Waterford center
15 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford, CT 06385
Living in Waterford, Connecticut
Waterford is a shoreline town on Long Island Sound in New London County, bordered on the west by the Niantic River and separated from New London in 1801 after local farmers petitioned for independence. The town's granite quarries supplied stone for projects including Fort Sumter and the Statue of Liberty in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today it includes the Quaker Hill section and several Sound-facing beaches.
Waterford at a glance
- $412,500Median single-family sale, Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
- 24.54 millsReal estate tax rate, fiscal year 2026–27
- 10–15 minDrive to New London
- New LondonCounty · Southeastern Connecticut / Connecticut shoreline
Waterford's villages and zip codes
Waterford center uses 06385; the Quaker Hill section uses 06375.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Waterford center | 06385 | The town center along Rope Ferry Road, home to town hall and the public library. |
| Quaker Hill | 06375 | A residential section in the northern part of Waterford, partly overlapping the Connecticut College Arboretum. |
Waterford covers about 32.8 square miles and borders New London and East Lyme. It was incorporated in 1801.
Things to do in Waterford, CT
Start with Harkness Memorial State Park and Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, then 2 more below.
Harkness Memorial State Park
A former shoreline estate on Long Island Sound with formal gardens, a mansion, and lawns overlooking the water.
275 Great Neck Road, Waterford
Plan a visitEugene O'Neill Theater Center
A theater campus that develops new plays and musicals, known for its National Playwrights Conference.
305 Great Neck Road, Waterford
Connecticut College Arboretum
A 750-acre arboretum and botanical garden that lies partly within Waterford's Quaker Hill section, with walking trails.
Quaker Hill, Waterford
Waterford Speedbowl
An asphalt short track that has hosted stock car racing since it opened in 1951.
1080 Hunts Brook Road, Waterford
More worth a visit
- Waterford Beach ParkA town beach on Long Island Sound.
A little history
Waterford separated from New London and incorporated as its own town on October 8, 1801, after local farmers petitioned for independence.
From the late 1800s through the 1930s, Waterford's granite quarries supplied stone used in projects including Fort Sumter and the Statue of Liberty.
The Seaside Sanatorium, a 36-acre shoreline property designed by architect Cass Gilbert, opened in Waterford in 1934.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Waterford
Waterford's Long Island Sound shoreline and the Niantic River give it beach access, boating, and coastal parkland.
- Harkness Memorial State ParkFormal gardens, a historic mansion, and Sound-front lawns and shoreline.More information
- Waterford Beach ParkA town beach on Long Island Sound.
- Niantic RiverForms Waterford's western border with East Lyme, used for boating.
- Connecticut College ArboretumWalking trails through 750 acres of woods and gardens, partly in Waterford.
Walkability and getting around Waterford
Waterford's neighborhoods and shoreline areas are spread out along the coast and inland roads; some sections near the beaches and Quaker Hill have sidewalks, but a car is needed for most errands.
Quaker Hill
Drive times
- New London, about 4 miles10–15 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Southeast Area Transit District (SEAT) buses serve Waterford; the nearest Amtrak and Shore Line East rail service is at New London's Union Station.
Waterford property taxes and home prices
Waterford's 2026–27 mill rate is 24.54, which is $24.54 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Some areas also pay a fire or special district tax on top of that. Connecticut taxes a home at 70% of its appraised value, so every $100,000 of value costs about $1,718 a year in taxes at 24.54 mills.
What homes in Waterford sell for
| 12 months ending | Single-family | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | $372,000219 sales | $240,00033 sales |
| Sep 2025 | $412,500202 sales | $329,95040 sales |
October to September, state records. Text us for this month's sales.
