Compare towns
Washington vs Hardwick vs Bethlehem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k median).
Hardwick has the most affordable homes ($347k median).
Bethlehem has the highest household income ($109k).
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 | Hardwick | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,676Highest |
2,684Lowest |
3,423 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -10.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
— |
| Median age | 49.9±5.5 28% above U.S. |
45.3±9.8Lowest 16% above U.S. |
51.5±8.5Highest 32% above U.S. |
| Bethlehem and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19%±4.7 U.S.: 22% |
20.5%±5.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.3%±4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Hardwick and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.9%±5.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.7%±5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
24.5%±5.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Washington and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 53.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
30.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
39.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.4%±3.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.2%±4.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.5%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Washington and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $101,549±$16k 26% above U.S. |
$75,000±$22kLowest 7% below U.S. |
$108,929±$16kHighest 35% above U.S. |
| Bethlehem and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $660,200±$130kHighest 98% above U.S. |
$346,700±$67kLowest 4% above U.S. |
$410,900±$36k 24% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,204±$264Highest 15% below U.S. |
$1,108±$119Lowest 22% below U.S. |
$1,127±$124 20% below U.S. |
| Washington and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,709 51% above U.S. |
$4,400Lowest 41% above U.S. |
$5,932Highest 90% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.1%±24Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
59%±13.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
69.7%±38.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Bethlehem and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
11%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
10.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
68.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
70.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1968Lowest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
1976Highest 4 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 3% below U.S. |
31 minHighest 18% above U.S. |
29 min 10% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 20.1%±9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
8.7%±4.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.9%±5 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Washington and Bethlehem 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 | #163 of 282 in MA | #82 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 12 | Quabbin | 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 |
U.S. 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.