Compare towns
Chester vs Union vs Bethlehem vs Westbrook
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 kids (17.5% under 18).
Union has the most homeowners (92.9%).
Bethlehem has the most renters (29.8% rent).
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 | Chester | Union | Bethlehem | Westbrook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,825 |
944Lowest |
3,423 |
6,856Highest |
| Median age | 54±3.4 31% above CT |
49.9±4.3Lowest 21% above CT |
51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
58.2±3.7Highest 42% above CT |
| Westbrook and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.5%±4.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3 CT: 20.2% |
16.3%±4 CT: 20.2% |
9.6%±2.6Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Chester and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±4 CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±2.6Lowest CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±5.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
36%±5.5Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Westbrook and Chester 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% |
24%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
39.2% CT: 42.5% |
41.8% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4%±2.9 CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
3.4%±1.6Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Union and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $109,191±$18kHighest 14% above CT |
$88,958±$14kLowest 7% below CT |
$108,929±$16k 14% above CT |
$91,202±$23k 5% below CT |
| Chester and Bethlehem 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 |
$330,400±$26kLowest 10% below CT |
$410,900±$36k 12% above CT |
$434,300±$42k 18% above CT |
| Chester and Westbrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,549±$247Highest 4% above CT |
— | $1,127±$124Lowest 24% below CT |
$1,425±$176 4% below CT |
| Chester and Westbrook 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 |
$4,793Lowest 28% below CT |
$5,932 11% below CT |
$5,829 12% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.4%±22.1 CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
69.7%±38.5 CT: 52.6% |
53.8%±17.2Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Bethlehem 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% |
5.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
10.4% CT: 10% |
7% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.2% CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
70.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
75.6% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1969Lowest 2 yrs newer than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1970 3 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 7% above CT |
32 minHighest 20% above CT |
29 min 9% above CT |
21 minLowest 19% below CT |
| Work from home | 18.3%±5.6 CT: 16% |
9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
19%±5Highest CT: 16% |
| Westbrook and Chester 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 | — | #82 of 149 in CT | #59 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Chester School District | Union School District | Regional School District 14 | Westbrook School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Westbrook High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 6.3 |
| 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.