Waterford's mill rate for 2026–27
24.54mills, fiscal year 2026–27
- Town of Waterford24.54 mills
- Mago Point Beach Association (where it applies)+24.54 mills
- Motor vehicles24.54 mills
- Next revaluationOctober 1, 2026
How Waterford's mill rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Town rate |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 27.56 |
| 2023–24 | 21.20 |
| 2024–25 | 22.30 |
| 2025–26 | 22.36 |
| 2026–27 | 24.54 |
Waterford's town rate went from 27.56 in 2022–23 to 24.54 in 2026–27. Next revaluation: October 1, 2026.
Look up a Waterford property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkLand records, deeds and vital records
- Assessor's officeQuestions about an assessment: 860-442-0553
Buying a home in Waterford
What we check on a Waterford purchase: CHFA limits, the flood map and coastal flood insurance.
First-time buyer programs in Waterford
CHFA sets Waterford's income and price limits for New London County. We check them with you before you shop.
See CHFA's limits mapCheck the flood zone first
Waterford's Long Island Sound shoreline and the Niantic River along its western border put coastal and riverfront land in FEMA flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for WaterfordShoreline property may need flood insurance
Homes near Long Island Sound or the Niantic River can fall inside FEMA flood zones, which affects insurance cost and availability. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a shoreline property.
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 Waterford?
Send us a Waterford address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Waterford: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Waterford: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Trash and recyclingThe town provides trash and recycling collection; check the town's published schedule for your street.
Town offices and contacts
Waterford Town Hall is at 15 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford, CT 06385. Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–4pm. Main line: 860-442-0553. Each link opens that office's page on the town's website.
- Town HallMain line and town website860-442-0553
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.860-442-0553
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.860-442-0553
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payments.860-442-0553
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.
- Planning and ZoningLand use applications and zoning regulations.
- Parks and RecreationTown parks, beaches and recreation programs.
- Public WorksRoads, plowing and town infrastructure.
- Waterford Public LibraryThe town's public library.860-444-5805
- Waterford Public SchoolsThe town's school district.
Waterford, CT FAQ: taxes, prices and town services
The short answers. Call or text us for the long ones.
What is the mill rate in Waterford, CT?
Waterford's 2026–27 mill rate is 24.54, which is $24.54 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Some areas also pay a fire or special district tax on top of that. The motor vehicle rate is 24.54 mills.
How much are property taxes on a $500,000 home in Waterford?
Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of appraised value, so a $500,000 home would be assessed at about $350,000. At 24.54 mills that's about $8,589 a year, or about $716 a month, before any district tax. The actual bill depends on the town assessor's appraisal, not the price you pay.
What is the median home price in Waterford, CT?
In the 12 months from October 2024 through September 2025, the median single-family sale in Waterford was $412,500 across 202 sales, compared with $372,000 the year before. The median condo sale was $329,950 across 40 sales.
When is Waterford's next revaluation?
Waterford's next revaluation takes effect October 1, 2026, on the state's schedule. The new assessments first show up on the tax bills due in July 2027.
What county is Waterford in?
Waterford is in New London County.
What ZIP codes cover Waterford?
06385 for most of Waterford and 06375 for the Quaker Hill section.
How far is Waterford from New London?
About 4 miles, roughly a 10–15 minute drive; Waterford separated from New London in 1801.
Is there train service near Waterford?
The nearest Amtrak and Shore Line East station is New London's Union Station; SEAT buses serve Waterford locally.
What library serves Waterford?
Waterford Public Library, at 49 Rope Ferry Road.
Does Waterford have beaches?
Yes, including Waterford Beach Park and the shoreline at Harkness Memorial State Park.
Towns near Waterford
Neighbors of Waterford in New London County and nearby. All New London 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 Waterford sales recorded October 1 to September 30, leaving out sales the town flagged as non-market.
- Wikipedia: Waterford, Connecticut: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Waterford official website: waterfordct.gov
- Waterford Public Library: waterfordct.gov
- Harkness Memorial State Park, CT DEEP: portal.ct.gov
- Walkability: Walk Score®, Bike Score® and Transit Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Checked September 25, 2026.