Signals
Derby
Bristol
Opportunity
28 · Bottom 5%
vs33 · Bottom 9%
Growth
32 · Bottom 20%
vs31 · Bottom 19%
Climate
65 · Bottom 36%
vs62 · Bottom 22%
Housing affordability
88 · Top 35%
vs89 · Top 34%
Access
76 · Bottom 17%
vs92 · Top 50%
Economic stability
62 · Top 47%
vs63 · Top 43%
Measured values
| Metric | Derby | Bristol | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,487 | 61,462 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $79,500 | $79,076 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $46,280 | $40,503 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 2,470/sq mi | 2,328/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $256,700 | $277,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,452 | $1,338 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 61.9% | 64.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 4.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -5.3% | -5.3% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.6% | 30.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | 10.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 2 | 32 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.2 | 0.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -98.1% | -17.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 23°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 44.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 47 mi | 22 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 28.8 min | 25.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 46.4 | 37.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 5 | 18 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 10.48 | 12.88 | 2024-25 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 55.9% | 52.4% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Full profiles: Derby, CT · Bristol, CT · How this is calculated: methodology