Compare towns

Beacon Falls vs Durham vs Middlefield vs Naugatuck

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Durham has the highest household income ($159k).
Middlefield has the oldest population (median age 51.6).
Naugatuck has the most affordable homes ($259k median).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureBeacon FallsDurhamMiddlefieldNaugatuck
People
Population
6,147
7,208
4,243Lowest
31,800Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — — —
-1.1%
CT: +0.9%
Median age
48.4±3.8
18% above CT
45.5±2.8
11% above CT
51.6±1.9Highest
26% above CT
39.8±2.4Lowest
3% below CT
Middlefield and Beacon Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18%±4.8
CT: 20.2%
16.4%±3.6
CT: 20.2%
13.9%±4.1Lowest
CT: 20.2%
19.9%±2.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
Naugatuck and Beacon Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.5%±4.4
CT: 18.5%
17.4%±3.7
CT: 18.5%
25.5%±7.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
15.6%±2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Middlefield and Beacon Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
44.6%
CT: 42.5%
47.9%Highest
CT: 42.5%
41.5%
CT: 42.5%
32.2%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.3%±3.2
CT: 7.1%
3.6%±1.5Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.7%±2.4
CT: 7.1%
7.8%±1.7Highest
CT: 7.1%
Naugatuck and Middlefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$101,516±$42k
6% above CT
$158,857±$7kHighest
66% above CT
$99,837±$20k
4% above CT
$96,324±$9kLowest
about the CT average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$350,300±$34k
5% below CT
$424,800±$23kHighest
16% above CT
$376,000±$27k
about the CT average
$259,100±$13kLowest
29% below CT
Durham and Middlefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,921±$286
29% above CT
$1,154±$448Lowest
22% below CT
$3,501Highest
135% above CT
$1,369±$58
8% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,534
about the CT average
$7,998Highest
20% above CT
$6,853
3% above CT
$6,362Lowest
4% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
50.7%±30.4
CT: 52.6%
44.9%±28.4
CT: 52.6%
85.4%±52.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
42.2%±9.4Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Middlefield and Beacon Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.1%Lowest
CT: 10%
3.4%
CT: 10%
8.1%Highest
CT: 10%
6.3%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.5%
CT: 66.5%
93.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
86.5%
CT: 66.5%
67.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1985Highest
18 yrs newer than CT
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 min
23% above CT
23 minLowest
13% below CT
25 min
6% below CT
33 minHighest
26% above CT
Work from home
20.3%±7.4
CT: 16%
20.5%±6.4Highest
CT: 16%
10.9%±4.1Lowest
CT: 16%
15%±2.8
CT: 16%
Durham and Beacon Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #77 of 149 in CT #88 of 149 in CT #65 of 149 in CT #116 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 16 Regional School District 13 Regional School District 13 Naugatuck School District
High school in town Woodland Regional High School Coginchaug Regional High School None in town Naugatuck High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.2
8.9Lowest
—
15.2Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet None yet

CT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.