Best places to raise a family in Connecticut
Written by:
April 20, 2021
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Best places to raise a family in Connecticut
Choosing a place to raise children can be a daunting task for any family. If it takes a village to raise a child, that may just extend all the way to your next-door neighbor, fifth-grade teacher, or volunteer soccer coach. While all parents are looking for a great place to raise their kids, oftentimes this decision means balancing—and prioritizing—certain community resources and costs.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to raise a family in Connecticut using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Keep reading to see if where you grew up or currently live made the list.
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#25. Orange
- Population: 13,934
- Median home value: $389,900 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,648 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $121,308
- Top public schools: Amity Regional High School (A+), Amity Middle School: Orange (A), Peck Place School (A)
- Top private schools: Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy (unavailable), The Foundation School Lower & Middle School (unavailable), Bright Horizons at Orange (unavailable)
- Pictured: 187 Sunrise Hill Cir Unit 187, Orange ($849,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $389,900 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,648 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $121,308
- Top public schools: Amity Regional High School (A+), Amity Middle School: Orange (A), Peck Place School (A)
- Top private schools: Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy (unavailable), The Foundation School Lower & Middle School (unavailable), Bright Horizons at Orange (unavailable)
- Pictured: 187 Sunrise Hill Cir Unit 187, Orange ($849,900, 4 bedrooms)
#24. Glenville
- Population: 2,538
- Median home value: $794,800 (67% own)
- Median rent: $2,030 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $155,200
- Top public schools: Greenwich High School (A+), Blind Brook High School (A+), Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School (A)
- Pictured: 273 and 277 Pemberwick Rd, Greenwich ($995,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $794,800 (67% own)
- Median rent: $2,030 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $155,200
- Top public schools: Greenwich High School (A+), Blind Brook High School (A+), Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School (A)
- Pictured: 273 and 277 Pemberwick Rd, Greenwich ($995,000, 3 bedrooms)
#23. Glastonbury Center
- Population: 7,929
- Median home value: $299,100 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,250 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $87,146
- Top public schools: Glastonbury High School (A+), Hebron Avenue School (A), Gideon Welles School (A)
- Top private schools: Glastonbury KinderCare (unavailable)
- Pictured: 122 Griswold St, Glastonbury ($419,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $299,100 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,250 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $87,146
- Top public schools: Glastonbury High School (A+), Hebron Avenue School (A), Gideon Welles School (A)
- Top private schools: Glastonbury KinderCare (unavailable)
- Pictured: 122 Griswold St, Glastonbury ($419,900, 3 bedrooms)
#22. Fairfield
- Population: 61,740
- Median home value: $611,500 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,886 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $139,122
- Top public schools: Fairfield Warde High School (A+), Fairfield Ludlowe High School (A), Dwight Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Fairfield College Preparatory School (A+), Notre Dame High School (A-), St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School (A)
- Pictured: 1099 Pequot Ave, Fairfield ($14.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $611,500 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,886 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $139,122
- Top public schools: Fairfield Warde High School (A+), Fairfield Ludlowe High School (A), Dwight Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Fairfield College Preparatory School (A+), Notre Dame High School (A-), St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School (A)
- Pictured: 1099 Pequot Ave, Fairfield ($14.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
#21. Woodbridge
- Population: 8,827
- Median home value: $464,400 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,375 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $157,610
- Top public schools: Amity Regional High School (A+), Amity Middle School: Bethany (A+), Beecher Road School (A)
- Top private schools: Ezra Academy (unavailable), Children's House of Montessori (unavailable), Yeladim Early Learning Center (unavailable)
- Pictured: Peck Hill Rd Unit 4, Woodbridge ($1.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $464,400 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,375 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $157,610
- Top public schools: Amity Regional High School (A+), Amity Middle School: Bethany (A+), Beecher Road School (A)
- Top private schools: Ezra Academy (unavailable), Children's House of Montessori (unavailable), Yeladim Early Learning Center (unavailable)
- Pictured: Peck Hill Rd Unit 4, Woodbridge ($1.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#20. West Simsbury
- Population: 2,764
- Median home value: $363,200 (88% own)
- Median rent: $2,107 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $124,570
