West Haven, CT?
There are 110 homes for sale in West Haven right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
Which train service does West Haven have?
West Haven station has Metro-North and CTrail Hartford Line service. Amtrak stops at New Haven Union Station and State Street station.
How far is West Haven from New Haven?
New Haven is 4 miles and about 9 minutes by car.
Does West Haven have beaches?
Yes. The city has 3.5 miles of publicly accessible beaches, including Oak Street Beach, Savin Rock and Sandy Point.
What is Savin Rock?
Savin Rock is West Haven's shoreline area, a vacation destination from the 1870s and the site of an amusement park until the 1960s. It is now a waterfront park and restaurant area.
Which towns border West Haven?
Orange, New Haven and Milford.
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