Compare towns
Washington vs Essex vs Bethlehem
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).
Essex has the oldest population (median age 52.4).
Bethlehem has the most affordable homes ($411k 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.
| Measure | Washington | Essex | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,676 |
6,794Highest |
3,423Lowest |
| Median age | 49.9±5.5Lowest 21% above CT |
52.4±3.6Highest 27% above CT |
51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
| Essex and Bethlehem 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% |
16.2%±3.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
16.3%±4 CT: 20.2% |
| Washington and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.9%±5.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
26.4%±3.8 CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±5.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Washington and Essex 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% |
54.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
39.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.4%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
8.7%±3.7Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±3.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Essex and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $101,549±$16kLowest 6% above CT |
$104,395±$7k 9% above CT |
$108,929±$16kHighest 14% above CT |
| Bethlehem and Essex 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 |
$552,000±$53k 50% above CT |
$410,900±$36kLowest 12% above CT |
| Washington and Essex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,204±$264 19% below CT |
$1,623±$326Highest 9% above CT |
$1,127±$124Lowest 24% below CT |
| Essex and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,709Lowest 29% below CT |
$5,678 15% below CT |
$5,932Highest 11% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.1%±24Lowest CT: 52.6% |
38.5%±9.7 CT: 52.6% |
69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Essex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9% CT: 10% |
3.2%Lowest CT: 10% |
10.4%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79%Highest CT: 66.5% |
78.1% CT: 66.5% |
70.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971Lowest 4 yrs newer than CT |
1971Lowest 4 yrs newer than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 4% below CT |
27 min 3% above CT |
29 minHighest 9% above CT |
| Work from home | 20.1%±9Highest CT: 16% |
19.4%±4.6 CT: 16% |
13.9%±5Lowest CT: 16% |
| Washington and Essex 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 | #33 of 149 in CT | #82 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 12 | Essex School District | Regional School District 14 |
| High school in town | Shepaug Valley School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.1 |
— | — |
| 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.