Downtown Derby
1 Elizabeth St, Derby, CT 06418
Living in Derby, Connecticut
Derby is a small city in New Haven County at the confluence of the Housatonic and Naugatuck rivers, about 8 miles west-northwest of New Haven. Settled in 1642 as the trading post Paugasset and renamed Derby in 1675, it became a city in 1893 and was home to New England's first electric trolley system.
Derby at a glance
- $360,000Median single-family sale, Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
- 38.44 millsReal estate tax rate, fiscal year 2026–27
- 15–20 minDrive to New Haven
- New HavenCounty · Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Derby's zip code
Derby is served by the 06418 zip code.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Derby | 06418 | The city center around Elizabeth Street and Main Street, including City Hall and the Birmingham Green Historic District. |
Derby covers about 5.41 square miles and borders Ansonia, Shelton, Orange, Seymour and Woodbridge. It was incorporated in 1775.
Things to do in Derby, CT
Start with Derby Greenway and Osbornedale State Park, then 2 more below.
Derby Greenway
A paved riverfront trail along the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers, used for walking, biking and fishing. It connects to the wider Naugatuck River Greenway system.
Derby, CT
Osbornedale State Park
A state park with picnic areas, a pond and hiking trails, including the Osborne Homestead Museum and the Kellogg Environmental Center on the grounds.
500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, CT 06418
Sterling Opera House
A National Register landmark theater in downtown Derby that once hosted performers including Harry Houdini and Amelia Earhart; it now also houses the Derby Historical Society & Museum.
10 Elizabeth St, Derby, CT 06418
Osborne Homestead Museum
A historic house museum within Osbornedale State Park on the former estate of industrialist Frances Osborne Kellogg.
500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, CT 06418
A little history
Derby was settled in 1642 as the trading post Paugasset and renamed Derby, after Derby, England, in 1675; it was incorporated as a town in 1775 and became a city in 1893.
Derby was home to New England's first electric trolley system, the second in the United States, and its industrial history included corset manufacturing, iron foundries and silver production.
The Naugatuck River crested at a record 25.70 feet above flood stage during the devastating flood of 1955, which struck Derby hard at the rivers' confluence.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Derby
Derby's outdoor space centers on its two rivers, with a paved greenway trail on one bank and a state park with trails and a pond a short drive away.
- Derby GreenwayA paved trail along the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers for walking, biking and fishing.
- Osbornedale State ParkPicnic areas, a pond and hiking trails, including the Kellogg Environmental Center's grounds.
Where to eat in Derby: restaurants and coffee
2 places in Derby to try, including pizza restaurant and bakery, deli and pizza restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
Bartone's Apizza
Pizza restaurant
A pizza restaurant on Main Street in Derby.
143 Main St, Derby, CT 06418 · bartonesapizza.com
Yolanda's Bakery Deli & Pizza
Bakery, deli and pizza restaurant
A combined bakery, deli and pizza restaurant in Derby.
17 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, CT 06418
Walkability and getting around Derby
Downtown Derby around Elizabeth and Main streets is walkable, with City Hall, the Sterling Opera House and a few restaurants close together, plus riverfront walking on the Derby Greenway. Outside downtown, most trips require a car.
Drive times
- New Haven, about 8 miles15–20 min
- Tweed New Haven Airport, about 13 miles20–25 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Valley Transit District (Valley bus service) serves Derby locally; the Derby-Shelton Metro-North station on the Waterbury Branch is just across the Housatonic River in Shelton.
Derby property taxes and home prices
Derby's 2026–27 mill rate is 38.44, which is $38.44 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Connecticut taxes a home at 70% of its appraised value, so every $100,000 of value costs about $2,691 a year in taxes at 38.44 mills.
What homes in Derby sell for
| 12 months ending | Single-family | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | $372,50066 sales | $270,00050 sales |
| Sep 2025 | $360,00063 sales | $287,50044 sales |
October to September, state records. Text us for this month's sales.
