Connecticut Magazine Rates the State's Small Towns (Part 3)

CT Magazine Rates the State's Small Towns (Part 3)

This is the third entry in our three part series highlighting the rating of Connecticut's small towns by Connecticut Magazine. In our first post, we focused on the largest towns in our state, those with populations between 6,500 and 10,000; in our second post, we highlighted towns between 3,500 and 6,500 residents. To recap, the publication set the following criteria for the rankings:

They first sorted the localities into three groups based on population:

• 6,500 – 10,000
• 3,500 – 6,500
• less than 3,500

Then, information was collected in the quality-of-life criteria that are most important to residents:

• Schools
• Crime Rate
• Cost of Living
• Local Economy
• Leisure/Cultural Outlets

Then the numbers were crunched and rankings were awarded based on how the towns scored in those criteria, with a “1” being the best score possible. In this third part of the series, we’ll be taking a look at the next population segment, towns with less than 3,500 residents, and specifically those in our market area, if any:

3,500 and Under:

Unfortunately, there were no towns in our market area included in this segment, but there are several excellent representatives dotted throughout New London, Litchfield and Windham counties. Lyme, with a population of about 2,000, is one of Connecticut's smallest towns, but it's also one of the most beautiful. Much of the town is fronted by the Connecticut River, and there are also many salt marshes in the area. A good school system, low crime rate and stable economy add to its attractiveness. Norfolk, at number 2, has the distinction of being the only town with above average scores in every category. And number 6 Eastford remains the jewel of Windham County by virtue of its low crime rate, good SAT test scores, and the lowest median home prices of any town in the top ten.

Here are the full set of results for this population segment:

Remember, these rankings are not to be considered the last word in what the quality of life is in a particular city/town; however, they are a starting point and can be used as a point of comparison when making a decision about where to live in the state. There are many reasons for liking – or not liking - a specific city or town that transcend any statistical ranking or report, and only you can decide if a place is right for you and your family.

That wraps up the Connecticut Magazine rankings of Connecticut's small towns. To see these results in their entirety, head on over to the Connecticut Magazine web site.

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• Connecticut Magazine Rates the State's Small Towns (Part 1) (wallingfordwired.com)
• Connecticut Magazine Rates the State's Small Towns (Part 2) (wallingfordwired.com)