Compare towns

Prospect vs Colebrook vs Bethany

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).
Colebrook has the oldest population (median age 52.1).
Bethany has the highest household income ($166k).

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.

MeasureProspectColebrookBethany
People
Population
9,458Highest
1,494Lowest
5,288
Median age
46.8±3.9
14% above CT
52.1±5Highest
27% above CT
42.5±2.9Lowest
3% above CT
Colebrook and Prospect 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%
17.9%±3.9Lowest
CT: 20.2%
20.3%±5.9
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%±4.3
CT: 18.5%
26%±4.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
17.2%±4.2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Colebrook and Prospect 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%
36.6%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
58%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.8Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
6.8%±3.7Highest
CT: 7.1%
Bethany and Colebrook 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
$111,250±$17kLowest
16% above CT
$166,236±$20kHighest
74% above CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$355,400±$21k
3% below CT
$342,800±$19kLowest
7% below CT
$418,000±$42kHighest
14% above 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
$1,333±$626Lowest
10% below CT
—
Prospect and Colebrook 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
$6,211Lowest
7% below CT
$8,313Highest
25% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.3%±31.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
42.1%±55
CT: 52.6%
0%±100Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Prospect and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.2%
CT: 10%
8.3%Highest
CT: 10%
2.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.5%
CT: 66.5%
91.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
97.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974Highest
7 yrs newer than CT
1960Lowest
7 yrs older than CT
1970
3 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
4% above CT
34 minHighest
29% above CT
32 min
21% above CT
Work from home
10.1%±3.2
CT: 16%
7%±3.8Lowest
CT: 16%
12%±5.2Highest
CT: 16%
Bethany and Prospect 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
School district Regional School District 16 Colebrook School District Bethany School District · Regional School District 05
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.