Compare towns

Bethlehem vs Middlefield vs Middletown

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 kids (16.3% under 18).
Middlefield has the most homeowners (86.5%).
Middletown has the youngest population (median age 38.1).

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.

MeasureBethlehemMiddlefieldMiddletown
People
Population
3,423Lowest
4,243
47,958Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
+0.1%
CT: +0.9%
Median age
51.5±8.5
25% above CT
51.6±1.9Highest
26% above CT
38.1±1.5Lowest
7% below CT
Middlefield and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.3%±4Highest
CT: 20.2%
13.9%±4.1Lowest
CT: 20.2%
14.3%±1.3
CT: 20.2%
Bethlehem and Middletown 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%
25.5%±7.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
16.5%±1.3Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Middlefield 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%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
41.5%Highest
CT: 42.5%
40.2%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.5%±3.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.7%±2.4
CT: 7.1%
15.5%±1.4Highest
CT: 7.1%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$108,929±$16kHighest
14% above CT
$99,837±$20k
4% above CT
$79,438±$6kLowest
17% below CT
Bethlehem and Middlefield 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
$376,000±$27k
about the CT average
$295,300±$11kLowest
20% below CT
Bethlehem and Middlefield 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
$3,501Highest
135% above CT
$1,446±$45
about the CT average
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,932Lowest
11% below CT
$6,853Highest
3% above CT
$6,412
3% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
69.7%±38.5
CT: 52.6%
85.4%±52.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
47.7%±5.3Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Middlefield 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%
8.1%Lowest
CT: 10%
12%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
70.2%
CT: 66.5%
86.5%Highest
CT: 66.5%
52.9%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1972
5 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
9% above CT
25 min
6% below CT
23 minLowest
12% below CT
Work from home
13.9%±5
CT: 16%
10.9%±4.1Lowest
CT: 16%
14.1%±1.8Highest
CT: 16%
Middletown 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 #65 of 149 in CT #121 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 14 Regional School District 13 Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
High school in town None in town None in town Middletown High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
11.8
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.