Compare towns

Washington vs Winsted 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).
Winsted has the most affordable homes ($219k 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.

MeasureWashingtonWinstedBethlehem
People
Population
3,676
6,977Highest
3,423Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-6.7%
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
49.9±5.5
21% above CT
47.6±7.3Lowest
16% above 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%±4.7Highest
CT: 20.2%
14.4%±3.3Lowest
CT: 20.2%
16.3%±4
CT: 20.2%
Washington and Bethlehem 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%
25%±4.2
CT: 18.5%
24.5%±5.3Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Washington and Winsted 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%
26.8%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
39.2%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.4%±3.3Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.9%±2.4
CT: 7.1%
4.5%±3.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Washington and Winsted 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
$64,871±$12kLowest
32% below CT
$108,929±$16kHighest
14% above CT
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
80% above CT
$218,900±$14kLowest
40% below CT
$410,900±$36k
12% above CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,204±$264Highest
19% below CT
$1,183±$130
20% below CT
$1,127±$124Lowest
24% below CT
Washington and Winsted 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
$3,754Lowest
43% below CT
$5,932Highest
11% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.1%±24Lowest
CT: 52.6%
45.5%±16.7
CT: 52.6%
69.7%±38.5Highest
CT: 52.6%
Bethlehem and Winsted are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9%Lowest
CT: 10%
15.9%Highest
CT: 10%
10.4%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%Highest
CT: 66.5%
54.7%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
70.2%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
1942Lowest
25 yrs older than CT
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 min
4% below CT
25 minLowest
5% below CT
29 minHighest
9% above CT
Work from home
20.1%±9Highest
CT: 16%
7.7%±3.5Lowest
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 — #82 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 12 — Regional School District 14
High school in town Shepaug Valley School — None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.1
— —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.