Compare towns

Hampton vs Salem vs Colebrook

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hampton has the most affordable homes ($296k median).
Salem has the youngest population (median age 40.9).
Colebrook has the most homeowners (91.6%).

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.

MeasureHamptonSalemColebrook
People
Population
1,647
4,282Highest
1,494Lowest
Median age
51.5±5.3
25% above CT
40.9±5.4Lowest
about the CT average
52.1±5Highest
27% above CT
Colebrook and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.7%±5.3
CT: 20.2%
23.2%±5.1Highest
CT: 20.2%
17.9%±3.9Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Salem and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.1%±2.1Highest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±4.7Lowest
CT: 18.5%
26%±4.2
CT: 18.5%
Hampton and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
29.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
50.6%Highest
CT: 42.5%
36.6%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.9%±1.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.8%±3.3Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
Salem and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$109,167±$19kLowest
14% above CT
$123,245±$8kHighest
29% above CT
$111,250±$17k
16% above CT
Salem and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$295,800±$27kLowest
19% below CT
$403,600±$33kHighest
10% above CT
$342,800±$19k
7% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,285±$288Lowest
14% below CT
$1,440±$150Highest
3% below CT
$1,333±$626
10% below CT
Salem and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,364Lowest
34% below CT
$6,668Highest
about the CT average
$6,211
7% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.5%±51.5Highest
CT: 52.6%
32.1%±26Lowest
CT: 52.6%
42.1%±55
CT: 52.6%
Hampton and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.7%Lowest
CT: 10%
6.2%
CT: 10%
8.3%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90%
CT: 66.5%
86.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
91.6%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
13 yrs newer than CT
1988Highest
21 yrs newer than CT
1960Lowest
7 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minLowest
9% above CT
32 min
19% above CT
34 minHighest
29% above CT
Work from home
17.7%±5.1
CT: 16%
18%±9.6Highest
CT: 16%
7%±3.8Lowest
CT: 16%
Salem and Hampton 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 — #11 of 149 in CT —
School district Hampton School District Salem School District Colebrook School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
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.