Compare towns
Washington vs Pomfret vs Bethlehem vs Norfolk
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).
Pomfret has the most kids (23.1% under 18).
Bethlehem has the most renters (29.8% rent).
Norfolk has the most people working from home (23.3%).
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.
| Measure | Washington | Pomfret | Bethlehem | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,676 |
4,317Highest |
3,423 |
1,723Lowest |
| Median age | 49.9±5.5 21% above CT |
45.9±3.7Lowest 12% above CT |
51.5±8.5Highest 25% above CT |
48.2±7.4 17% above CT |
| 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 CT: 20.2% |
23.1%±4.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.3%±4 CT: 20.2% |
15.8%±4.8Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Pomfret and Washington 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% |
17.8%±4.5Lowest CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±5.3 CT: 18.5% |
28.8%±3.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Norfolk 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%Highest CT: 42.5% |
50.8% CT: 42.5% |
39.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
48.6% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.4%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
2.1%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Washington and Pomfret 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 6% above CT |
$108,476±$8k 13% above CT |
$108,929±$16kHighest 14% above CT |
$91,548±$16kLowest 4% below CT |
| Bethlehem and Pomfret 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 |
$409,100±$28kLowest 12% above CT |
$410,900±$36k 12% above CT |
$430,900±$54k 17% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,204±$264 19% below CT |
$1,210±$300Highest 19% below CT |
$1,127±$124Lowest 24% below CT |
$1,190±$116 20% below CT |
| Pomfret 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 |
$5,903 11% below CT |
$5,932 11% below CT |
$6,065Highest 9% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.1%±24Lowest CT: 52.6% |
61.9%±15.3 CT: 52.6% |
69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
27.3%±17 CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Pomfret are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9% CT: 10% |
6%Lowest CT: 10% |
10.4%Highest CT: 10% |
7.5% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79% CT: 66.5% |
80.5% CT: 66.5% |
70.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
81.1%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 4 yrs newer than CT |
1978Highest 11 yrs newer than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1938Lowest 29 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 4% below CT |
24 minLowest 11% below CT |
29 minHighest 9% above CT |
27 min 3% above CT |
| Work from home | 20.1%±9 CT: 16% |
13.2%±5.2Lowest CT: 16% |
13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
23.3%±4.7Highest CT: 16% |
| Norfolk 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 | #39 of 149 in CT | #82 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | Regional School District 12 | Pomfret School District | Regional School District 14 | Norfolk School District |
| High school in town | Shepaug Valley School | None in town | 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 | 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.