Compare towns
Ridgefield vs Hamden vs Redding vs Ridgefield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ridgefield has the most kids (24.8% under 18).
Hamden has the most affordable homes ($298k median).
Redding has the oldest population (median age 52).
Ridgefield has the most expensive homes ($844k 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 | Ridgefield | Hamden | Redding | Ridgefield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 25,109 |
61,045Highest |
8,780 |
6,970Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | — | -0.6% CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 45.1±1.4 10% above CT |
38.7±0.9Lowest 6% below CT |
52±2Highest 27% above CT |
44.8±3.2 9% above CT |
| Kids under 18 | 24.8%±2.3Highest CT: 20.2% |
17%±1.5Lowest CT: 20.2% |
19.1%±2.8 CT: 20.2% |
20.9%±3.2 CT: 20.2% |
| Ridgefield and Ridgefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.7%±1.9 CT: 18.5% |
18.1%±1.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
26.4%±3.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
21.9%±3.2 CT: 18.5% |
| Redding and Ridgefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 72.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
47.8%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
72.1% CT: 42.5% |
68.9% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±1.4 CT: 7.1% |
15%±1.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.8%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
6.6%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $179,219±$12k 87% above CT |
$98,306±$7kLowest about the CT average |
$186,060±$15kHighest 94% above CT |
$148,279±$26k 55% above CT |
| Redding and Ridgefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $836,200±$26k 128% above CT |
$298,200±$9kLowest 19% below CT |
$706,300±$33k 93% above CT |
$843,600±$64kHighest 130% above CT |
| Ridgefield and Ridgefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,026±$200 36% above CT |
$1,746±$50Lowest 17% above CT |
$2,101±$304Highest 41% above CT |
$1,904±$274 28% above CT |
| Redding and Ridgefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$7,784Lowest 17% above CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.3%±12 CT: 52.6% |
50.9%±5.4 CT: 52.6% |
64.9%±19.3Highest CT: 52.6% |
35.7%±12.1Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Redding and Ridgefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.5% CT: 10% |
9.3%Highest CT: 10% |
4% CT: 10% |
2.5%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.5% CT: 66.5% |
62.4%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
91.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
71.9% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Highest 5 yrs newer than CT |
1964Lowest 3 yrs older than CT |
1972Highest 5 yrs newer than CT |
1972Highest 5 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 25% above CT |
22 minLowest 18% below CT |
36 minHighest 36% above CT |
31 min 18% above CT |
| Work from home | 29.7%±3.7 CT: 16% |
16.3%±2.1Lowest CT: 16% |
32.5%±4.9Highest CT: 16% |
24.2%±4.1 CT: 16% |
| Redding and Ridgefield 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 | #4 of 149 in CT | #122 of 149 in CT | #14 of 149 in CT | #4 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Ridgefield School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Area Cooperative Educational Services | Redding School District · Regional School District 09 | — |
| High school in town | Ridgefield High School | Hamden High School | Joel Barlow High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.4 |
13.5Highest |
11.1Lowest |
— |
| 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.