Compare towns

Bethlehem vs Colebrook vs Killingly vs Watertown

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bethlehem has the most people working from home (13.9%).
Colebrook has the most homeowners (91.6%).
Killingly has the youngest population (median age 39.5).
Watertown has the shortest commute (24 min average).

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.

MeasureBethlehemColebrookKillinglyWatertown
People
Population
3,423
1,494Lowest
17,867
22,253Highest
Median age
51.5±8.5
25% above CT
52.1±5Highest
27% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
46.3±2.9
13% above CT
Colebrook and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.3%±4Lowest
CT: 20.2%
17.9%±3.9
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
17.7%±2.6
CT: 20.2%
Killingly and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.5%±5.3
CT: 18.5%
26%±4.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
23.3%±2.8
CT: 18.5%
Colebrook and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
39.2%Highest
CT: 42.5%
36.6%
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
38.6%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.5%±3.1
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.2%±1.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$108,929±$16k
14% above CT
$111,250±$17kHighest
16% above CT
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$101,691±$7k
6% above CT
Colebrook and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$410,900±$36kHighest
12% above CT
$342,800±$19k
7% below CT
$288,600±$15kLowest
21% below CT
$333,500±$16k
9% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,127±$124
24% below CT
$1,333±$626Highest
10% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,275±$227
14% below CT
Colebrook and Watertown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,932
11% below CT
$6,211Highest
7% below CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$6,014
9% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
69.7%±38.5Highest
CT: 52.6%
42.1%±55Lowest
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
56.6%±13.3
CT: 52.6%
Bethlehem and Watertown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.4%
CT: 10%
8.3%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
4.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
70.2%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
91.6%Highest
CT: 66.5%
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
83.9%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1960Lowest
7 yrs older than CT
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1969
2 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 min
9% above CT
34 minHighest
29% above CT
28 min
5% above CT
24 minLowest
10% below CT
Work from home
13.9%±5Highest
CT: 16%
7%±3.8Lowest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
10.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
Bethlehem and Killingly 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 #82 of 149 in CT — #136 of 149 in CT #126 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 14 Colebrook School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Watertown School District
High school in town None in town None in town Killingly High School Watertown High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
11.1Highest
10.6Lowest
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.