Compare towns
Bolton vs Hampton vs Putnam vs Vernon
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Bolton has the most expensive homes ($368k median).
Hampton has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
Putnam has the most affordable homes ($269k median).
Vernon has the most renters (46.8% rent).
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 | Bolton | Hampton | Putnam | Vernon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,853 |
1,647Lowest |
9,292 |
30,577Highest |
| Median age | 43.7±3.3 6% above CT |
51.5±5.3Highest 25% above CT |
43.7±3 6% above CT |
39.4±2.5Lowest 4% below CT |
| Hampton and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20%±3.6Highest CT: 20.2% |
19.7%±5.3 CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.6 CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±2Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Bolton and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.7%±3.4 CT: 18.5% |
26.1%±2.1Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.5%±3.1Lowest CT: 18.5% |
18.6%±1.7 CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 51.3%Highest CT: 42.5% |
29.9% CT: 42.5% |
20%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
38% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.7%±2.6 CT: 7.1% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4 CT: 7.1% |
7.8%±1.2Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Vernon and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $126,364±$19kHighest 32% above CT |
$109,167±$19k 14% above CT |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
$85,356±$6k 11% below CT |
| Bolton and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $367,600±$17kHighest about the CT average |
$295,800±$27k 19% below CT |
$269,200±$11kLowest 27% below CT |
$275,500±$11k 25% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,127±$55Lowest 24% below CT |
$1,285±$288 14% below CT |
$1,149±$44 23% below CT |
$1,425±$77Highest 4% below CT |
| Vernon and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,091Highest 22% above CT |
$4,364 34% below CT |
$3,860Lowest 42% below CT |
$5,804 13% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 39.8%±30.8 CT: 52.6% |
52.5%±51.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
39.3%±5.7 CT: 52.6% |
| Hampton and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.2% CT: 10% |
5.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
11.5% CT: 10% |
13.4%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88% CT: 66.5% |
90%Highest CT: 66.5% |
59.8% CT: 66.5% |
53.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1969 2 yrs newer than CT |
1980Highest 13 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1968 1 yr newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 6% below CT |
29 minHighest 9% above CT |
25 minLowest 6% below CT |
27 min about the CT average |
| Work from home | 20.7%±4.6Highest CT: 16% |
17.7%±5.1 CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Lowest CT: 16% |
13.4%±2.5 CT: 16% |
| Bolton and Hampton 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 | #79 of 149 in CT | — | #128 of 149 in CT | #107 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Bolton School District | Hampton School District | Putnam School District | Vernon School District |
| High school in town | Bolton High School | None in town | Putnam High School | Rockville High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 7.4Lowest |
— | 9.5 |
12.1Highest |
| 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.