Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Derby vs Morris vs Deep River
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%).
Deep River 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.
| Measure | Bethlehem | Derby | Morris | Deep River |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,423 |
12,487Highest |
2,164Lowest |
4,458 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
46.4±3.1 13% above CT |
52.8±6.5Highest 28% above CT |
46.2±5.6Lowest 12% 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% |
16.6%±4.7 CT: 20.2% |
| Morris and Deep River 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% |
22.1%±4.1 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% CT: 42.5% |
44.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
5.9%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.2%±3 CT: 7.1% |
3.8%±2.2Lowest 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 |
$90,253±$19k 6% below 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 |
$362,200±$26k about the CT average |
| 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 |
$1,221±$185 18% below CT |
| Derby and Deep River 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 |
$5,510 17% below CT |
$5,273Lowest 21% below CT |
$6,092Highest 8% 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% |
58.2%±22.9 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% CT: 10% |
10.8%Highest CT: 10% |
6.8%Lowest CT: 10% |
8.2% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2% CT: 66.5% |
61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
89.4%Highest CT: 66.5% |
69.2% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1967Lowest same as CT |
1967Lowest same as CT |
1974 7 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 9% above CT |
27 min about the CT average |
29 minHighest 11% above CT |
24 minLowest 9% below CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±5Lowest CT: 16% |
15.1%±4.8 CT: 16% |
18.4%±5.7Highest CT: 16% |
15.2%±5.6 CT: 16% |
| Morris and Deep River 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 | — | #70 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 14 | Derby School District | Regional School District 20 | Deep River School District · Regional School District 04 |
| High school in town | None in town | Derby High School | None in town | Valley Regional High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.7Highest |
— | 9.3Lowest |
| 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.