Compare towns
Saugatuck vs Compo vs Norwalk vs Bridgewater
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Saugatuck has the most expensive homes ($1756k median).
Compo has the most kids (25.4% under 18).
Norwalk has the most renters (44.4% rent).
Bridgewater has the oldest population (median age 55.9).
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 | Saugatuck | Compo | Norwalk | Bridgewater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,925 |
3,410 |
92,187Highest |
1,658Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | +6.5% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 50.7±7.6 23% above CT |
46.3±7.7 13% above CT |
40.6±1Lowest about the CT average |
55.9±4.4Highest 36% above CT |
| Bridgewater and Saugatuck are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.4%±5 CT: 20.2% |
25.4%±6.3Highest CT: 20.2% |
18.8%±1.2 CT: 20.2% |
14.4%±2.9Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Compo and Saugatuck are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.7%±5.1 CT: 18.5% |
19.9%±3.6 CT: 18.5% |
17%±1Lowest CT: 18.5% |
37%±6.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 74.6% CT: 42.5% |
81.5%Highest CT: 42.5% |
44.8%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
59.3% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.7Lowest CT: 7.1% |
2.6%±1.5 CT: 7.1% |
6.7%±0.8 CT: 7.1% |
6.8%±5.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Bridgewater and Norwalk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $250,001Highest 161% above CT |
$250,001Highest 161% above CT |
$107,616±$7kLowest 12% above CT |
$159,365±$5k 66% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,756,400±$353kHighest 379% above CT |
$1,522,500±$304k 315% above CT |
$558,000±$21kLowest 52% above CT |
$693,000±$75k 89% above CT |
| Saugatuck and Compo are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,213±$219Highest 49% above CT |
— | $2,073±$87 39% above CT |
$1,467±$233Lowest about the CT average |
| Saugatuck and Norwalk 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 |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$7,817 18% above CT |
$6,869Lowest 3% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45%±21.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
71.6%±43.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
52.1%±5.2 CT: 52.6% |
47.8%±43 CT: 52.6% |
| Compo and Norwalk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.4% CT: 10% |
1.8%Lowest CT: 10% |
9.1%Highest CT: 10% |
3% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.5% CT: 66.5% |
89.7% CT: 66.5% |
55.6%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
92.1%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1970 3 yrs newer than CT |
1970 3 yrs newer than CT |
1967Lowest same as CT |
1975Highest 8 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 47 minHighest 78% above CT |
35 min 33% above CT |
27 minLowest about the CT average |
29 min 11% above CT |
| Work from home | 42.7%±12.1Highest CT: 16% |
38.1%±8.3 CT: 16% |
15.1%±1.4Lowest CT: 16% |
25.2%±5 CT: 16% |
| Saugatuck and Compo 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 | — | — | #112 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | — | — | Norwalk School District | Regional School District 12 |
| High school in town | — | — | Brien McMahon High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 14.7 |
— |
| 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.