Compare towns
Washington vs Sterling vs Killingly 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).
Sterling has the most kids (22.8% under 18).
Killingly has the oldest housing (typical home built 1968).
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 | Sterling | Killingly | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,676 |
3,629 |
17,867Highest |
3,423Lowest |
| Median age | 49.9±5.5 21% above CT |
39.4±5.9Lowest 4% below CT |
39.5±3 4% below CT |
51.5±8.5Highest 25% 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% |
22.8%±5.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
19.8%±2.3 CT: 20.2% |
16.3%±4Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Sterling and Killingly 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% |
13%±3.8Lowest CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±2.4 CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±5.3 CT: 18.5% |
| 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 CT: 42.5% |
18%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
22.9% CT: 42.5% |
39.2% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.4%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.7%±1.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
| Washington and Killingly 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 |
$102,695±$12k 7% above CT |
$84,350±$8kLowest 12% below CT |
$108,929±$16kHighest 14% above CT |
| Bethlehem and Sterling 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 |
$283,400±$17kLowest 23% below CT |
$288,600±$15k 21% below CT |
$410,900±$36k 12% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,204±$264Highest 19% below CT |
— | $1,044±$141Lowest 30% below CT |
$1,127±$124 24% below CT |
| 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 29% below CT |
$4,551 31% below CT |
$3,922Lowest 41% below CT |
$5,932Highest 11% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.1%±24Lowest CT: 52.6% |
32%±18.1 CT: 52.6% |
42.8%±10.9 CT: 52.6% |
69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9% CT: 10% |
8.3%Lowest CT: 10% |
11.4%Highest CT: 10% |
10.4% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79% CT: 66.5% |
81.1%Highest CT: 66.5% |
71.6% CT: 66.5% |
70.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 4 yrs newer than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1968Lowest 1 yr newer than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 4% below CT |
35 minHighest 34% above CT |
28 min 5% above CT |
29 min 9% above CT |
| Work from home | 20.1%±9Highest CT: 16% |
11.6%±6.4 CT: 16% |
11.1%±2.3Lowest CT: 16% |
13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
| 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 | #119 of 149 in CT | #136 of 149 in CT | #82 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 12 | Sterling School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | Regional School District 14 |
| High school in town | Shepaug Valley School | None in town | Killingly High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.1Lowest |
— | 11.1Highest |
— |
| 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.