Compare towns

Chester vs Colebrook vs Deep River

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Chester has the most expensive homes ($442k median).
Colebrook has the most homeowners (91.6%).
Deep River has the shortest commute (24 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.

MeasureChesterColebrookDeep River
People
Population
3,825
1,494Lowest
4,458Highest
Median age
54±3.4Highest
31% above CT
52.1±5
27% above CT
46.2±5.6Lowest
12% above CT
Chester and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.5%±4.9
CT: 20.2%
17.9%±3.9Highest
CT: 20.2%
16.6%±4.7Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Colebrook and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.8%±4Highest
CT: 18.5%
26%±4.2
CT: 18.5%
22.1%±4.1Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Chester and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
47.9%Highest
CT: 42.5%
36.6%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
44.6%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4%±2.9
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.8%±2.2Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Colebrook and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$109,191±$18k
14% above CT
$111,250±$17kHighest
16% above CT
$90,253±$19kLowest
6% below CT
Colebrook and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$442,200±$25kHighest
21% above CT
$342,800±$19kLowest
7% below CT
$362,200±$26k
about the CT average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,549±$247Highest
4% above CT
$1,333±$626
10% below CT
$1,221±$185Lowest
18% below CT
Chester and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,364Highest
4% below CT
$6,211
7% below CT
$6,092Lowest
8% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.4%±22.1
CT: 52.6%
42.1%±55Lowest
CT: 52.6%
58.2%±22.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
Deep River and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.8%Highest
CT: 10%
8.3%
CT: 10%
8.2%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.2%
CT: 66.5%
91.6%Highest
CT: 66.5%
69.2%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1969
2 yrs newer than CT
1960Lowest
7 yrs older than CT
1974Highest
7 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
7% above CT
34 minHighest
29% above CT
24 minLowest
9% below CT
Work from home
18.3%±5.6Highest
CT: 16%
7%±3.8Lowest
CT: 16%
15.2%±5.6
CT: 16%
Chester and Deep River 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 #8 of 149 in CT — #70 of 149 in CT
School district Chester School District Colebrook School District Deep River School District · Regional School District 04
High school in town None in town None in town Valley Regional High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.3
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.