Compare towns
Vernon vs Middletown vs Bolton
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).
Middletown has the shortest commute (23 min average).
Bolton has the most homeowners (88%).
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 | Middletown | Bolton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 30,577 |
47,958Highest |
4,853Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +0.1% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 39.4±2.5 4% below CT |
38.1±1.5Lowest 7% below CT |
43.7±3.3Highest 6% above CT |
| Bolton and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±2 CT: 20.2% |
14.3%±1.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
20%±3.6Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Bolton and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.6%±1.7 CT: 18.5% |
16.5%±1.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±3.4Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Bolton and Vernon 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% |
40.2% CT: 42.5% |
51.3%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.8%±1.2 CT: 7.1% |
15.5%±1.4Highest CT: 7.1% |
7.7%±2.6Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $85,356±$6k 11% below CT |
$79,438±$6kLowest 17% below CT |
$126,364±$19kHighest 32% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $275,500±$11kLowest 25% below CT |
$295,300±$11k 20% below CT |
$367,600±$17kHighest about the CT average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,425±$77 4% below CT |
$1,446±$45Highest about the CT average |
$1,127±$55Lowest 24% below CT |
| 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 |
$6,412 3% below CT |
$8,091Highest 22% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 39.3%±5.7Lowest CT: 52.6% |
47.7%±5.3Highest CT: 52.6% |
39.8%±30.8 CT: 52.6% |
| Middletown and Bolton 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% |
12% CT: 10% |
7.2%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 53.2% CT: 66.5% |
52.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
88%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Lowest 1 yr newer than CT |
1972Highest 5 yrs newer than CT |
1969 2 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minHighest about the CT average |
23 minLowest 12% below CT |
25 min 6% below CT |
| Work from home | 13.4%±2.5Lowest CT: 16% |
14.1%±1.8 CT: 16% |
20.7%±4.6Highest CT: 16% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #107 of 149 in CT | #121 of 149 in CT | #79 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Vernon School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services | Bolton School District |
| High school in town | Rockville High School | Middletown High School | Bolton High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.1Highest |
11.8 |
7.4Lowest |
| 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.