Compare towns
Vernon vs Durham vs Middletown
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Vernon has the most affordable homes ($276k median).
Durham has the highest household income ($159k).
Middletown has the youngest population (median age 38.1).
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 | Vernon | Durham | Middletown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 30,577 |
7,208Lowest |
47,958Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | +0.1% CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 39.4±2.5 4% below CT |
45.5±2.8Highest 11% above CT |
38.1±1.5Lowest 7% below CT |
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±2Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.4%±3.6 CT: 20.2% |
14.3%±1.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Vernon and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.6%±1.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
17.4%±3.7 CT: 18.5% |
16.5%±1.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Vernon and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
47.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
40.2% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.8%±1.2 CT: 7.1% |
3.6%±1.5Lowest CT: 7.1% |
15.5%±1.4Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $85,356±$6k 11% below CT |
$158,857±$7kHighest 66% above CT |
$79,438±$6kLowest 17% below CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $275,500±$11kLowest 25% below CT |
$424,800±$23kHighest 16% above CT |
$295,300±$11k 20% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,425±$77 4% below CT |
$1,154±$448Lowest 22% below CT |
$1,446±$45Highest about the CT average |
| Middletown and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,804Lowest 13% below CT |
$7,998Highest 20% above CT |
$6,412 3% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 39.3%±5.7Lowest CT: 52.6% |
44.9%±28.4 CT: 52.6% |
47.7%±5.3Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Middletown and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 13.4%Highest CT: 10% |
3.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
12% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 53.2% CT: 66.5% |
93.2%Highest CT: 66.5% |
52.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Lowest 1 yr newer than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1972 5 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minHighest about the CT average |
23 minLowest 13% below CT |
23 min 12% below CT |
| Work from home | 13.4%±2.5Lowest CT: 16% |
20.5%±6.4Highest CT: 16% |
14.1%±1.8 CT: 16% |
| Durham and Middletown 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 | #107 of 149 in CT | #88 of 149 in CT | #121 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Vernon School District | Regional School District 13 | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services |
| High school in town | Rockville High School | Coginchaug Regional High School | Middletown High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.1Highest |
8.9Lowest |
11.8 |
| 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.