Compare towns
Derby vs Middlefield 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).
Middlefield has the oldest population (median age 51.6).
Orange has the most kids (22.9% under 18).
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 | Middlefield | Orange |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 12,487 |
4,243Lowest |
14,315Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.5%Lowest CT: +0.9% |
— | +2.3%Highest CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 46.4±3.1 13% above CT |
51.6±1.9Highest 26% above CT |
45.6±2.4Lowest 11% above CT |
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±2.9 CT: 20.2% |
13.9%±4.1Lowest CT: 20.2% |
22.9%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Age 65+ | 21.1%±3.9Lowest CT: 18.5% |
25.5%±7.2Highest CT: 18.5% |
23%±2.7 CT: 18.5% |
| Middlefield and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 35.6%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
41.5% CT: 42.5% |
59.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.7%±2.4 CT: 7.1% |
5.5%±2Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Derby and Middlefield 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 |
$99,837±$20k 4% above CT |
$142,325±$10kHighest 49% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $256,700±$21kLowest 30% below CT |
$376,000±$27k about the CT average |
$491,500±$17kHighest 34% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,452±$95Lowest about the CT average |
$3,501Highest 135% above CT |
$2,172±$161 46% above CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,510Lowest 17% below CT |
$6,853 3% above CT |
$8,988Highest 35% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.9%±12.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
85.4%±52.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
64%±12.1 CT: 52.6% |
| Middlefield and Orange 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% |
8.1% CT: 10% |
3.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
86.5% CT: 66.5% |
89.2%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967Highest same as CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1964 3 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the CT average |
25 minLowest 6% below CT |
28 minHighest 4% above CT |
| Work from home | 15.1%±4.8 CT: 16% |
10.9%±4.1Lowest CT: 16% |
15.6%±2.9Highest CT: 16% |
| Orange 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 | #65 of 149 in CT | #38 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Derby School District | Regional School District 13 | — |
| High school in town | Derby High School | None in town | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7 |
— | — |
| 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.