Compare towns

Derby vs Bristol vs Bloomfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Derby has the most affordable homes ($257k median).
Bristol has the most kids (20.1% under 18).
Bloomfield has the highest household income ($99k).

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.

MeasureDerbyBristolBloomfield
People
Population
12,487Lowest
61,462Highest
21,754
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.5%Lowest
CT: +0.9%
+0.6%Highest
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
46.4±3.1
13% above CT
37.9±1.5Lowest
8% below CT
48.4±3.3Highest
18% above CT
Bloomfield and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.6%±2.9
CT: 20.2%
20.1%±1.7Highest
CT: 20.2%
13.7%±2.1Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Age 65+
21.1%±3.9
CT: 18.5%
16.2%±1.2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
27.3%±2.6Highest
CT: 18.5%
Bloomfield and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.6%
CT: 42.5%
30.3%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
40.8%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.9%±2Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±0.9Lowest
CT: 7.1%
6.6%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
Bloomfield and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$79,500±$11k
17% below CT
$79,076±$6kLowest
17% below CT
$98,725±$14kHighest
3% above CT
Bloomfield and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$256,700±$21kLowest
30% below CT
$277,800±$8k
24% below CT
$286,900±$11kHighest
22% below CT
Bloomfield and Bristol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,452±$95
about the CT average
$1,338±$45Lowest
10% below CT
$1,881±$175Highest
26% above CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,510
17% below CT
$5,449Lowest
18% below CT
$5,795Highest
13% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.9%±12.6
CT: 52.6%
55.5%±5.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
52.6%±11.2Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Bristol and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.8%Highest
CT: 10%
10.7%
CT: 10%
5.8%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
61.9%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
64.9%
CT: 66.5%
71.1%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967Lowest
same as CT
1967Lowest
same as CT
1970Highest
3 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minHighest
about the CT average
24 min
11% below CT
23 minLowest
12% below CT
Work from home
15.1%±4.8
CT: 16%
11.4%±1.7Lowest
CT: 16%
18.2%±3.1Highest
CT: 16%
Bloomfield and Derby 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 #138 of 149 in CT #115 of 149 in CT #139 of 149 in CT
School district Derby School District Bristol School District Bloomfield School District · Capitol Region Education Council
High school in town Derby High School Bristol Central High School Academy of International Studies 6-12
Students per teacherat that high school
9.7Lowest
14.0Highest
10.1
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 6 photos → 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.