Compare towns

Bethlehem vs Derby vs Morris

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 expensive homes ($411k median).
Derby has the most affordable homes ($257k median).
Morris has the most homeowners (89.4%).

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.

MeasureBethlehemDerbyMorris
People
Population
3,423
12,487Highest
2,164Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-4.5%
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
51.5±8.5
25% above CT
46.4±3.1Lowest
13% above CT
52.8±6.5Highest
28% above CT
Morris 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%
14.6%±2.9Lowest
CT: 20.2%
17.9%±4.5Highest
CT: 20.2%
Morris and Bethlehem 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%
21.1%±3.9Lowest
CT: 18.5%
29.3%±6.6Highest
CT: 18.5%
Morris 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%
CT: 42.5%
35.6%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
41.5%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.5%±3.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±2Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.2%±3
CT: 7.1%
Derby and Morris 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
$79,500±$11kLowest
17% below CT
$109,191±$25kHighest
14% above CT
Morris 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
$256,700±$21kLowest
30% below CT
$396,000±$60k
8% above CT
Bethlehem and Morris 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
$1,452±$95Highest
about the CT average
$1,204±$134
19% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,932Highest
11% below CT
$5,510
17% below CT
$5,273Lowest
21% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
69.7%±38.5Highest
CT: 52.6%
53.9%±12.6Lowest
CT: 52.6%
57.1%±31.9
CT: 52.6%
Bethlehem and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.4%
CT: 10%
10.8%Highest
CT: 10%
6.8%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
70.2%
CT: 66.5%
61.9%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
89.4%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1967Lowest
same as CT
1967Lowest
same as CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 min
9% above CT
27 minLowest
about the CT average
29 minHighest
11% above CT
Work from home
13.9%±5Lowest
CT: 16%
15.1%±4.8
CT: 16%
18.4%±5.7Highest
CT: 16%
Morris and Derby 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 #138 of 149 in CT —
School district Regional School District 14 Derby School District Regional School District 20
High school in town None in town Derby High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.7
—
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.