Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Morris vs Putnam vs Washington
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Morris has the most homeowners (89.4%).
Putnam has the most affordable homes ($269k median).
Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k median).
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 | Morris | Putnam | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,423 |
2,164Lowest |
9,292Highest |
3,676 |
| Median age | 51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
52.8±6.5Highest 28% above CT |
43.7±3Lowest 6% above CT |
49.9±5.5 21% 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%±4Lowest CT: 20.2% |
17.9%±4.5 CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.6 CT: 20.2% |
19%±4.7Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Washington and Putnam 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% |
29.3%±6.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.5%±3.1Lowest CT: 18.5% |
26.9%±5.3 CT: 18.5% |
| Morris 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% CT: 42.5% |
41.5% CT: 42.5% |
20%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
53.7%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
5.2%±3 CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
6.4%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Washington 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 |
$109,191±$25kHighest 14% above CT |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
$101,549±$16k 6% 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±$36k 12% above CT |
$396,000±$60k 8% above CT |
$269,200±$11kLowest 27% below CT |
$660,200±$130kHighest 80% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,127±$124Lowest 24% below CT |
$1,204±$134Highest 19% below CT |
$1,149±$44 23% below CT |
$1,204±$264Highest 19% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,932Highest 11% below CT |
$5,273 21% below CT |
$3,860Lowest 42% below CT |
$4,709 29% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
57.1%±31.9 CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6 CT: 52.6% |
26.1%±24Lowest 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% |
6.8%Lowest CT: 10% |
11.5%Highest CT: 10% |
9% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2% CT: 66.5% |
89.4%Highest CT: 66.5% |
59.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
79% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1967 same as CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1971 4 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 9% above CT |
29 minHighest 11% above CT |
25 minLowest 6% below CT |
26 min 4% below CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
18.4%±5.7 CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Lowest CT: 16% |
20.1%±9Highest CT: 16% |
| Washington and Morris 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 | — | #128 of 149 in CT | #17 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 14 | Regional School District 20 | Putnam School District | Regional School District 12 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Putnam High School | Shepaug Valley School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.5Highest |
9.1Lowest |
| 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.