A real improvement in crime numbers pushed Old Saybrook past Weston and into the top spot in this population group—this despite significant increases in the price of a house or condo in town. Most impressive in this group, however, was Ellington, which two years ago finished at No. 14 and this time has moved all the way up to No. 5. The town, located just within commuting distance to the northeast of Hartford, improved or held steady in all five categories and moved from No. 15 in "Crime" last time to No. 8. It would seem that Ellington also offers an opportunity for young families: Its median house price was the seventh best in this population group, while its schools were sixth from the top. This is known as getting good value for your tax dollars. (Somers also does well in this category.)
Meanwhile, moving out of the Top 10 were Suffield (worse crime numbers), Cromwell (the local economy sagged a bit) and North Branford (slightly worse numbers across the board). This made space closer to the top not only for Ellington, but for Tolland and Clinton as well.
Once again, we'd like to emphasize the point that towns from all across Connecticut can do well in the "Rating the Towns" rankings. Here, in the 10,000 to 15,000 population group, you might take note that the first five finishers are from five different counties in the state: Middlesex, Fairfield, Hartford, New Haven and Tolland.
|
Overall
Rank |
Town |
|
Crime |
Economy |
Cost |
Leisure |
Total
Score |
|
1 |
Old Saybrook |
5 |
4.5 |
2 |
20 |
1 |
32.5 |
|
2 |
Weston |
1 |
2 |
1 |
23 |
8 |
35 |
|
*3 |
Granby |
2 |
6 |
7 |
18 |
6 |
39 |
|
*3 |
Orange |
3 |
11 |
3 |
19 |
3 |
39 |
|
5 |
Ellington |
6 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
14 |
44 |
|
6 |
New Fairfield |
4 |
1 |
4 |
22 |
17 |
48 |
|
7 |
Somers |
7 |
14 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
51 |
|
8 |
Tolland |
8 |
4.5 |
8 |
21 |
10 |
51.5 |
|
9 |
Ledyard |
14 |
9 |
12 |
11 |
7 |
53 |
|
10 |
Clinton |
15 |
17 |
6 |
14 |
2 |
54 |
|
11 |
Suffield |
9 |
12.5 |
5 |
16 |
13 |
55.5 |
|
*12 |
Cromwell |
13 |
18 |
13 |
9 |
5 |
58 |
|
*12 |
North Branford |
12 |
7 |
10 |
17 |
12 |
58 |
|
14 |
East Hampton |
11 |
3 |
17 |
12 |
20 |
63 |
|
15 |
Stafford |
10 |
16 |
18 |
2 |
19 |
65 |
|
16 |
Coventry |
17 |
10 |
15 |
8 |
16 |
66 |
|
17 |
Windsor Locks |
20 |
22 |
14 |
1 |
15 |
72 |
|
18 |
Colchester |
16 |
15 |
16 |
15 |
11 |
73 |
|
19 |
Griswold |
22 |
12.5 |
19 |
5 |
22 |
80.5 |
|
*20 |
Derby |
21 |
23 |
21 |
13 |
4 |
82 |
|
*20 |
Plymouth |
19 |
19 |
20 |
6 |
18 |
82 |
|
22 |
Winchester |
18 |
21 |
22 |
3 |
21 |
85 |
|
23 |
Plainfield |
23 |
20 |
23 |
4 |
23 |
93 | |
*tie
|
HOW TO READ THE CHART
The chart above represents the 23 Connecticut cities with population over 50,000. The comparisons are made only with other towns in this group. The best possible rating in any category is 1 and the worst is 23. Remember: Low scores are good, high ones are bad. | |
|
