Waterbury is located in southern Connecticut, between Hartford (to the north) and New Haven (to the south). The city center lies just west of the Quinebaug River. It was formerly known as "The Brass City" due to its history with brass making; but today it is mainly a commuter town for people who work in nearby cities such as Torrington, Southington, Thomaston, Winchester, or Putnam.
Waterbury's elevation ranges from about 200 feet at the river to over 500 feet on Prospect Hill near Ives Street. There are two small lakes within city limits that contribute most of the water supply. The city's terrain is mostly flat, except for a few hills in the northwest and southeast sections. Geographically, Waterbury is part of Connecticut's "Northern Highlands," which also includes Thomaston, Terryville, Plymouth, and Harwinton.
Climate
The climate in Waterbury is a humid continental climate that is characterized by four distinct seasons.
Spring: The warmest season in Waterbury, temperatures range from an average high of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius) in May to an average low of 46 degrees Fahrenheit (24.0 Celsius). The spring months are also the wettest time here, with about two inches more rain than any other month of the year; this is mostly due to thunderstorms that happen during the late afternoon and evening hours as well as earlier in the day.
Summer: Temperatures will be between 78-86 degrees Fahrenheit throughout most days of summertime but can sometimes reach over 90 degrees F if there's a heatwave or drought going through Connecticut at the time. There's plenty of rainfall during these months too, around 50% more precipitation than in the springtime.
Fall: Temperatures in fall are a little cooler than summer but still reach into the 70s for most of October and November, with some days dipping to near 60 degrees F.
Winter: Waterbury winters can get quite cold during January-March when they average from -14 Fahrenheit (26 Celsius) to about 13F (-11C), though temperatures will often fluctuate by at least 20 degrees per day because it's so very humid outside due to all that snow on the ground. The winter months are also pretty wet, with nearly two inches more rainfall than any other time of year on average.
Population and Demographics
There are approximately 40,000 people living in the city. The population density ranges from about 500 residents per square mile near Ives Street to nearly 800 at North Main Street. A significant part of the area's economy is generated by small manufacturing companies; with many businesses situated along Geer Road and on Waterbury Center Drive.
There are currently 35 industrial parks within the town that employ over 12,000 workers who earn a combined $800 million annually while employing more than 11% percent of all Connecticut residents working outside their homes each year. In addition, there are four malls located within town limits, which include the Eastern Hills Mall in Watertown, and three smaller malls on Geer Road.
Waterbury is home to a diverse population with many ethnicities. For example, as of July 2014, there were more than 130 different languages spoken by residents in schools and neighborhoods around town.