- Top public schools: Simsbury High School (A+), Henry James Memorial School (A), Squadron Line School (A)
- Top private schools: The Master's School (A)
- Pictured: 6 Shady Ln, Simsbury ($380,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $363,200 (88% own)
- Median rent: $2,107 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $124,570
- Top public schools: Simsbury High School (A+), Henry James Memorial School (A), Squadron Line School (A)
- Top private schools: The Master's School (A)
- Pictured: 6 Shady Ln, Simsbury ($380,000, 3 bedrooms)
#19. Madison
- Population: 18,113
- Median home value: $428,600 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,478 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $113,798
- Top public schools: Daniel Hand High School (A+), Haddam Elementary School (A), Kathleen H. Ryerson Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: The Country School (A+), Our Lady of Mercy Preparatory Academy (unavailable), Grove School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 27 Middle Beach Rd, Madison ($2.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $428,600 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,478 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $113,798
- Top public schools: Daniel Hand High School (A+), Haddam Elementary School (A), Kathleen H. Ryerson Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: The Country School (A+), Our Lady of Mercy Preparatory Academy (unavailable), Grove School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 27 Middle Beach Rd, Madison ($2.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
#18. Easton
- Population: 7,543
- Median home value: $641,500 (93% own)
- Median rent: $1,813 (7% rent)
- Median household income: $157,448
- Top public schools: Joel Barlow High School (A+), Helen Keller Middle School (A), Samuel Staples Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Easton Country Day School (B+)
- Pictured: 125 Judd Rd, Easton ($1.7 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $641,500 (93% own)
- Median rent: $1,813 (7% rent)
- Median household income: $157,448
- Top public schools: Joel Barlow High School (A+), Helen Keller Middle School (A), Samuel Staples Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Easton Country Day School (B+)
- Pictured: 125 Judd Rd, Easton ($1.7 million, 5 bedrooms)
#17. Farmington
- Population: 25,528
- Median home value: $332,000 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,386 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $93,053
- Top public schools: Farmington High School (A+), Noah Wallace School (A), East Farms School (A)
- Top private schools: Miss Porter's School (A+), Farmington KinderCare - Connecticut (unavailable), Joni's Child Care & Preschool - Farmington (unavailable)
- Pictured: 184 Talcott Notch Rd, Farmington ($1.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $332,000 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,386 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $93,053
- Top public schools: Farmington High School (A+), Noah Wallace School (A), East Farms School (A)
- Top private schools: Miss Porter's School (A+), Farmington KinderCare - Connecticut (unavailable), Joni's Child Care & Preschool - Farmington (unavailable)
- Pictured: 184 Talcott Notch Rd, Farmington ($1.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
#16. Southport
- Population: 1,661
- Median home value: $703,200 (77% own)
- Median rent: $2,208 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $187,917
- Top public schools: Fairfield Ludlowe High School (A), Roger Ludlowe Middle School (A), Mill Hill School (A)
- Top private schools: The Southport School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1227 Pequot Ave, Fairfield ($9.9 million, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $703,200 (77% own)
- Median rent: $2,208 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $187,917
- Top public schools: Fairfield Ludlowe High School (A), Roger Ludlowe Middle School (A), Mill Hill School (A)
- Top private schools: The Southport School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1227 Pequot Ave, Fairfield ($9.9 million, 9 bedrooms)
#15. Glastonbury
- Population: 34,564
- Median home value: $348,000 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,359 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $120,837
- Top public schools: Glastonbury High School (A+), Hebron Avenue School (A), Gideon Welles School (A)
- Top private schools: Shirley Reaback Early Childhood Center (unavailable), Bright Horizons at Village Place (unavailable), Glastonbury KinderCare (unavailable)
- Pictured: 24 Crystal Ridge Dr, Glastonbury ($2.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $348,000 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,359 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $120,837
- Top public schools: Glastonbury High School (A+), Hebron Avenue School (A), Gideon Welles School (A)
- Top private schools: Shirley Reaback Early Childhood Center (unavailable), Bright Horizons at Village Place (unavailable), Glastonbury KinderCare (unavailable)
- Pictured: 24 Crystal Ridge Dr, Glastonbury ($2.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
#14. Wilton
- Population: 18,463
- Median home value: $793,200 (86% own)
- Median rent: $2,335 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $193,292
- Top public schools: Wilton High School (A+), Middlebrook School (A), Cider Mill School (A)
- Top private schools: The Montessori School (A+), Our Lady of Fatima School (unavailable), Connecticut Friends School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 66 Drum Hill Rd, Wilton ($2.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $793,200 (86% own)
