Living in Durham, CT
Durham is a Middlesex County town of 23.66 square miles on the Coginchaug River, with a Main Street historic district and the Metacomet Ridge on its west side.
Durham at a glance
- Median sale price
- $526,500+11.5% vs last year 46 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 28.00 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$10,300 median-priced home
- Population
- 7,230 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 23.7 sq mi 306 per sq mi
What it is like in Durham
Durham is in Middlesex County and borders Middlefield, Middletown, Wallingford, Haddam, North Branford, Killingworth and Madison. The facts on file give a land area of 23.66 square miles and a population of 7,230. It began as a farming village on the Coginchaug River.
Settlers bought land from the Mattabesset (Wangunk) people around 1662, and Durham was incorporated in 1708. Its library, founded in 1733, is considered one of the first public libraries in the United States. The Main Street Historic District in the town center is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Metacomet Ridge runs along the west side of town, with peaks including Trimountain, Fowler Mountain and Pistapaug Mountain. The 50-mile Mattabesett Trail follows the ridge, and Millers Pond State Park is in Durham. Other outdoor sites from the town facts include Durham Town Green, Allyn Brook Park, Curtis Woodland, Mica Ledges, Parmelee Brook Preserve and Durham Meadows Wildlife Management Area.
The Durham Fair is held each autumn and is described as the largest volunteer agricultural fair in New England. Carmine's Pizza & Italian Take Out and Cozy Corner Restaurant and Pizza are among the places to eat.
Getting around from Durham
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 39 min | 24 |
| New Haven | 34 min | 22 |
| Stamford | 89 min | 62 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 143 min | 97 |
| Boston | 157 min | 122 |
| Providence | 123 min | 84 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 60 min | 38 |
Rail stations nearby
- Wallingford 7.2 mi Amtrak
- Meriden 7.7 mi CTrail Hartford Line, Amtrak
Highways and routes
The facts on file list two nearby rail stations: Wallingford (Amtrak), 7.2 miles in a straight line, and Meriden (CTrail Hartford Line and Amtrak), 7.7 miles. No station is in town.
By car, New Haven is 34 minutes (22 miles), Hartford 39 minutes (24 miles), Bradley Airport 60 minutes (38 miles), Stamford 89 minutes, Providence 123 minutes, Boston 157 minutes and Midtown Manhattan 143 minutes (97 miles).
Schools in Durham
3 public schools in Regional School District 13. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 1
- Frederick Brewster
Middle 1
- Frank Ward Strong
High school 1
- Coginchaug Regional High School
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Regional School District 13 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 Durham
Open Durham in Google Maps →Eat and drink 3
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Takeout restaurant on Main Street serving pizza and Italian dishes, with catering.
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Restaurant on New Haven Road serving pizza and pasta dishes.
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Mexican restaurant on Main Street.
Things to do and see 3
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Cut-your-own Christmas tree farm.
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Historical society with exhibits in the 1775 Center School; open seasonally.
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Salt cave in the Red Barn offering group halotherapy sessions of about 45 minutes.
Parks, preserves and trails 15
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.
Durham housing market
Over the last 12 months, 46 homes sold in Durham with a median sale price of $526,500 and a median of 12 days on market. There are 12 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $256 per square foot. The typical home sold for 104% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 11.5% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 3.1 months.
Durham's town-wide property tax rate is 28.00 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $10,300 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 Durham
See all 12 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering Durham.
Questions about Durham
What is the median home price in Durham, CT?
The median sale price in Durham is $526,500, based on 46 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Durham, CT?
Durham's town-wide property tax rate is 28.00 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $10,300 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Durham, CT from Hartford?
Durham is about 24 miles and a 39-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Durham, CT from New York City?
Durham is about 97 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 143-minute drive without traffic.
Is there a train station in Durham, CT?
The closest passenger rail station we have on record is Wallingford (Amtrak) about 7.2 miles from the center of Durham. Check the operator's schedule for current service.
What is the population of Durham, CT?
Durham has about 7,230 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 23.7 square miles.
How many public schools are in Durham, CT?
Durham has 3 public schools in Regional School District 13. Which school serves an address depends on the district's boundaries, so confirm with the district.
How many homes are for sale in Durham, CT?
There are 12 homes for sale in Durham right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
How far is Durham from New Haven?
New Haven is 22 miles, about 34 minutes by car.
Where is the nearest train station?
Wallingford (Amtrak) is 7.2 miles in a straight line and Meriden (CTrail Hartford Line and Amtrak) is 7.7 miles.
What is the Durham Fair?
An autumn agricultural fair run by volunteers, described as the largest of its kind in New England.
Where can I hike?
Millers Pond State Park, Mica Ledges and the Mattabesett Trail along the Metacomet Ridge are in town.
Which towns border Durham?
Middlefield, Middletown, Wallingford, Haddam, North Branford, Killingworth and Madison.
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Towns that border Durham
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