Compare towns
Derby vs Deep River vs Orange vs Orange
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).
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.
| Measure | Derby | Deep River | Orange | Orange |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 12,487 |
4,458Lowest |
14,315Highest |
14,315Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.5%Lowest CT: +0.9% |
— | — | +2.3%Highest CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 46.4±3.1Highest 13% above CT |
46.2±5.6 12% above CT |
45.6±2.4Lowest 11% above CT |
45.6±2.4Lowest 11% above CT |
| Derby and Deep River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±2.9Lowest CT: 20.2% |
16.6%±4.7 CT: 20.2% |
22.9%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
22.9%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Age 65+ | 21.1%±3.9Lowest CT: 18.5% |
22.1%±4.1 CT: 18.5% |
23%±2.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
23%±2.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 35.6%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
44.6% CT: 42.5% |
59.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
59.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.8%±2.2Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.5%±2 CT: 7.1% |
5.5%±2 CT: 7.1% |
| Derby and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $79,500±$11kLowest 17% below CT |
$90,253±$19k 6% below CT |
$142,325±$10kHighest 49% above CT |
$142,325±$10kHighest 49% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $256,700±$21kLowest 30% below CT |
$362,200±$26k about the CT average |
$491,500±$17kHighest 34% above CT |
$491,500±$17kHighest 34% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,452±$95 about the CT average |
$1,221±$185Lowest 18% below CT |
$2,172±$161Highest 46% above CT |
$2,172±$161Highest 46% above CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,510Lowest 17% below CT |
$6,092 8% below CT |
$8,988Highest 35% above CT |
$8,988Highest 35% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.9%±12.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
58.2%±22.9 CT: 52.6% |
64%±12.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
64%±12.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Below poverty line | 10.8%Highest CT: 10% |
8.2% CT: 10% |
3.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
3.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
69.2% CT: 66.5% |
89.2%Highest CT: 66.5% |
89.2%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 same as CT |
1974Highest 7 yrs newer than CT |
1964Lowest 3 yrs older than CT |
1964Lowest 3 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the CT average |
24 minLowest 9% below CT |
28 minHighest 4% above CT |
28 minHighest 4% above CT |
| Work from home | 15.1%±4.8Lowest CT: 16% |
15.2%±5.6 CT: 16% |
15.6%±2.9Highest CT: 16% |
15.6%±2.9Highest CT: 16% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #138 of 149 in CT | #70 of 149 in CT | #38 of 149 in CT | #38 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Derby School District | Deep River School District · Regional School District 04 | Orange School District · Regional School District 05 | — |
| High school in town | Derby High School | Valley Regional High School | None in town | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7Highest |
9.3Lowest |
— | — |
| 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.