West Haven ZIP Codes — New Haven County, CT

There is one unique ZIP code in West Haven, Connecticut and it is 06516. Area code: 203.

ZIP codes

10.75

sq mi land

1.25

sq mi water

203

area code

West Haven, CT ZIP code map

About West Haven, CT

West Haven, Connecticut is a vibrant coastal city located in New Haven County. With its rich history and diverse community, it serves as both a residential and recreational hub. The city is notable for its striking waterfront, picturesque parks, and thriving local businesses.

Location & geography

West Haven is situated along the southern coast of Connecticut, bordered by New Haven to the north and Orange to the east. The city spans a total area of 10.75 square miles of land, complemented by 1.25 square miles of water, providing ample opportunities for waterfront activities. In addition to its proximity to the Long Island Sound, nearby cities include New Haven approximately 3 miles to the north, Orange around 5 miles to the east, Milford about 6 miles to the southwest, and Westbrook located roughly 10 miles to the southeast.

Community & economy

The character of West Haven is defined by its strong sense of community and a blend of urban and suburban living. Key industries in the area include healthcare, retail, and education, contributing to a stable local economy. Daily life in West Haven is vibrant, with numerous cultural events, recreational activities, and community gatherings enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

Transportation

West Haven is conveniently accessible via major highways, including Interstate 95, which runs along the city’s western edge, providing easy access to nearby regions. The nearest named airport is Tweed New Haven Airport, located approximately 8 miles to the northeast, accommodating both commercial and private flights. Public transit options include local buses operated by the Greater New Haven Transit District.

History

West Haven was originally settled in the 1640s and was incorporated as a separate town in 1965. Historically, the city has been known for its shipbuilding and manufacturing industries, which played a crucial role in its growth. Notable events in the city include the establishment of the West Haven Veteran's Hospital in the 1950s, highlighting its commitment to serving those who have served the nation.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about West Haven is that it features one of the longest and most accessible beaches in Connecticut, known as West Haven Beach. Additionally, the city hosts the annual West Haven Black Friday Festival, attracting residents and visitors alike for shopping and holiday festivities.

ZIP codes for West Haven, CT (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
06516	West Haven	New Haven	View map

Demographics & statistics

55,336

Population

36.1

Median age

$72,827

Median household income

$34,740

Per capita income

$247,800

Median home value

$1,322

Median monthly rent

52.1%

Home ownership

11.3%

Poverty rate

7.9%

Unemployment

12,112

Housing units

26.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,300

Under 5

1,350

1,399

5–9

1,453

1,885

10–14

1,957

2,348

15–19

2,439

2,606

20–24

2,707

3,732

25–34

3,875

3,164

35–44

3,285

3,283

45–54

3,410

1,755

55–59

1,823

1,715

60–64

1,780

2,517

65–74

2,614

1,047

75–84

1,087

395

85+

410

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	11,104	20.1%
18 and over	44,232	79.9%
65 and over	8,070	14.6%
Median age	36.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 48%

Black or African American 15.1%

Hispanic or Latino 15%

Other race 9.3%

Two or more races 8.7%

Asian 3.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	31,247	48%
Black or African American	9,822	15.1%
Hispanic or Latino	9,748	15%
Other race	6,067	9.3%
Two or more races	5,656	8.7%
Asian	2,065	3.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	261	0.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	218	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 4.4%

$10k–$15k 4.2%

$15k–$25k 7.1%

$25k–$35k 7.7%

$35k–$50k 10.5%

$50k–$75k 17.9%

$75k–$100k 14.0%

$100k–$150k 16.8%

$150k–$200k 9.5%

$200k+ 7.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.4%
$10k–$15k	4.2%
$15k–$25k	7.1%
$25k–$35k	7.7%
$35k–$50k	10.5%
$50k–$75k	17.9%
$75k–$100k	14.0%
$100k–$150k	16.8%
$150k–$200k	9.5%
$200k+	7.8%
Median income	$72,827

