Living in Bethlehem, CT
Bethlehem is a southern Litchfield County town of 19.38 square miles known for its December Christmas postmark, the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden and the Abbey of Regina Laudis.
Bethlehem at a glance
- Median sale price
- $550,000+14.1% vs last year 34 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 23.57 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$9,100 median-priced home
- Population
- 3,449 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 19.4 sq mi 178 per sq mi
What it is like in Bethlehem
Bethlehem is in southern Litchfield County and borders Morris, Watertown, Woodbury and Washington. It covers 19.38 square miles of land and has a population of 3,449. It was incorporated in 1787.
The Bethlehem Green Historic District, with 63 properties, and the Bellamy-Ferriday House are both on the National Register of Historic Places. Joseph Bellamy, an 18th-century theologian, was pastor of the town's Congregational church for 50 years until his death in 1790. The Abbey of Regina Laudis, a Benedictine abbey founded in 1947, is in town.
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden at 9 Main Street North is a ten-acre site with an 18th-century house and a formal garden, with guided house tours from May through October. March Farm on Munger Lane has pick-your-own fruit and a country market. Town and preserve land includes Sky Meadow, Bellamy Preserve, Risley Refuge, Nonnewaug Pines and High Meadow Farms.
Each December thousands of people mail Christmas cards from the post office at 34 East Street to get a Bethlehem postmark. The Bethlehem Fair is held the weekend after Labor Day, the Connecticut Garlic and Harvest Festival in October and the Christmas Town Festival on the first weekend of December.
Getting around from Bethlehem
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 57 min | 38 |
| New Haven | 54 min | 35 |
| Stamford | 89 min | 64 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 132 min | 93 |
| Boston | 180 min | 139 |
| Providence | 156 min | 113 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 81 min | 53 |
Rail
No passenger rail station within 8 miles.
Highways and routes
Route 61 is the main north-south road and Route 132 is the main east-west road. Drive times: New Haven 54 minutes (35 miles), Hartford 57 minutes (38 miles), Bradley Airport 81 minutes (53 miles), Stamford 89 minutes (64 miles) and New York City Midtown 132 minutes (93 miles).
No rail stations are listed within range of the town in our data.
Schools in Bethlehem
1 public school in Regional School District 14. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 1
- Bethlehem
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Regional School District 14 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 Bethlehem
Open Bethlehem in Google Maps →Eat and drink 1
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Small winery with a tasting room and outdoor pavilion, open on posted weekend dates through the year.
Things to do and see 2
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Connecticut Landmarks historic house museum with a ten-acre garden; the house dates to the 18th century and has seasonal tours.
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Farm with pick-your-own fruit and pumpkins, a farm store and bakery, a corn maze and hayrides.
Parks, preserves and trails 25
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.
Bethlehem housing market
Over the last 12 months, 34 homes sold in Bethlehem with a median sale price of $550,000 and a median of 26 days on market. There are 16 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $266 per square foot. The typical home sold for 99% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 14.1% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 5.6 months.
Bethlehem's town-wide property tax rate is 23.57 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $9,100 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 Bethlehem
See all 16 →
Know before you move
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Questions about Bethlehem
What is the median home price in Bethlehem, CT?
The median sale price in Bethlehem is $550,000, based on 34 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Bethlehem, CT?
Bethlehem's town-wide property tax rate is 23.57 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $9,100 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Bethlehem, CT from Hartford?
Bethlehem is about 38 miles and a 57-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Bethlehem, CT from New York City?
Bethlehem is about 93 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 132-minute drive without traffic.
What is the population of Bethlehem, CT?
Bethlehem has about 3,449 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 19.4 square miles.
How many public schools are in Bethlehem, CT?
Bethlehem has 1 public school in Regional School District 14. Which school serves an address depends on the district's boundaries, so confirm with the district.
How many homes are for sale in Bethlehem, CT?
There are 16 homes for sale in Bethlehem right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
Why do people mail cards from Bethlehem?
Each December the post office at 34 East Street postmarks Christmas cards with Bethlehem, and thousands of visitors send mail from there.
What are the main roads in Bethlehem?
Route 61 runs north-south and Route 132 runs east-west.
What annual events are held in Bethlehem?
The Bethlehem Fair on the weekend after Labor Day, the Connecticut Garlic and Harvest Festival in October and the Christmas Town Festival on the first weekend of December.
What is the Abbey of Regina Laudis?
A Benedictine abbey in Bethlehem founded in 1947.
Which towns border Bethlehem?
Morris, Watertown, Woodbury and Washington.
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