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Aerial view of Norwalk, Connecticut

Living in Norwalk, Connecticut

Norwalk is a Long Island Sound city in Fairfield County, first settled in 1649 after Roger Ludlow purchased land east of the Norwalk River from Chief Mahackemo in 1640. The historic boroughs of South Norwalk and East Norwalk consolidated with the town into a single city in 1913. The Norwalk River runs through downtown to the harbor, and the offshore Norwalk Islands sit within the city's waters.

Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0

Norwalk at a glance

Norwalk's villages and zip codes

Norwalk uses several zip codes by neighborhood, roughly 06850-06855 and 06856-06860 for post office boxes.

Norwalk villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
South Norwalk (SoNo)06854The waterfront district around Washington Street and the South Norwalk train station, home to the Maritime Aquarium.
East Norwalk06855A neighborhood east of the Norwalk River, served in part by the Third Taxing District municipal electric utility.
Rowayton06853A village on the Five Mile River near Long Island Sound, with its own Metro-North station.
Silvermine06850A residential area in the northern part of the city near the Silvermine Arts Center.

Norwalk covers about 22.89 square miles and borders Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton and Westport. It was incorporated in 1651.

Things to do in Norwalk, CT

Start with The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk and Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, then 3 more below.

  1. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

    A waterfront aquarium in the SoNo district with Long Island Sound marine life exhibits, an IMAX theater and seasonal boat tours.

    Year-roundFamily

    10 N Water St, Norwalk, CT 06854

  2. Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

    An 1868 Second Empire-style mansion museum offering tours of period rooms and grounds.

    HistoricMuseum

    Norwalk, CT

  3. Calf Pasture Beach

    A city beach on Long Island Sound with a boardwalk, playground and lighted Little League fields.

    SeasonalBeach

    Calf Pasture Beach Rd, Norwalk, CT

  4. Sheffield Island Lighthouse

    A 19th-century lighthouse on one of the Norwalk Islands, reachable by seasonal ferry from downtown.

    SeasonalBoat access

    Norwalk Islands, Norwalk, CT

  5. Mill Hill Historic Park

    A small historic park with an 18th-century schoolhouse and other preserved buildings.

    HistoricFree

    Norwalk, CT

More worth a visit

  • Veterans ParkA waterfront park with a marina, walking paths and views of the harbor.
  • Silvermine Arts CenterA nonprofit arts center with galleries and classes spanning the Norwalk/New Canaan line.

A little history

Roger Ludlow purchased land east of the Norwalk River from Chief Mahackemo in 1640, with English settlement following around 1649.

Most of the town was burned during a Revolutionary War raid known as the Battle of Norwalk.

The 1853 Norwalk rail accident, in which a train failed to stop for an open drawbridge, is considered the first major train disaster in United States history.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Norwalk

Norwalk's outdoor life centers on Long Island Sound: beaches, a working harbor, and the offshore Norwalk Islands, alongside the Norwalk River running through downtown.

  • Calf Pasture BeachThe city's main Sound-front beach with a boardwalk and recreation fields.
  • Norwalk IslandsA chain of small islands off the coast, part of a National Wildlife Refuge, reachable by private boat or seasonal ferry.
  • Veterans ParkHarbor-front park with a marina and walking paths.
  • Norwalk River Valley TrailA multi-town rail-trail project with completed segments for walking and biking.

Walkability and getting around Norwalk

Downtown and SoNo are walkable, with restaurants, shops and the train station within a compact grid; Rowayton and East Norwalk also have small walkable centers. Much of the rest of the city is more suburban and car-dependent.

South Norwalk (SoNo)

125 East Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851

Check any Norwalk address

Drive times

  • Stamford, about 8 miles15-20 min
  • Westchester County Airport, about 20 miles30 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line serves four Norwalk stations: South Norwalk, East Norwalk, Rowayton and Merritt 7. The Norwalk Transit District (Wheels) operates local bus routes throughout the city.

Norwalk property taxes and home prices

Norwalk's real estate tax rate for 2026–27 depends on the taxing district: from 22.982 to 24.671 mills across 6 districts. Connecticut taxes a home at 70% of its appraised value, so every $100,000 of value costs about $1,727 a year in taxes at 24.671 mills.

What homes in Norwalk sell for

12 months endingSingle-familyCondo
Sep 2024$711,200511 sales$375,000298 sales
Sep 2025$760,000473 sales$387,000368 sales

October to September, state records. Text us for this month's sales.

