Compare towns

Stepney vs Middlebury vs Bethany

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Stepney has the oldest population (median age 47.1).
Middlebury has the most people working from home (15.3%).
Bethany has the most affordable homes ($418k 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.

MeasureStepneyMiddleburyBethany
People
Population
3,979Lowest
7,807Highest
5,288
Median age
47.1±5.6Highest
15% above CT
44.4±2.3
8% above CT
42.5±2.9Lowest
3% above CT
Stepney and Middlebury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.1%±5.6
CT: 20.2%
22%±3.8Highest
CT: 20.2%
20.3%±5.9Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Middlebury and Stepney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.7%±4.1
CT: 18.5%
22.7%±4.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
17.2%±4.2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Middlebury and Stepney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
54.2%
CT: 42.5%
53.3%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
58%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
10.1%±5.4Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.8%±2.8Lowest
CT: 7.1%
6.8%±3.7
CT: 7.1%
Stepney and Bethany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$153,966±$16k
61% above CT
$133,487±$26kLowest
39% above CT
$166,236±$20kHighest
74% above CT
Bethany and Stepney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$475,800±$53k
30% above CT
$476,400±$23kHighest
30% above CT
$418,000±$42kLowest
14% above CT
Middlebury and Stepney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,750±$1kHighest
85% above CT
$398±$387Lowest
73% below CT
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$9,309Highest
40% above CT
$8,434
27% above CT
$8,313Lowest
25% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
63.2%±48.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
12.7%±6.9
CT: 52.6%
0%±100Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Stepney and Middlebury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
0.8%Lowest
CT: 10%
5.8%Highest
CT: 10%
2.3%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
96.4%
CT: 66.5%
87.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
97.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
1970Lowest
3 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
37 minHighest
41% above CT
25 minLowest
5% below CT
32 min
21% above CT
Work from home
9.8%±4.3Lowest
CT: 16%
15.3%±3.2Highest
CT: 16%
12%±5.2
CT: 16%
Middlebury 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 — #55 of 149 in CT #30 of 149 in CT
School district — Regional School District 15 Bethany School District · Regional School District 05
High school 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.