Compare towns
Washington vs Willimantic vs Bethlehem vs Warren
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).
Willimantic has the most affordable homes ($191k median).
Warren has the highest household income ($135k).
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 | Willimantic | Bethlehem | Warren |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,676 |
18,096Highest |
3,423 |
1,415Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +2.3% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 49.9±5.5 21% above CT |
31.3±2.7Lowest 24% below CT |
51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
52±5Highest 27% above CT |
| Warren and Bethlehem 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% |
20.6%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.3%±4 CT: 20.2% |
11.2%±3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Willimantic 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 CT: 18.5% |
11%±1.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±5.3 CT: 18.5% |
25.8%±6.3 CT: 18.5% |
| Washington and Warren 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% |
24.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
39.2% CT: 42.5% |
55.1%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.4%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
19.1%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±3.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
10.6%±9 CT: 7.1% |
| Willimantic and Warren 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 |
$45,962±$7kLowest 52% below CT |
$108,929±$16k 14% above CT |
$134,583±$33kHighest 41% above CT |
| Warren and Bethlehem 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 |
$190,900±$17kLowest 48% below CT |
$410,900±$36k 12% above CT |
$450,000±$38k 23% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,204±$264Highest 19% below CT |
$1,063±$68Lowest 29% 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 |
$4,678 30% below CT |
$5,932Highest 11% below CT |
$3,769Lowest 43% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.1%±24Lowest CT: 52.6% |
55.9%±8.1 CT: 52.6% |
69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
55.2%±63.8 CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Willimantic are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9% CT: 10% |
23.4%Highest CT: 10% |
10.4% CT: 10% |
6.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79% CT: 66.5% |
34.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
70.2% CT: 66.5% |
93.3%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 4 yrs newer than CT |
1953Lowest 14 yrs older than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1984Highest 17 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 4% below CT |
23 minLowest 12% below CT |
29 min 9% above CT |
31 minHighest 18% above CT |
| Work from home | 20.1%±9Highest CT: 16% |
6.2%±2Lowest CT: 16% |
13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
15.9%±2.7 CT: 16% |
| Washington and Warren 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 | — | #82 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | Regional School District 12 | — | Regional School District 14 | Regional School District 20 |
| 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 | 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.