Living in Darien, CT
Darien is a Fairfield County town on Long Island Sound between Stamford and Norwalk, with two Metro-North stations, Weed Beach, Tokeneke and the Boston Post Road Historic District.
Darien at a glance
- Median sale price
- $2,800,000+19.1% vs last year 235 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 16.05 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$31,500 median-priced home
- Population
- 22,528 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 12.7 sq mi 1,781 per sq mi
What it is like in Darien
Darien is on Long Island Sound in Fairfield County, between Stamford to the west and Norwalk to the east, with New Canaan to the north. It covers 12.65 square miles of land and has a population of 22,528. Middlesex Parish became the Town of Darien in 1820.
The town's neighborhoods include Darien Downtown, Noroton, Noroton Heights, Ox Ridge, Tokeneke and Long Neck Point. Historic sites include the Stephen Tyng Mather Home, a National Historic Landmark, the Boston Post Road Historic District, and the Frederick J. Smith House, designed by Richard Meier and completed in 1967. Darien Library was founded in 1894.
Waterfront parks include Weed Beach Park, Pear Tree Point Beach Park and Tokeneke Park, and the town also has Tilley Pond Park, Cherry Lawn Park, Baker Park and Mather Fields. The Darien Ice House runs an ice rink on Old Kings Highway North. The town holds a Memorial Day Parade, Weed Beach Fest in June and a Downtown Halloween Parade in October.
The Museum of Darien on Old Kings Highway North is built around the c. 1736 Bates-Scofield House. Heights Road in Noroton Heights has Gregorys Coffee and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Darien Commons, SoNo Baking Company & Cafe is on Tokeneke Road, and Coromandel Cuisine of India is in the Goodwives Shopping Center.
Getting around from Darien
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 99 min | 73 |
| New Haven | 56 min | 38 |
| Stamford | 11 min | 4 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 64 min | 40 |
| Boston | 218 min | 172 |
| Providence | 179 min | 141 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 122 min | 89 |
Rail stations nearby
- Noroton Heights 1.5 mi Metro-North
- Darien 1.8 mi Metro-North
- Glenbrook 2.5 mi Metro-North
Highways and routes
Interstate 95 and US Route 1 (the Boston Post Road) run through Darien. Drive times: Stamford 11 minutes (4 miles), New Haven 56 minutes (38 miles), New York City Midtown 64 minutes (40 miles), Hartford 99 minutes (73 miles) and Bradley Airport 122 minutes (89 miles).
Noroton Heights station (1.5 miles) and Darien station (1.8 miles) both have Metro-North service to Grand Central Terminal. Glenbrook station in Stamford (2.5 miles) is also Metro-North.
Schools in Darien
7 public schools in Darien School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 5
- Hindley
- Holmes
- Ox Ridge
- Royle
- Tokeneke
Middle 1
- Middlesex
High school 1
- Darien High School
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Darien 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 Darien
Open Darien in Google Maps →Eat and drink 14
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Modern Mexican restaurant serving tacos, guacamole, brunch and margaritas.
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Indian restaurant in the Goodwives Shopping Center serving South Indian dishes and a weekday lunch buffet.
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Diner on the Post Road that moved to the former Friendly's building in 2016.
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Coffee shop in Darien Commons serving espresso drinks and baked goods.
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Pan-Asian restaurant with ramen, sushi, dumplings and traditional Asian dishes.
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Provencal restaurant with a Southern French menu and a wine shop section.
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Pizzeria serving thin-crust tavern-style pizza, including hot oil pizza.
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Restaurant serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, known for clam chowder and burgers.
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Bakery and cafe on Tokeneke Road, a satellite of the Norwalk bakery.
Show 5 more
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Mexican restaurant serving tacos, burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas, with a bar.
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Oyster bar and bistro serving a raw bar, seafood, steaks, burgers and Sunday brunch.
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Deli serving sandwiches, roll-ups, salads and paninis since 1987.
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Scoop shop in Darien Commons that opened in April 2023.
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Steakhouse and Italian restaurant serving seafood and pasta, owned by one family since 1987.
Things to do and see 2
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Nature center in a barn at Cherry Lawn Park with indoor and outdoor programs.
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Local history museum, formerly the Darien Historical Society, centered on the c. 1736 Bates-Scofield House and an 1827 barn.
Parks, preserves and trails 16
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.
Darien housing market
Over the last 12 months, 235 homes sold in Darien with a median sale price of $2,800,000 and a median of 11 days on market. There are 29 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $778 per square foot. The typical home sold for 106% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 19.1% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 1.5 months.
Darien's town-wide property tax rate is 16.05 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $31,500 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 Darien
See all 29 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering Darien.
Questions about Darien
What is the median home price in Darien, CT?
The median sale price in Darien is $2,800,000, based on 235 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Darien, CT?
Darien's town-wide property tax rate is 16.05 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $31,500 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Darien, CT from Hartford?
Darien is about 73 miles and a 99-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Darien, CT from New York City?
Darien is about 40 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 64-minute drive without traffic.
Is there a train station in Darien, CT?
The closest passenger rail station we have on record is Noroton Heights (Metro-North) about 1.5 miles from the center of Darien. Check the operator's schedule for current service.
What is the population of Darien, CT?
Darien has about 22,528 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 12.7 square miles.
How many public schools are in Darien, CT?
Darien has 7 public schools in Darien 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 Darien, CT?
There are 29 homes for sale in Darien right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
Which Metro-North stations serve Darien?
Noroton Heights and Darien stations, both on the New Haven Line to Grand Central Terminal. Glenbrook station in Stamford is also nearby.
How far is Darien from New York City?
New York City Midtown is 40 miles and about 64 minutes by car.
What annual events does Darien hold?
A Memorial Day Parade in May, Weed Beach Fest in June and a Downtown Halloween Parade in October.
Does Darien have beaches?
Yes. Weed Beach Park, Pear Tree Point Beach Park and Tokeneke Park are on Long Island Sound.
Which towns border Darien?
Stamford, Norwalk and New Canaan.
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