Derby's mill rate for 2026–27
38.44mills, fiscal year 2026–27
- Town of Derby38.44 mills
- Motor vehicles32.46 mills
- Next revaluationOctober 1, 2030
How Derby's mill rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Town rate |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 38.60 |
| 2023–24 | 38.60 |
| 2024–25 | 43.20 |
| 2025–26 | 43.20 |
| 2026–27 | 38.44 |
Derby's town rate went from 38.60 in 2022–23 to 38.44 in 2026–27. Next revaluation: October 1, 2030.
Look up a Derby property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkLand records, deeds and vital records
- Assessor's officeQuestions about an assessment
Buying a home in Derby
What we check on a Derby purchase: CHFA limits, the flood map and river confluence city.
First-time buyer programs in Derby
CHFA sets Derby's income and price limits for New Haven County. We check them with you before you shop.
See CHFA's limits mapCheck the flood zone first
Derby sits at the confluence of the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers and has a history of major flooding, including the record 1955 flood; low-lying areas near both rivers fall within FEMA flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for DerbyCheck flood zone status near both rivers
Because Derby sits where the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers meet and has a documented flood history, we check the FEMA flood map for any specific address near the riverfront before you make an offer.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. CHFA and USDA limits and eligibility are set by those agencies and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Derby?
Send us a Derby address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Derby: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Derby: United Illuminating for power.
- ElectricUnited Illuminating
- Trash and recyclingThe City of Derby provides municipal trash and recycling collection; check the city's public works page for current schedules.
Town offices and contacts
Derby Town Hall is at 1 Elizabeth St, Derby, CT 06418. Hours: Monday–Wednesday 8:30am–5:00pm, Thursday 8:30am–6:00pm, Friday 8:30am–12:30pm. Main line: 203-736-1450. Each link opens that office's page on the town's website.
- Town HallMain line and town website203-736-1450
- Town/City ClerkVital records, land records, licenses and permits
- AssessorProperty values and assessments
- Tax CollectorTax billing and collection
- Building DepartmentPermits and inspections
- Planning & ZoningLand use and development review
- Parks & FacilitiesParks and recreation facilities
- Derby Neck Library / Derby Public LibraryPublic library serving Derby
- Derby Public SchoolsSchool district website
Derby, CT FAQ: taxes, prices and town services
The short answers. Call or text us for the long ones.
What is the mill rate in Derby, CT?
Derby's 2026–27 mill rate is 38.44, which is $38.44 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. The motor vehicle rate is 32.46 mills.
How much are property taxes on a $500,000 home in Derby?
Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of appraised value, so a $500,000 home would be assessed at about $350,000. At 38.44 mills that's about $13,454 a year, or about $1,121 a month. The actual bill depends on the town assessor's appraisal, not the price you pay.
What is the median home price in Derby, CT?
In the 12 months from October 2024 through September 2025, the median single-family sale in Derby was $360,000 across 63 sales, compared with $372,500 the year before. The median condo sale was $287,500 across 44 sales.
When is Derby's next revaluation?
Derby's next revaluation takes effect October 1, 2030, on the state's schedule. The new assessments first show up on the tax bills due in July 2031.
What county is Derby, CT in?
Derby is in New Haven County, within the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region.
What is Derby's zip code?
Derby's zip code is 06418.
How far is Derby from New Haven?
Derby is about 8 miles west-northwest of New Haven.
Is there train service near Derby?
The Derby-Shelton station on the Metro-North Waterbury Branch is just across the Housatonic River in Shelton.
Does Derby flood?
Derby sits at the confluence of the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers and has a history of major floods, including a record 1955 flood; some low-lying areas are in FEMA flood zones.
Towns near Derby
Neighbors of Derby in New Haven County and nearby. All New Haven County towns.
Sources
- Mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, "Mill Rates for FY 2014–2027," data.ct.gov. Revaluation year: OPM, Revaluation Schedule 2023–2037.
- Home sales: "Real Estate Sales 2001–2024 GL," data.ct.gov. Medians use Derby sales recorded October 1 to September 30, leaving out sales the town flagged as non-market.
- Derby, Connecticut - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- City of Derby official website: derbyct.gov
- Osbornedale State Park - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Sterling Opera House - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Bartone's Apizza: bartonesapizza.com
- Walkability: Walk Score®, Bike Score® and Transit Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Morrowlong, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.