Compare towns

Prospect vs Bethany vs Naugatuck

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Prospect has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Bethany has the highest household income ($166k).
Naugatuck has the most renters (32.2% 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.

MeasureProspectBethanyNaugatuck
People
Population
9,458
5,288Lowest
31,800Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
-1.1%
CT: +0.9%
Median age
46.8±3.9Highest
14% above CT
42.5±2.9
3% above CT
39.8±2.4Lowest
3% below CT
Prospect and Bethany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.4%±4.1Highest
CT: 20.2%
20.3%±5.9
CT: 20.2%
19.9%±2.3Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Prospect and Bethany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.5%±4.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
17.2%±4.2
CT: 18.5%
15.6%±2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Prospect and Bethany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
40.3%
CT: 42.5%
58%Highest
CT: 42.5%
32.2%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.8Lowest
CT: 7.1%
6.8%±3.7
CT: 7.1%
7.8%±1.7Highest
CT: 7.1%
Naugatuck and Bethany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$126,394±$18k
32% above CT
$166,236±$20kHighest
74% above CT
$96,324±$9kLowest
about the CT average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$355,400±$21k
3% below CT
$418,000±$42kHighest
14% above CT
$259,100±$13kLowest
29% below CT
Bethany and Prospect are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,800±$433Highest
21% above CT
—
$1,369±$58Lowest
8% below CT
Prospect and Naugatuck are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,504
about the CT average
$8,313Highest
25% above CT
$6,362Lowest
4% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.3%±31.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
0%±100Lowest
CT: 52.6%
42.2%±9.4
CT: 52.6%
Prospect and Naugatuck are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.2%
CT: 10%
2.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
6.3%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.5%
CT: 66.5%
97.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
67.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974Highest
7 yrs newer than CT
1970Lowest
3 yrs newer than CT
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
4% above CT
32 min
21% above CT
33 minHighest
26% above CT
Work from home
10.1%±3.2Lowest
CT: 16%
12%±5.2
CT: 16%
15%±2.8Highest
CT: 16%
Naugatuck and Bethany 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 #50 of 149 in CT #30 of 149 in CT #116 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 16 Bethany School District · Regional School District 05 Naugatuck School District
High school in town None in town None in town Naugatuck High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
15.2
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.