Compare towns

Bethlehem vs Colebrook vs Union

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 kids (17.9% under 18).
Union has the most affordable homes ($330k 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.

MeasureBethlehemColebrookUnion
People
Population
3,423Highest
1,494
944Lowest
Median age
51.5±8.5
25% above CT
52.1±5Highest
27% above CT
49.9±4.3Lowest
21% 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%±3.9Highest
CT: 20.2%
16.9%±4.3
CT: 20.2%
Colebrook and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.5%±5.3Lowest
CT: 18.5%
26%±4.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
24.5%±2.6Lowest
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%
24%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.5%±3.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
5%±3.3
CT: 7.1%
Colebrook and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$108,929±$16k
14% above CT
$111,250±$17kHighest
16% above CT
$88,958±$14kLowest
7% below 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
$330,400±$26kLowest
10% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,127±$124Lowest
24% below CT
$1,333±$626Highest
10% below CT
—
Colebrook and Bethlehem 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
$4,793Lowest
28% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
69.7%±38.5
CT: 52.6%
42.1%±55Lowest
CT: 52.6%
90%±64.7Highest
CT: 52.6%
Union and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.4%Highest
CT: 10%
8.3%
CT: 10%
5.7%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
70.2%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
91.6%
CT: 66.5%
92.9%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1960Lowest
7 yrs older than CT
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minLowest
9% above CT
34 minHighest
29% above CT
32 min
20% above CT
Work from home
13.9%±5Highest
CT: 16%
7%±3.8Lowest
CT: 16%
9%±3.7
CT: 16%
Bethlehem and Union 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 — —
School district Regional School District 14 Colebrook School District Union School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.