Compare towns

Washington vs Deep River vs New Preston

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k median).
Deep River has the most affordable homes ($362k median).
New Preston has the most people working from home (32.3%).

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.

MeasureWashingtonDeep RiverNew Preston
People
Population
3,676
4,458Highest
1,146Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
-4.7%
CT: +0.9%
Median age
49.9±5.5
21% above CT
46.2±5.6Lowest
12% above CT
51.8±12.8Highest
26% above CT
New Preston and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19%±4.7Highest
CT: 20.2%
16.6%±4.7Lowest
CT: 20.2%
16.9%±7
CT: 20.2%
Washington and New Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.9%±5.3
CT: 18.5%
22.1%±4.1Lowest
CT: 18.5%
31.3%±5.5Highest
CT: 18.5%
New Preston and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53.7%
CT: 42.5%
44.6%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
57.8%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.4%±3.3Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.8%±2.2Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.8%±4.7
CT: 7.1%
Washington and New Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$101,549±$16kHighest
6% above CT
$90,253±$19k
6% below CT
$76,406±$28kLowest
20% below CT
Washington and Deep River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$660,200±$130kHighest
80% above CT
$362,200±$26kLowest
about the CT average
$452,600±$43k
23% above CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,204±$264Lowest
19% below CT
$1,221±$185Highest
18% below CT
—
Deep River and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,709
29% below CT
$6,092Highest
8% below CT
$3,528Lowest
47% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.1%±24
CT: 52.6%
58.2%±22.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
7.4%±89.8Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Deep River and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9%
CT: 10%
8.2%Lowest
CT: 10%
15.8%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%
CT: 66.5%
69.2%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
85.1%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
1974Highest
7 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 min
4% below CT
24 minLowest
9% below CT
29 minHighest
8% above CT
Work from home
20.1%±9
CT: 16%
15.2%±5.6Lowest
CT: 16%
32.3%±28Highest
CT: 16%
New Preston and Washington 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 #17 of 149 in CT #70 of 149 in CT —
School district Regional School District 12 Deep River School District · Regional School District 04 —
High school in town Shepaug Valley School Valley Regional High School —
Students per teacherat that high school
9.1Lowest
9.3Highest
—
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.