Compare towns

Middlefield vs Middletown vs Durham

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Middlefield has the oldest population (median age 51.6).
Middletown has the most renters (47.1% rent).
Durham has the highest household income ($159k).

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.

MeasureMiddlefieldMiddletownDurham
People
Population
4,243Lowest
47,958Highest
7,208
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+0.1%
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
51.6±1.9Highest
26% above CT
38.1±1.5Lowest
7% below CT
45.5±2.8
11% above CT
Kids under 18
13.9%±4.1Lowest
CT: 20.2%
14.3%±1.3
CT: 20.2%
16.4%±3.6Highest
CT: 20.2%
Durham and Middletown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
25.5%±7.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
16.5%±1.3Lowest
CT: 18.5%
17.4%±3.7
CT: 18.5%
Middlefield and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
41.5%
CT: 42.5%
40.2%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
47.9%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.4
CT: 7.1%
15.5%±1.4Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.6%±1.5Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$99,837±$20k
4% above CT
$79,438±$6kLowest
17% below CT
$158,857±$7kHighest
66% above CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$376,000±$27k
about the CT average
$295,300±$11kLowest
20% below CT
$424,800±$23kHighest
16% above CT
Durham and Middlefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$3,501Highest
135% above CT
$1,446±$45
about the CT average
$1,154±$448Lowest
22% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,853
3% above CT
$6,412Lowest
3% below CT
$7,998Highest
20% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
85.4%±52.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
47.7%±5.3
CT: 52.6%
44.9%±28.4Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Middlefield and Middletown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.1%
CT: 10%
12%Highest
CT: 10%
3.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.5%
CT: 66.5%
52.9%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
93.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1972
5 yrs newer than CT
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minHighest
6% below CT
23 min
12% below CT
23 minLowest
13% below CT
Work from home
10.9%±4.1Lowest
CT: 16%
14.1%±1.8
CT: 16%
20.5%±6.4Highest
CT: 16%
Durham and Middletown 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 #65 of 149 in CT #121 of 149 in CT #88 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 13 Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Regional School District 13
High school in town None in town Middletown High School Coginchaug Regional High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.8Highest
8.9Lowest
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.