Living in Barkhamsted, CT
Barkhamsted is a Litchfield County town of 3,717 residents on 36.25 square miles, with the Farmington River, Barkhamsted Reservoir, two state forests and the villages of Riverton and Pleasant Valley.
Barkhamsted at a glance
- Median sale price
- $483,000+1.7% vs last year 36 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 24.27 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$8,200 median-priced home
- Population
- 3,717 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 36.3 sq mi 103 per sq mi
What it is like in Barkhamsted
Barkhamsted is in northeastern Litchfield County, Connecticut, and borders Hartland, Canton, New Hartford, Winchester and Torrington. It covers 36.25 square miles of land and had a population of 3,717 in our latest figures.
The town was incorporated in 1779 and has seven villages: West Hill, Mallory, Barkhamsted Center, Center Hill, Washington Hill, Pleasant Valley and Riverton. The old town center, Barkhamsted Hollow, lies under Barkhamsted Reservoir, which the MDC filled over eight years in the early 1900s and which supplies water to Hartford.
Large areas are state forest or MDC water supply land. The National Register of Historic Places lists the Barkhamsted Center Historic District, the Riverton Historic District and the Old Riverton Inn among nine local listings.
Peoples State Forest holds the Stone Museum, and American Legion State Forest includes a campground and a CCC shelter on the National Register. Lake McDonough, south of the reservoir, is MDC-owned and used for recreation, and West Hill Pond has a boat launch. The West Branch of the Farmington River is a designated Wild and Scenic River with a year-round catch-and-release section.
Riverton hosts an opening-day fishing tournament and the Riverton Fair, held on the second weekend of October. In Riverton, the Greenwood Glass Blowing Studio Gallery & School operates in the 1829 Union Church, and the Old Riverton Inn has a tavern open Wednesday through Sunday. Homegrown Farms on New Hartford Road is listed as a cut-your-own Christmas tree farm.
Getting around from Barkhamsted
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 42 min | 24 |
| New Haven | 75 min | 52 |
| Stamford | 114 min | 86 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 163 min | 117 |
| Boston | 164 min | 120 |
| Providence | 141 min | 99 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 43 min | 22 |
Rail
No passenger rail station within 8 miles.
Highways and routes
U.S. Route 44 crosses the southwestern part of town, and state routes 20, 181, 219 and 318 serve the villages. Riverton lies along Route 20, and Pleasant Valley is reached from Route 44 by Route 318.
Hartford is 24 miles and about 42 minutes away by car, and Bradley Airport is 22 miles and 43 minutes. New Haven is 52 miles and 75 minutes, New York City (Midtown) is 117 miles and 163 minutes, and Boston is 120 miles and 164 minutes. Wikipedia reports no public transportation in town.
Schools in Barkhamsted
1 public school in Barkhamsted School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 1
- Barkhamsted
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Barkhamsted School District on the state's EdSight site.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data. We do not rate or rank schools.
Eat, drink and explore in Barkhamsted
Open Barkhamsted in Google Maps →Eat and drink 4
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Cafe and bar serving sandwiches, burgers and wings, with live music listed on Sundays.
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Bakery at the Shops at Riverton making breads, pastries, cakes and pies.
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General store in the Riverton village center serving breakfast and lunch, including sandwiches, soups, salads and pizza.
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Tavern in a historic Route 20 inn, with dine-in and takeout service Wednesday through Sunday.
Things to do and see 1
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Glassblowing studio and gallery housed in the 1829 Union Church, with classes offered.
Parks, preserves and trails 8
Parks and open space © OpenStreetMap contributors. Places to eat and visit last checked October 2026. These are not paid placements; they are simply our selection. Hours and menus change, so check before you go.
Barkhamsted housing market
Over the last 12 months, 36 homes sold in Barkhamsted with a median sale price of $483,000 and a median of 9 days on market. There are 7 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $254 per square foot. The typical home sold for 101% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 1.7% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 2.3 months.
Barkhamsted's town-wide property tax rate is 24.27 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $8,200 a year. Special taxing districts, such as fire districts, can add to this, and a home's actual assessment may differ from its sale price.
Source: SmartMLS, residential sales (single-family, condo and multi-family); mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. Updated November 10, 2026.
Homes for sale in Barkhamsted
See all 7 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering Barkhamsted.
Questions about Barkhamsted
What is the median home price in Barkhamsted, CT?
The median sale price in Barkhamsted is $483,000, based on 36 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Barkhamsted, CT?
Barkhamsted's town-wide property tax rate is 24.27 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $8,200 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Barkhamsted, CT from Hartford?
Barkhamsted is about 24 miles and a 42-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Barkhamsted, CT from New York City?
Barkhamsted is about 117 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 163-minute drive without traffic.
What is the population of Barkhamsted, CT?
Barkhamsted has about 3,717 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 36.3 square miles.
How many public schools are in Barkhamsted, CT?
Barkhamsted has 1 public school in Barkhamsted School District. Which school serves an address depends on the district's boundaries, so confirm with the district.
How many homes are for sale in Barkhamsted, CT?
There are 7 homes for sale in Barkhamsted right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
What villages make up Barkhamsted?
West Hill, Mallory, Barkhamsted Center, Center Hill, Washington Hill, Pleasant Valley and Riverton.
Which state forests are in Barkhamsted?
Peoples State Forest and American Legion State Forest are in town. Tunxis and Enders State Forests also extend into the area per Wikipedia.
When is the Riverton Fair?
It is held on the second weekend of October.
How far is Barkhamsted from Hartford?
Hartford is 24 miles away, about 42 minutes by car.
Which towns border Barkhamsted?
Hartland, Canton, New Hartford, Winchester and Torrington.
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