Bethel, CT

Connecticut · Metropolitan Area

Bethel is a small city in Connecticut with a population of 11,606. Residents earn $88,344 per year, which is 18% above the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
11,606 Population 1,884/sq mi density
$88,344 Median Income $50,401 per capita
$377,500 Home Value $542,130 Zillow
$1,471 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$88,344 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$377,500 home value, $1,471/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
A
Education
4.1 / 5.0
38.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $88,344
18% higher than US avg
Home Value $377,500
34% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 38.4%
14% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,471
26% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.1%
22% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.6%
79% lower than US avg

How Bethel Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population11,606
Median Age40.9 yrs
Density1,884/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 62%

Economy

A+
Median Income$88,344
Per Capita$50,401
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty2.6%
County GDP$76,344M
Commute31 min

Housing

A
Home Value$377,500
Rent$1,471
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$542,130

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property844/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary113/100K

Health

Obesity25.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.7%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain53.0 in/yr
Elevation585 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+38.4%
High School+89.0%
School Score6.10

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 59%
Commute31 min
EV Stations3
Libraries29

Is Bethel a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bethel receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Bethel offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bethel is $88,344, 18% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. Only 2.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bethel is $377,500, 34% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,471 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Bethel is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 844 per 100,000, 57% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 38.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 89.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Bethel experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.0 inches, including 49.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Bethel has a population of 11,606 with a density of 1,884 people per square mile. The median age is 40.9 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (61.7%), with 10.1% Black.

Population

11,606
Total Population
1,884
People / sq mi
40.9yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
6.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.3%
Female 50.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Bethel vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only71.5%
9% below US avg
Spanish28.5%
113% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Bethel vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bethel is $88,344, which is 18% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Bethel vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$88,344
18% above US avg
Per Capita Income$50,401
Avg Weekly Wage$2,482
IRS Avg AGI$242,927

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.6%
79% below US avg
Establishments (County)33,324
County GDP$76,344M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,808
Healthcare2,172
Retail2,360
Manufacturing493

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$15,715
349% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.16%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.4 min
Work from Home12.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Bethel is $377,500, 34% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,471 (26% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $542,130.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$377,500
34% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$542,130
Median List Price$579,999

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$579,999
$/Sq Ft$275
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops9.1%
Inventory22

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,471
26% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,351
1 Bedroom$1,590
2 Bedrooms$1,955
3 Bedrooms$2,415
4 Bedrooms$2,824

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$15,715
349% above US avg
Effective Rate4.16%
In Bethel, 25.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 19.7% report depression. 23.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bethel vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.1%
22% below US avg
Diabetes7.6%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure25.8%
Asthma10.4%
COPD4.9%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.6%
Physical Inactivity23.6%
Depression19.7%
Mental Distress16.4%
Physical Distress11.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.1%
Checkup Rate75.5%

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access96.0%
Healthcare Facilities2,172
Bethel has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 844 per 100,000 (57% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Bethel vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property844.3/100K
57% below US avg
Burglary113.3/100K
Theft695.0/100K
Vehicle Theft36.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Bethel has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 53.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.4°F
5% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall53.0 inches
40% above US avg
Snowfall49.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation585 ft (178 m)
Area6.2 sq mi (16.0 km²)
Population Density1,884/sq mi
Coordinates41.3603°N, 73.4139°W
County FIPS09190
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 38.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (14% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 19.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 39.7%
D 58.8%

Winner: Democrat by 19.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+38.4%
14% above US avg
High School+89.0%
School Test Score6.10
A Education Grade (4.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,884/sq mi
Total Area6.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries29
Healthcare Facilities2,172
Restaurants1,808
Retail Stores2,360

Safety & Disasters

C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.4 min
Work from Home12.0%

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