The poverty report that;s making the rounds cites Norwalk and Bridgeport as the only two cities that had a drop in median income. Median Income, means that half of Norwalk has an income under $64,893 and half have an income over it. IN 2005 the Norwalk median income was $65,741.

According to the ACS, Connecticut retained its position as the wealthiest state in the union, with a median family income of $78,154. New Jersey and Maryland were second and third. But in the measure of household income, which can include non-family members such as roommates sharing apartments, Connecticut ranked third, at $63,422. Fairfield County’s median income was $76,671; New Haven County’s was $56,840.

Danbury managed to jump from a median income of $55,881 to $68,794, which was the largest jump the US Census Bureau survey measured.

So why would Danbury have such a big increase while Norwalk decreased? Maybe it has to do with the lower cost of living, more affordable housing, and better operating school budget that works to keep taxes lower. Oh, and according to population estimates, Norwalk has 84,437 according to a 2006 US census estimate while Danbury has 78,736 according to a July 2005 estimate.

source: Study shows poverty drop; accuracy doubted, by ROB VARNON, August 28, 2007