Compare towns
Morris vs Thompson vs Bethlehem vs Washington
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%).
Thompson has the most affordable homes ($292k median).
Bethlehem has the most renters (29.8% rent).
Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k median).
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 | Thompson | Bethlehem | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,164Lowest |
9,337Highest |
3,423 |
3,676 |
| Median age | 52.8±6.5 28% above CT |
54.1±2.2Highest 32% above CT |
51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
49.9±5.5Lowest 21% above CT |
| Thompson and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.9%±4.5 CT: 20.2% |
11.4%±2.8Lowest CT: 20.2% |
16.3%±4 CT: 20.2% |
19%±4.7Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Washington and Morris 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% |
24.4%±4.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±5.3 CT: 18.5% |
26.9%±5.3 CT: 18.5% |
| Morris and Washington 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% |
21.9%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
39.2% CT: 42.5% |
53.7%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.2%±3 CT: 7.1% |
2.9%±1.3Lowest CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
6.4%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Washington and Morris 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 |
$93,629±$18kLowest about the CT average |
$108,929±$16k 14% above CT |
$101,549±$16k 6% above CT |
| Morris and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $396,000±$60k 8% above CT |
$291,900±$24kLowest 20% below CT |
$410,900±$36k 12% above CT |
$660,200±$130kHighest 80% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,204±$134Highest 19% below CT |
$1,012±$344Lowest 32% below CT |
$1,127±$124 24% below CT |
$1,204±$264Highest 19% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,273 21% below CT |
$3,822Lowest 42% below CT |
$5,932Highest 11% below CT |
$4,709 29% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.1%±31.9 CT: 52.6% |
54%±18.7 CT: 52.6% |
69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
26.1%±24Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6.8% CT: 10% |
5.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
10.4%Highest CT: 10% |
9% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.4%Highest CT: 66.5% |
84.3% CT: 66.5% |
70.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
79% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 same as CT |
1963Lowest 4 yrs older than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1971 4 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 11% above CT |
32 minHighest 20% above CT |
29 min 9% above CT |
26 minLowest 4% below CT |
| Work from home | 18.4%±5.7 CT: 16% |
13.1%±4.4Lowest CT: 16% |
13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
20.1%±9Highest CT: 16% |
| Washington and Morris 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 | — | #130 of 149 in CT | #82 of 149 in CT | #17 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 20 | Thompson School District | Regional School District 14 | Regional School District 12 |
| High school in town | None in town | Tourtellotte Memorial High School | None in town | Shepaug Valley School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 7.9Lowest |
— | 9.1Highest |
| 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.