- Median rent: $2,335 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $193,292
- Top public schools: Wilton High School (A+), Middlebrook School (A), Cider Mill School (A)
- Top private schools: The Montessori School (A+), Our Lady of Fatima School (unavailable), Connecticut Friends School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 66 Drum Hill Rd, Wilton ($2.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
#13. Darien
- Population: 21,742
- Median home value: $1,471,700 (87% own)
- Median rent: $2,469 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $232,523
- Top public schools: Darien High School (A+), Middlesex Middle School (A+), Tokeneke Elementary School (A)
- Pictured: 350-362 Mansfield, Darien ($7.0 million, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,471,700 (87% own)
- Median rent: $2,469 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $232,523
- Top public schools: Darien High School (A+), Middlesex Middle School (A+), Tokeneke Elementary School (A)
- Pictured: 350-362 Mansfield, Darien ($7.0 million, 9 bedrooms)
#12. Weston
- Population: 10,287
- Median home value: $868,200 (96% own)
- Median rent: $2,724 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $222,535
- Top public schools: Weston High School (A+), Weston Middle School (A), Weston Intermediate School (A)
- Pictured: 21 Twin Oak Ln, Weston ($2.9 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $868,200 (96% own)
- Median rent: $2,724 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $222,535
- Top public schools: Weston High School (A+), Weston Middle School (A), Weston Intermediate School (A)
- Pictured: 21 Twin Oak Ln, Weston ($2.9 million, 6 bedrooms)
#11. Greenwich
- Population: 62,587
- Median home value: $1,251,200 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,910 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $152,577
- Top public schools: Greenwich High School (A+), Blind Brook High School (A+), H.C. Crittenden Middle School (A+)
- Top private schools: Greenwich Academy (A+), Brunswick School (A+), Sacred Heart Greenwich (A+)
- Pictured: 100 Field Point Cir, Greenwich ($55.0 million, 8 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,251,200 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,910 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $152,577
- Top public schools: Greenwich High School (A+), Blind Brook High School (A+), H.C. Crittenden Middle School (A+)
- Top private schools: Greenwich Academy (A+), Brunswick School (A+), Sacred Heart Greenwich (A+)
- Pictured: 100 Field Point Cir, Greenwich ($55.0 million, 8 bedrooms)
#10. Simsbury
- Population: 24,799
- Median home value: $332,800 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,396 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $123,905
- Top public schools: Simsbury High School (A+), Henry James Memorial School (A), Canton High School (A)
- Top private schools: Westminster School (A+), The Ethel Walker School (A+), The Master's School (A)
- Pictured: 9 Aspenwood Dr, Simsbury ($799,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $332,800 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,396 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $123,905
- Top public schools: Simsbury High School (A+), Henry James Memorial School (A), Canton High School (A)
- Top private schools: Westminster School (A+), The Ethel Walker School (A+), The Master's School (A)
- Pictured: 9 Aspenwood Dr, Simsbury ($799,900, 4 bedrooms)
#9. Cos Cob
- Population: 6,990
- Median home value: $1,055,400 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,979 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $149,375
- Top public schools: Greenwich High School (A+), North Mianus School (A), Eastern Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Bridges School Early Childhood Program, Inc. (unavailable)
- Pictured: 56 Frontier Rd, Cos Cob ($3.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,055,400 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,979 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $149,375
- Top public schools: Greenwich High School (A+), North Mianus School (A), Eastern Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Bridges School Early Childhood Program, Inc. (unavailable)
- Pictured: 56 Frontier Rd, Cos Cob ($3.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
#8. New Canaan
- Population: 20,276
- Median home value: $1,355,800 (79% own)
- Median rent: $2,228 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $190,227
- Top public schools: New Canaan High School (A+), East School (A+), West School (A+)
- Top private schools: St. Luke's School (A+), New Canaan Country School (A), St. Aloysius Diocesan Elementary School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 291 Greenley Rd, New Canaan ($8.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,355,800 (79% own)
- Median rent: $2,228 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $190,227
- Top public schools: New Canaan High School (A+), East School (A+), West School (A+)
- Top private schools: St. Luke's School (A+), New Canaan Country School (A), St. Aloysius Diocesan Elementary School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 291 Greenley Rd, New Canaan ($8.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
#7. West Hartford
- Population: 63,063
- Median home value: $334,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,325 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $104,281
- Top public schools: Conard High School (A+), Hall High School (A+), Bugbee School (A+)
- Top private schools: Kingswood Oxford School (A+), Northwest Catholic High School (A), Hebrew High School of New England (A-)
