Compare towns
Newtown vs Goshen vs Salem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Newtown has the most people working from home (31.6%).
Goshen has the oldest population (median age 51.4).
Salem has the most affordable homes ($404k 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 | Newtown | Goshen | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,898Lowest |
3,196 |
4,282Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.4% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 43.7±2.1 6% above CT |
51.4±3.6Highest 25% above CT |
40.9±5.4Lowest about the CT average |
| Kids under 18 | 22.4%±2.7 CT: 20.2% |
15.3%±3.9Lowest CT: 20.2% |
23.2%±5.1Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Salem and Newtown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 20.6%±2.8 CT: 18.5% |
26.8%±5.4Highest CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±4.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Goshen and Newtown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 66.8%Highest CT: 42.5% |
56.7% CT: 42.5% |
50.6%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±1.3 CT: 7.1% |
2.8%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.8%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Salem and Newtown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $164,821±$27kHighest 72% above CT |
$152,093±$27k 59% above CT |
$123,245±$8kLowest 29% above CT |
| Newtown and Goshen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $523,200±$38kHighest 43% above CT |
$482,400±$71k 31% above CT |
$403,600±$33kLowest 10% above CT |
| Newtown and Goshen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,023±$538Highest 36% above CT |
$1,250±$724Lowest 16% below CT |
$1,440±$150 3% below CT |
| Newtown and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $9,046Highest 36% above CT |
$5,292Lowest 20% below CT |
$6,668 about the CT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 51.9%±38.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
31.8%±25.1Lowest CT: 52.6% |
32.1%±26 CT: 52.6% |
| Newtown and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2%Lowest CT: 10% |
4.5% CT: 10% |
6.2%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.8% CT: 66.5% |
88.3%Highest CT: 66.5% |
86.6%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963Lowest 4 yrs older than CT |
1985 18 yrs newer than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest about the CT average |
42 minHighest 58% above CT |
32 min 19% above CT |
| Work from home | 31.6%±5.6Highest CT: 16% |
13.4%±5.9Lowest CT: 16% |
18%±9.6 CT: 16% |
| Newtown and Salem 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 | #27 of 149 in CT | — | #11 of 149 in CT |
| School district | — | Regional School District 20 | Salem School District |
| High school 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.