Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Colebrook vs Union vs Chester
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 renters (29.8% rent).
Colebrook has the most kids (17.9% under 18).
Union has the most affordable homes ($330k median).
Chester has the most people working from home (18.3%).
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.
| Measure | Bethlehem | Colebrook | Union | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,423 |
1,494 |
944Lowest |
3,825Highest |
| Median age | 51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
52.1±5 27% above CT |
49.9±4.3Lowest 21% above CT |
54±3.4Highest 31% above CT |
| Chester and Colebrook 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% |
17.5%±4.9 CT: 20.2% |
| Colebrook and Chester 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%±4.2 CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±2.6Lowest CT: 18.5% |
26.8%±4Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Chester and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.2% CT: 42.5% |
36.6% CT: 42.5% |
24%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
47.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±1.8Highest CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
4%±2.9Lowest 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 |
$109,191±$18k 14% above CT |
| Colebrook and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $410,900±$36k 12% above CT |
$342,800±$19k 7% below CT |
$330,400±$26kLowest 10% below CT |
$442,200±$25kHighest 21% above CT |
| Chester and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,127±$124Lowest 24% below CT |
$1,333±$626 10% below CT |
— | $1,549±$247Highest 4% above CT |
| Chester and Colebrook 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 |
$6,211 7% below CT |
$4,793Lowest 28% below CT |
$6,364Highest 4% 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% |
57.4%±22.1 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% CT: 10% |
8.3% CT: 10% |
5.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
11.8%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
91.6% CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
73.2% 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 |
1969 2 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 9% above CT |
34 minHighest 29% above CT |
32 min 20% above CT |
28 minLowest 7% above CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
7%±3.8Lowest CT: 16% |
9%±3.7 CT: 16% |
18.3%±5.6Highest CT: 16% |
| Chester and Bethlehem 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 | — | — | #8 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 14 | Colebrook School District | Union School District | Chester School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.