Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Orange vs Sprague
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 oldest population (median age 51.5).
Orange has the most kids (22.9% under 18).
Sprague has the most affordable homes ($274k 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 | Orange | Sprague |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,423 |
14,315Highest |
2,962Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +2.3% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 51.5±8.5Highest 25% above CT |
45.6±2.4Lowest 11% above CT |
48.5±10.7 18% above CT |
| Bethlehem and Sprague 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% |
22.9%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
17.1%±5.4 CT: 20.2% |
| Orange and Sprague are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.5%±5.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
23%±2.7 CT: 18.5% |
19.9%±3.9Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Bethlehem and Orange 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% |
59.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
19.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
5.5%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
0.6%±0.6Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Orange and Bethlehem 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 |
$142,325±$10kHighest 49% above CT |
$92,850±$11kLowest 3% below CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $410,900±$36k 12% above CT |
$491,500±$17kHighest 34% above CT |
$273,500±$17kLowest 25% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,127±$124Lowest 24% below CT |
$2,172±$161Highest 46% above CT |
$1,247±$144 16% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,932 11% below CT |
$8,988Highest 35% above CT |
$4,668Lowest 30% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
64%±12.1 CT: 52.6% |
26.9%±12.2Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Orange 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% |
3.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
8.1% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2% CT: 66.5% |
89.2%Highest CT: 66.5% |
67.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1964 3 yrs older than CT |
1959Lowest 8 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 9% above CT |
28 minLowest 4% above CT |
30 minHighest 12% above CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
15.6%±2.9Highest CT: 16% |
5%±2.9Lowest CT: 16% |
| Orange 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 | #38 of 149 in CT | #141 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 14 | — | Sprague School District |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| 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.