Living in East Lyme, CT
East Lyme is a New London County town on Long Island Sound, with the shoreline village of Niantic and the inland village of Flanders, crossed by Interstate 95 and Route 1.
East Lyme at a glance
- Median sale price
- $525,000+3.4% vs last year 246 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 28.95 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$10,600 median-priced home
- Population
- 19,004 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 34.0 sq mi 559 per sq mi
What it is like in East Lyme
East Lyme lies in southern New London County, with Long Island Sound to the south. It borders Waterford, Old Lyme, Lyme, Montville and Salem. The town covers 34.02 square miles of land and had a population of 19,004 in the facts file used for this guide. The tidal Niantic River forms its eastern boundary and feeds Niantic Bay.
East Lyme was incorporated in 1839 from parts of Lyme and Waterford. Its two main villages are Niantic on the shoreline and Flanders inland. The Thomas Lee House, built around 1660, is one of Connecticut's oldest houses.
Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic has two beaches, camping and picnic areas. The town also has McCook Point Park, Hole-in-the-Wall Beach, Cini Memorial Park and two golf courses, Cedar Ridge and Old Black Point. Boat launches serve Pattagansett Lake, Powers Lake, Dodge Pond and Gorton Pond. The Niantic Bay Boardwalk runs about a mile along the water.
Main Street in Niantic has restaurants such as Skippers Seafood, 374 Kitchen + Cocktails and The Spice Club. Scott's Yankee Farmer on Boston Post Road has pick-your-own fruit, and Brookside Farm Museum is on Society Road. Annual town events include Celebrate East Lyme, the Holiday Stroll, the Memorial Day Parade, the Niantic Bay Triathlon and the Oyster Festival.
Getting around from East Lyme
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 65 min | 45 |
| New Haven | 56 min | 41 |
| Stamford | 110 min | 81 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 164 min | 116 |
| Boston | 143 min | 116 |
| Providence | 82 min | 65 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 87 min | 59 |
Rail stations nearby
- New London 6.9 mi Amtrak
Highways and routes
Interstate 95 runs through town. Route 1 (Boston Post Road) and Route 161 (Chesterfield Road) meet at Flanders Four Corners. By car, New Haven is 41 miles and about 56 minutes, Hartford is 45 miles and about 65 minutes, and Providence is 65 miles and about 82 minutes. Boston is 116 miles and about 143 minutes, and Midtown Manhattan is 116 miles and about 164 minutes. Bradley Airport is 59 miles and about 87 minutes away.
The nearest rail station in the facts file is New London, with Amtrak service, 6.9 miles away in a straight line.
Schools in East Lyme
5 public schools in East Lyme School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 3
- Flanders
- Lillie B. Haynes
- Niantic Center
Middle 1
- East Lyme
High school 1
- East Lyme High School
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up East Lyme 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 East Lyme
Open East Lyme in Google Maps →Eat and drink 8
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Restaurant on Main Street serving mostly gluten-free comfort food, daily brunch and craft cocktails.
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Bar and grill serving burgers, pasta, steaks and seafood, including clam chowder and lobster rolls.
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Seafood restaurant and fish market with a bar, seasonal patio, takeout and clambake catering.
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Chef-owned bistro in Niantic with a monthly changing menu, serving dinner and Sunday brunch.
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Pizza and sandwich restaurant with a take-out lunch counter, catering and a menu of weekly specials.
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Seafood restaurant on Niantic Bay serving lobster rolls, fried fish, chowder and burgers.
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East Lyme location of a three-restaurant local group on Flanders Road.
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Thai restaurant on Main Street also serving sushi, curries, noodles and poke bowls, with takeout and delivery.
Things to do and see 2
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1845 Greek Revival farmhouse museum with period displays, a barn event space and grounds open daily.
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Farm stand with pick-your-own fruit, fall pumpkins, plants and weekend donuts.
Parks, preserves and trails 39
Show 25 more parks and conservation parcels
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.
East Lyme housing market
Over the last 12 months, 246 homes sold in East Lyme with a median sale price of $525,000 and a median of 13 days on market. There are 51 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $274 per square foot. The typical home sold for 100% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 3.4% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 2.5 months.
East Lyme's town-wide property tax rate is 28.95 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $10,600 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 East Lyme
See all 51 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering East Lyme.
Questions about East Lyme
What is the median home price in East Lyme, CT?
The median sale price in East Lyme is $525,000, based on 246 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in East Lyme, CT?
East Lyme's town-wide property tax rate is 28.95 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $10,600 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is East Lyme, CT from Hartford?
East Lyme is about 45 miles and a 65-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is East Lyme, CT from New York City?
East Lyme is about 116 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 164-minute drive without traffic.
Is there a train station in East Lyme, CT?
The closest passenger rail station we have on record is New London (Amtrak) about 6.9 miles from the center of East Lyme. Check the operator's schedule for current service.
What is the population of East Lyme, CT?
East Lyme has about 19,004 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 34.0 square miles.
How many public schools are in East Lyme, CT?
East Lyme has 5 public schools in East Lyme 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 East Lyme, CT?
There are 51 homes for sale in East Lyme right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
Is there a train station in East Lyme?
No. The nearest station in the facts file is New London, with Amtrak service, 6.9 miles away in a straight line.
What are the villages of East Lyme?
Niantic is the shoreline village and Flanders is the inland village.
Which beaches are in East Lyme?
Rocky Neck State Park has two beaches, and the town also has Hole-in-the-Wall Beach and McCook Point Park.
Which highways serve East Lyme?
Interstate 95 runs through town, and Route 1 and Route 161 meet at Flanders Four Corners.
What annual events does East Lyme hold?
The town lists Celebrate East Lyme, the Holiday Stroll, the Memorial Day Parade, the Niantic Bay Triathlon and the Oyster Festival.
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