Compare towns
Washington vs Northbridge vs Chester
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).
Northbridge has the youngest population (median age 43.8).
Chester has the oldest population (median age 54).
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 | Northbridge | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,676Lowest |
16,458Highest |
3,825 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +4% U.S.: +7.4% |
— |
| Median age | 49.9±5.5 28% above U.S. |
43.8±2.6Lowest 13% above U.S. |
54±3.4Highest 39% above U.S. |
| Chester 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% |
21.1%±2.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
17.5%±4.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Northbridge 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% |
16.4%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.8%±4 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Washington and Chester 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% |
36.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
47.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.4%±3.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±1.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
4%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Washington and Northbridge 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 26% above U.S. |
$111,319±$19kHighest 38% above U.S. |
$109,191±$18k 35% above U.S. |
| Northbridge and Chester 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. |
$448,600±$15k 35% above U.S. |
$442,200±$25kLowest 33% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,204±$264Lowest 15% below U.S. |
$1,207±$102 15% below U.S. |
$1,549±$247Highest 10% above U.S. |
| Chester and Northbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,709Lowest 51% above U.S. |
$4,821 55% above U.S. |
$6,364Highest 104% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.1%±24Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
51.2%±9.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
57.4%±22.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Chester and Northbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9% U.S.: 12.5% |
7.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
11.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
70.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
73.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1973Highest 7 yrs older than U.S. |
1969Lowest 11 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 3% below U.S. |
31 minHighest 17% above U.S. |
28 min 7% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 20.1%±9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.2%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.3%±5.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Washington and Chester 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 | #226 of 282 in MA | #8 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 12 | Northbridge | Chester School District |
| High school in town | Shepaug Valley School | Northbridge High | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.1Lowest |
10.8Highest |
— |
| 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.