Compare towns
Orange vs Bethlehem vs Orange vs West Haven
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Bethlehem has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
West Haven has the most affordable homes ($292k 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 | Orange | Bethlehem | Orange | West Haven |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 14,315 |
3,423Lowest |
14,315 |
55,351Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | +2.3%Highest CT: +0.9% |
0%Lowest CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 45.6±2.4 11% above CT |
51.5±8.5Highest 25% above CT |
45.6±2.4 11% above CT |
35.8±1.5Lowest 13% below CT |
| Bethlehem and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22.9%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.3%±4Lowest CT: 20.2% |
22.9%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
20.3%±1.9 CT: 20.2% |
| Age 65+ | 23%±2.7 CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±5.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
23%±2.7 CT: 18.5% |
16%±1.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Bethlehem and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 59.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
39.2% CT: 42.5% |
59.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
30.5%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.5%±2 CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±3.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.5%±2 CT: 7.1% |
13.6%±1.6Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $142,325±$10kHighest 49% above CT |
$108,929±$16k 14% above CT |
$142,325±$10kHighest 49% above CT |
$74,382±$5kLowest 22% below CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $491,500±$17kHighest 34% above CT |
$410,900±$36k 12% above CT |
$491,500±$17kHighest 34% above CT |
$291,700±$9kLowest 20% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,172±$161Highest 46% above CT |
$1,127±$124Lowest 24% below CT |
$2,172±$161Highest 46% above CT |
$1,442±$43 3% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,988Highest 35% above CT |
$5,932Lowest 11% below CT |
$8,988Highest 35% above CT |
$6,941 4% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 64%±12.1 CT: 52.6% |
69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
64%±12.1 CT: 52.6% |
53.4%±5.8Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
10.4% CT: 10% |
3.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
14.1%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.2%Highest CT: 66.5% |
70.2% CT: 66.5% |
89.2%Highest CT: 66.5% |
50.6%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 3 yrs older than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1964 3 yrs older than CT |
1959Lowest 8 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 4% above CT |
29 minHighest 9% above CT |
28 min 4% above CT |
23 minLowest 14% below CT |
| Work from home | 15.6%±2.9Highest CT: 16% |
13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
15.6%±2.9Highest CT: 16% |
9.2%±1.4Lowest CT: 16% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #38 of 149 in CT | #82 of 149 in CT | #38 of 149 in CT | #120 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Orange School District · Regional School District 05 | Regional School District 14 | — | New Haven School District · West Haven School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — | West Haven High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 15.6 |
| 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.