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.2%

$50k–$100k 2.8%

$100k–$150k 7.7%

$150k–$200k 14.8%

$200k–$300k 43.6%

$300k–$500k 24.6%

$500k–$1M 3.1%

$1M+ 0.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$247,800
Median rent / month	$1,322
Owner occupied	52.1%
Renter occupied	47.9%
Vacant	6.8%
Single-family detached	46.0%
Large apartment buildings	17.9%
Mobile homes	0.4%
Median rooms	4.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.74

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.4%
2000–2009	3.3%
1990–1999	5.5%
1980–1989	10.4%
1970–1979	16.5%
1960–1969	12.0%
1950–1959	18.2%
1940–1949	8.2%
1939 or earlier	23.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.8%
1 bedroom	19.8%
2 bedrooms	36.6%
3 bedrooms	29.4%
4 bedrooms	10.1%
5+ bedrooms	1.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	10.5%
1 vehicle	39.6%
2 vehicles	34.2%
3 or more	15.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	51.1%
Electricity	19.5%
Propane / LP gas	2.7%
Fuel oil	24.3%
Wood	0.1%
Solar	0.3%
No fuel used	1.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	8,637	42.3%
Cohabiting couple	1,326	6.5%
Male householder, no spouse	4,253	20.8%
Female householder, no spouse	6,189	30.3%
Households with children under 18	6,202	30.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	5,972	29.3%
Average household size	2.53

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	46.2%	42.7%
Married	41.8%	37.6%
Separated	1.6%	1.8%
Widowed	2.8%	6.2%
Divorced	7.6%	11.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.3%

Some HS, no diploma 6.3%

HS graduate 34.4%

Some college, no degree 19.1%

Associate's degree 7.2%

Bachelor's degree 15.5%

Graduate / professional 11.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	87.4%
Bachelor's or higher	26.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	667	4.0%
Kindergarten	816	4.9%
Elementary school	5,263	31.3%
High school	2,415	14.4%
College / grad school	7,639	45.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 30.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 13.6%

Retail trade 11.0%

Manufacturing 8.1%

Professional & management 8.0%

Transportation & utilities 6.7%

Construction 6.0%

Other services 5.3%

Finance & real estate 4.5%

Public administration 2.3%

Wholesale trade 2.2%

Information 1.4%

Agriculture & mining 0.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.1%
Service	26.4%
Sales & office	19.8%
Natural resources & construction	9.3%
Production & transportation	12.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	84.9%
Government	11.0%
Self-employed	4.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	71.9%
Carpool	13.4%
Public transit	2.8%
Walk	3.7%
Other means	1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.2

Poverty

All people 11.3%

Under 18 years 11.0%

18 and over 11.3%

Married-couple families 5.2%

Female-led households 10.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	30.4%
Retirement income	21.7%
Supplemental Security	5.7%
Cash public assistance	5.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	17.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.1%
High cholesterol	30.5%
Heart disease	5.6%
Stroke	2.8%
Asthma	11.4%
Arthritis	22.6%
Kidney disease	2.6%
Pulmonary disease	6.2%
Cancer	5.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.3%
No physical activity	23.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.5%
Fair or poor health	13.3%
Poor mental health	15.5%
Poor physical health	9.7%
No health insurance	11.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.8%
Visited dentist	67.0%
Cholesterol screening	89.4%
Teeth loss	12.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	2,278	5.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.6%
Under 18	5.2%
18–64 years	10.2%
65 and over	26.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	58.1%
Public insurance	43.3%
Uninsured under 19	7.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	52,686	95.2%
Spanish	6,250	11.9%
Other Indo-European	3,559	6.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	911	1.7%
Other languages	738	1.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	44,765	80.9%
Born in same state	42,781	77.3%
Born in different state	31,579	57.1%
Foreign born	1,984	3.6%
Naturalized citizen	10,571	19.1%
Not a US citizen	5,239	49.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	7,718	13.9%
French	2,494	4.5%
Arab	1,616	2.9%
German	338	0.6%
Irish	286	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	242	0.4%
English	140	0.3%
Polish	75	0.1%
Dutch	73	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	36.9%
Internet access	93.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does West Haven, CT have?

West Haven, CT has one ZIP code: 06516. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.