CT Magazine: Bethel 16th Among 32 Towns

Bethel was ranked 13th among 32 small towns in Connecticut in the November issue of Connecticut Magazine's "Rating the Towns 2011."

According to the introductory article, "The goal of 'Rating the Towns' is to identify the areas — schools, crime, cost of living, local economy, leisure and cultural opportunities — that most people seem to think most important when they judge the quality of local life."

Authors Andrew Brady and Patricia Grandjean rated Connecticut towns in four categories based on population: 10,000 to 15,000; 15,000 to 25,000; 25,000 to 50,000; and over 50,000.

, Bethel has 18,584 residents, putting it in the second group. Each of the 32 towns was ranked from one to 32 in each of five categories, with Ridgefield gaining the lowest score, 40, and therefore highest rank.

Bethel broke into the Top 10 in Crime (8), but didn't rank as well in the other categories: Education (16), Economy (15) Cost (21), Leisure (21) and for a final score of 81. Bethel ranks 16th behind Ellington (15th, 79), Rocky Hill (14th, 77) and Brookfield (13th, 74).

No. 1 Ridgefield is followed by New Canaan (41), Avon (42) and Wilton (43), and nearby Southbury makes the Top 10 at No. 8, with a score of 66.5.

The last time Connecticut Magazine compiled a list of the top towns, November 2009, Bethel placed 15th among 29 cities in its population range with a score of 76. By scale, most categories stayed relatively the same: Education (16), Economy (16), Cost (19) and Leisure (21). Crime increased slightly, as it went up to an 8 from a 4 in 2009.

Follow this link for the full article on ConnecticutMag.com.