Norwalk's mill rate for 2026–27

22.982–24.671mills, fiscal year 2026–27

Part of East Norwalk is served by the Third Taxing District, a separate municipal electric and administrative district within the city.

  • Norwalk 4th Sewered Main Area24.671 mills
  • Norwalk 1st Downtown24.628 mills
  • Norwalk 2nd South24.628 mills
  • Norwalk 3rd East24.628 mills
  • Norwalk 5th No Garbage Main Area24.274 mills
  • Norwalk 6th Rowayton22.982 mills
  • Birchwood Townhouses Special Services District (where it applies)+13.191 mills
  • Motor vehicles22.95 mills
  • Next revaluationOctober 1, 2028

Norwalk property tax calculator

$
Assessed value (70%)
–
Taxes a year
–
About this much a month
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Estimate only; the assessor's appraisal sets the bill.

Using our mortgage calculator or affordability calculator? Enter about 1.73% for property tax. That's 24.671 mills on a 70% assessment.

How Norwalk's mill rate has changed

Norwalk town mill rate by fiscal year
Fiscal yearTown-wide rate listed by the state
2022–23–
2023–24–
2024–2528.00
2025–2632.00
2026–2732.00

Norwalk's town rate went from 28.00 in 2024–25 to 32.00 in 2026–27. Next revaluation: October 1, 2028.

Look up a Norwalk property

Buying a home in Norwalk

What we check on a Norwalk purchase: CHFA limits, the flood map, municipal electric and coastal flood insurance.

CHFA

First-time buyer programs in Norwalk

CHFA sets Norwalk's income and price limits for Fairfield County. We check them with you before you shop.

See CHFA's limits map
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

Norwalk's Long Island Sound shoreline, harbor and the Norwalk River put South Norwalk, East Norwalk, Rowayton and other waterfront areas in FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer near the water. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Norwalk
Municipal electric

Third Taxing District service in East Norwalk

Part of East Norwalk is served by the Third Taxing District's municipal electric utility rather than Eversource. Confirm which utility serves a specific address before comparing costs.

Coastal flood insurance

Flood insurance near the shoreline

Waterfront and low-lying neighborhoods near Long Island Sound and the Norwalk River can require flood insurance. Check FEMA flood zone status early, especially in SoNo, East Norwalk and Rowayton.

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.

James Allen

Thinking about buying in Norwalk?

Send us a Norwalk address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Norwalk: utilities, trash and town offices

Who to call in Norwalk: Eversource for most of the city; the Third Taxing District provides municipal electric service to part of East Norwalk for power.

Town offices and contacts

Norwalk Town Hall is at 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851. Main line: 203-854-3200. Each link opens that office's page on the town's website.

Norwalk, CT FAQ: taxes, prices and town services

The short answers. Call or text us for the long ones.

What is the mill rate in Norwalk, CT?

Norwalk's real estate tax rate for 2026–27 depends on the taxing district: from 22.982 to 24.671 mills across 6 districts. The motor vehicle rate is 22.95 mills.

What is the median home price in Norwalk, CT?

In the 12 months from October 2024 through September 2025, the median single-family sale in Norwalk was $760,000 across 473 sales, compared with $711,200 the year before. The median condo sale was $387,000 across 368 sales.

When is Norwalk's next revaluation?

Norwalk's next revaluation takes effect October 1, 2028, on the state's schedule. The new assessments first show up on the tax bills due in July 2029.

What county is Norwalk, CT in?

Norwalk is in Fairfield County, part of the Western Connecticut Planning Region.

Is there a train station in Norwalk?

Yes. Metro-North's New Haven Line serves four stations in the city: South Norwalk, East Norwalk, Rowayton and Merritt 7.

Does Norwalk have curbside trash pickup?

Yes, the city provides scheduled curbside trash and recycling collection, along with a separate yard waste drop-off site.

Who provides electricity in Norwalk?

Eversource serves most of the city; the Third Taxing District provides municipal electric service to part of East Norwalk.

How far is Norwalk from New York City?

Norwalk is roughly 40-50 miles southwest of New York City.

How do I reach Norwalk's city hall?

City Hall is at 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851, phone 203-854-3200.

Towns near Norwalk

Neighbors of Norwalk in Fairfield County and nearby. All Fairfield County towns.

Sources