Living in Branford, CT
Branford is a shoreline town of 21.84 square miles in New Haven County, with a Main Street green, the Stony Creek village and the Thimble Islands offshore.
Branford at a glance
- Median sale price
- $430,000+7.5% vs last year 364 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 22.16 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$6,700 median-priced home
- Population
- 28,448 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 21.8 sq mi 1,303 per sq mi
What it is like in Branford
Branford has a population of 28,448 and covers 21.84 square miles in New Haven County. It borders East Haven, Guilford and North Branford, and sits on Long Island Sound.
The Stony Creek-Thimble Island Historic District is on the shoreline. Cruises of the Thimble Islands leave from the Stony Creek dock in season, according to the state tourism site. On Main Street, the Harrison House Museum at 124 Main St is run by the Branford Historical Society.
Branford has 5 public schools in one district, the Branford School District, listed on the schools tab.
Parks and open spaces include Pawson Park, Pawson Park Marsh Wildlife Area, Youngs Pond Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Foote Memorial Park, Foote Riverside Park, Bayview Park, Pardee Park and Lions Park. There is a boat launch on the Branford River.
The Legacy Theatre in Stony Creek, at 128 Thimble Island Rd, stages a season of plays and a concert series in a former church. On Main Street, Pearl Wine Bar & Bistro and The Tasty Yolk are open. Lenny's Indian Head Inn serves seafood on the marsh at Indian Neck, and New England Brewing Co. runs a taproom at 5 Indian Neck Ave.
Getting around from Branford
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 63 min | 43 |
| New Haven | 18 min | 9 |
| Stamford | 73 min | 49 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 126 min | 84 |
| Boston | 182 min | 148 |
| Providence | 121 min | 98 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 85 min | 60 |
Rail stations nearby
- Branford 1.7 mi Shore Line East, CTrail Hartford Line
- Guilford 5.8 mi Shore Line East, CTrail Hartford Line
- State Street 7.3 mi Amtrak
Highways and routes
Branford station is 1.7 miles in a straight line from the town center and is served by Shore Line East and the CTrail Hartford Line. Guilford station, 5.8 miles away, has the same services, and State Street station, 7.3 miles away, is served by Amtrak.
By car, New Haven is 18 minutes (9 miles), Hartford 63 minutes (43 miles), Stamford 73 minutes (49 miles) and Midtown New York City 126 minutes (84 miles). Providence is 121 minutes (98 miles), Boston 182 minutes (148 miles) and Bradley Airport 85 minutes (60 miles).
Schools in Branford
5 public schools in Branford School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 3
- John B. Sliney
- Mary R. Tisko
- Mary T. Murphy
Middle 1
- Francis Walsh Intermediate
High school 1
- Branford High School
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Branford 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 Branford
Open Branford in Google Maps →Eat and drink 9
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Ice cream shop on Main Street serving handcrafted ice cream, frozen yogurt, cakes and pies.
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Pizzeria serving pizza, calzones, pasta, gyros, sandwiches and wings, with carryout and delivery.
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Italian restaurant and lounge with pizza, takeout and catering menus.
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Seafood restaurant on the marsh in the Indian Neck section with a deck and bar, also serving steaks and ribs.
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Brewery and taproom on the Branford River in the former Stony Creek Brewery building.
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Northern Italian restaurant serving homemade pasta, steaks, Sunday brunch and catering.
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Wine bar and bistro on Main Street with a menu of steaks, seafood, pasta and charcuterie boards.
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Breakfast and lunch sandwich shop on Main Street, one of three Branford locations.
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Coffee shop selling freshly roasted coffee and home brewing equipment.
Things to do and see 1
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Non-profit professional theatre in a former church building in Stony Creek, staging a mainstage season and concert series.
Parks, preserves and trails 24
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.
Branford housing market
Over the last 12 months, 364 homes sold in Branford with a median sale price of $430,000 and a median of 13 days on market. There are 68 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $280 per square foot. The typical home sold for 100% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 7.5% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 2.2 months.
Branford's town-wide property tax rate is 22.16 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $6,700 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 Branford
See all 68 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering Branford.
Questions about Branford
What is the median home price in Branford, CT?
The median sale price in Branford is $430,000, based on 364 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Branford, CT?
Branford's town-wide property tax rate is 22.16 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $6,700 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Branford, CT from Hartford?
Branford is about 43 miles and a 63-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Branford, CT from New York City?
Branford is about 84 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 126-minute drive without traffic.
Is there a train station in Branford, CT?
The closest passenger rail station we have on record is Branford (Shore Line East, CTrail Hartford Line) about 1.7 miles from the center of Branford. Check the operator's schedule for current service.
What is the population of Branford, CT?
Branford has about 28,448 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 21.8 square miles.
How many public schools are in Branford, CT?
Branford has 5 public schools in Branford 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 Branford, CT?
There are 68 homes for sale in Branford right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
Is there train service in Branford?
Yes. Branford station is served by Shore Line East and the CTrail Hartford Line, and it is 1.7 miles in a straight line from the town center.
How far is Branford from New Haven?
New Haven is 9 miles and about 18 minutes by car.
What is there to see on the Branford shoreline?
The Stony Creek-Thimble Island Historic District, with seasonal cruises of the Thimble Islands from the Stony Creek dock.
Which towns border Branford?
East Haven, Guilford and North Branford.
How far is Branford from Bradley Airport?
Bradley Airport (BDL) is 60 miles and about 85 minutes by car.
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Towns that border Branford
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