Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Middlefield vs Washington vs Westbrook
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).
Middlefield has the most homeowners (86.5%).
Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k median).
Westbrook has the shortest commute (21 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 | Middlefield | Washington | Westbrook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,423Lowest |
4,243 |
3,676 |
6,856Highest |
| Median age | 51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
51.6±1.9 26% above CT |
49.9±5.5Lowest 21% above CT |
58.2±3.7Highest 42% above CT |
| Kids under 18 | 16.3%±4 CT: 20.2% |
13.9%±4.1 CT: 20.2% |
19%±4.7Highest CT: 20.2% |
9.6%±2.6Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Washington and Bethlehem 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% |
25.5%±7.2 CT: 18.5% |
26.9%±5.3 CT: 18.5% |
36%±5.5Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Westbrook and Washington 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% CT: 42.5% |
53.7%Highest CT: 42.5% |
41.8% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
5.7%±2.4 CT: 7.1% |
6.4%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.4%±1.6Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Washington and Middlefield 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 |
$99,837±$20k 4% above CT |
$101,549±$16k 6% above CT |
$91,202±$23kLowest 5% below CT |
| Bethlehem and Washington 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 |
$376,000±$27kLowest about the CT average |
$660,200±$130kHighest 80% above CT |
$434,300±$42k 18% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,127±$124Lowest 24% below CT |
$3,501Highest 135% above CT |
$1,204±$264 19% below CT |
$1,425±$176 4% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,932 11% below CT |
$6,853Highest 3% above CT |
$4,709Lowest 29% below CT |
$5,829 12% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.7%±38.5 CT: 52.6% |
85.4%±52.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
26.1%±24Lowest CT: 52.6% |
53.8%±17.2 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%Highest CT: 10% |
8.1% CT: 10% |
9% CT: 10% |
7%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
86.5%Highest CT: 66.5% |
79% CT: 66.5% |
75.6% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1971 4 yrs newer than CT |
1970 3 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 9% above CT |
25 min 6% below CT |
26 min 4% below CT |
21 minLowest 19% below CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
10.9%±4.1Lowest CT: 16% |
20.1%±9Highest CT: 16% |
19%±5 CT: 16% |
| Washington and Westbrook 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 | #17 of 149 in CT | #59 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 14 | Regional School District 13 | Regional School District 12 | Westbrook School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Shepaug Valley School | Westbrook High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.1Highest |
6.3Lowest |
| 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.