Compare towns

Bethlehem vs Deep River vs Thompson

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 highest household income ($109k).
Deep River has the shortest commute (24 min average).
Thompson has the most homeowners (84.3%).

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.

MeasureBethlehemDeep RiverThompson
People
Population
3,423Lowest
4,458
9,337Highest
Median age
51.5±8.5
25% above CT
46.2±5.6Lowest
12% above CT
54.1±2.2Highest
32% above CT
Thompson and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.3%±4
CT: 20.2%
16.6%±4.7Highest
CT: 20.2%
11.4%±2.8Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Deep River and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.5%±5.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
22.1%±4.1Lowest
CT: 18.5%
24.4%±4.3
CT: 18.5%
Bethlehem and Thompson 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%
44.6%Highest
CT: 42.5%
21.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.5%±3.1Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.8%±2.2
CT: 7.1%
2.9%±1.3Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Bethlehem and Deep River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$108,929±$16kHighest
14% above CT
$90,253±$19kLowest
6% below CT
$93,629±$18k
about the CT average
Bethlehem and Thompson 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
$362,200±$26k
about the CT average
$291,900±$24kLowest
20% below CT
Bethlehem and Deep River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,127±$124
24% below CT
$1,221±$185Highest
18% below CT
$1,012±$344Lowest
32% below CT
Deep River 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
$6,092Highest
8% below CT
$3,822Lowest
42% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
69.7%±38.5Highest
CT: 52.6%
58.2%±22.9
CT: 52.6%
54%±18.7Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Bethlehem and Deep River 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%
8.2%
CT: 10%
5.9%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
70.2%
CT: 66.5%
69.2%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
84.3%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1974
7 yrs newer than CT
1963Lowest
4 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 min
9% above CT
24 minLowest
9% below CT
32 minHighest
20% above CT
Work from home
13.9%±5
CT: 16%
15.2%±5.6Highest
CT: 16%
13.1%±4.4Lowest
CT: 16%
Deep River 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 #70 of 149 in CT #130 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 14 Deep River School District · Regional School District 04 Thompson School District
High school in town None in town Valley Regional High School Tourtellotte Memorial High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.3Highest
7.9Lowest
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.