Compare towns
Morris vs Chester vs Bethlehem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Morris has the most homeowners (89.4%).
Chester has the most expensive homes ($442k median).
Bethlehem has the most renters (29.8% rent).
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 | Morris | Chester | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,164Lowest |
3,825Highest |
3,423 |
| Median age | 52.8±6.5 28% above CT |
54±3.4Highest 31% above CT |
51.5±8.5Lowest 25% above CT |
| Chester and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17.9%±4.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
17.5%±4.9 CT: 20.2% |
16.3%±4Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Morris and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 29.3%±6.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
26.8%±4 CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±5.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Morris and Chester 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% |
47.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
39.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.2%±3Highest CT: 7.1% |
4%±2.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
| Morris and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $109,191±$25kHighest 14% above CT |
$109,191±$18kHighest 14% above CT |
$108,929±$16kLowest 14% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $396,000±$60kLowest 8% above CT |
$442,200±$25kHighest 21% above CT |
$410,900±$36k 12% above CT |
| Chester and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,204±$134 19% below CT |
$1,549±$247Highest 4% above CT |
$1,127±$124Lowest 24% below CT |
| Chester and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,273Lowest 21% below CT |
$6,364Highest 4% below CT |
$5,932 11% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.1%±31.9Lowest CT: 52.6% |
57.4%±22.1 CT: 52.6% |
69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.8%Lowest CT: 10% |
11.8%Highest CT: 10% |
10.4% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.4%Highest CT: 66.5% |
73.2% CT: 66.5% |
70.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967Lowest same as CT |
1969 2 yrs newer than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 11% above CT |
28 minLowest 7% above CT |
29 min 9% above CT |
| Work from home | 18.4%±5.7Highest CT: 16% |
18.3%±5.6 CT: 16% |
13.9%±5Lowest CT: 16% |
| Morris and Chester 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 | — | #8 of 149 in CT | #82 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 20 | Chester School District | Regional School District 14 |
| 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.