- Pictured: 44 Sycamore Rd, West Hartford ($1.4 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $334,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,325 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $104,281
- Top public schools: Conard High School (A+), Hall High School (A+), Bugbee School (A+)
- Top private schools: Kingswood Oxford School (A+), Northwest Catholic High School (A), Hebrew High School of New England (A-)
- Pictured: 44 Sycamore Rd, West Hartford ($1.4 million, 7 bedrooms)
#6. Avon
- Population: 18,312
- Median home value: $383,200 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,426 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $131,130
- Top public schools: Avon High School (A+), Avon Middle School (A), Thompson Brook School (A)
- Top private schools: Avon Old Farms School (A+), Farmington Valley Academy Montessori (unavailable), Talcott Mountain Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology (unavailable)
- Pictured: 5 Pembroke Dr, Avon ($1.7 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $383,200 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,426 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $131,130
- Top public schools: Avon High School (A+), Avon Middle School (A), Thompson Brook School (A)
- Top private schools: Avon Old Farms School (A+), Farmington Valley Academy Montessori (unavailable), Talcott Mountain Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology (unavailable)
- Pictured: 5 Pembroke Dr, Avon ($1.7 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#5. Ridgefield
- Population: 25,042
- Median home value: $653,100 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,786 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $163,945
- Top public schools: Ridgefield High School (A+), Scotland Elementary School (A), Branchville Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Ridgefield Academy (A), St. Mary School (unavailable), Ridgefield Montessori School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 323 Florida Hill Rd, Ridgefield ($4.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $653,100 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,786 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $163,945
- Top public schools: Ridgefield High School (A+), Scotland Elementary School (A), Branchville Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Ridgefield Academy (A), St. Mary School (unavailable), Ridgefield Montessori School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 323 Florida Hill Rd, Ridgefield ($4.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
#4. Westport
- Population: 28,016
- Median home value: $1,150,400 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,956 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $206,466
- Top public schools: Staples High School (A+), Green's Farms School (A+), Long Lots School (A+)
- Top private schools: Greens Farms Academy (A+), Pierrepont School (A+), Landmark of Ridgefield Academy (unavailable)
- Pictured: 66 Beachside Ave, Westport ($12.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,150,400 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,956 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $206,466
- Top public schools: Staples High School (A+), Green's Farms School (A+), Long Lots School (A+)
- Top private schools: Greens Farms Academy (A+), Pierrepont School (A+), Landmark of Ridgefield Academy (unavailable)
- Pictured: 66 Beachside Ave, Westport ($12.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
#3. Riverside
- Population: 8,604
- Median home value: $1,383,800 (80% own)
- Median rent: $2,168 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $215,791
- Top public schools: Greenwich High School (A+), North Mianus School (A), International School at Dundee (A)
- Pictured: 41 Dawn Harbor Ln, Riverside ($5.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,383,800 (80% own)
- Median rent: $2,168 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $215,791
- Top public schools: Greenwich High School (A+), North Mianus School (A), International School at Dundee (A)
- Pictured: 41 Dawn Harbor Ln, Riverside ($5.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
#2. Weatogue
- Population: 2,738
- Median home value: $322,200 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,304 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $133,393
- Top public schools: Simsbury High School (A+), Henry James Memorial School (A), Central School (A)
- Top private schools: The Ethel Walker School (A+)
- Pictured: 2 Tallwood Ln, Simsbury ($524,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $322,200 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,304 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $133,393
- Top public schools: Simsbury High School (A+), Henry James Memorial School (A), Central School (A)
- Top private schools: The Ethel Walker School (A+)
- Pictured: 2 Tallwood Ln, Simsbury ($524,900, 4 bedrooms)
#1. Old Greenwich
- Population: 6,844
- Median home value: $1,561,200 (84% own)
- Median rent: $2,127 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $222,794
- Top public schools: Greenwich High School (A+), North Mianus School (A), International School at Dundee (A)
- Pictured: 20 Ballwood Rd, Old Greenwich ($7.6 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,561,200 (84% own)
- Median rent: $2,127 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $222,794
- Top public schools: Greenwich High School (A+), North Mianus School (A), International School at Dundee (A)
- Pictured: 20 Ballwood Rd, Old Greenwich ($7.6 million, 6 bedrooms)
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