Living in Guilford, CT
Guilford is a shoreline town in New Haven County on I-95 and U.S. Route 1, built around the Guilford Green and the 1639 Henry Whitfield House, with Shore Line East service.
Guilford at a glance
- Median sale price
- $625,0000% vs last year 274 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 28.40 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$12,400 median-priced home
- Population
- 22,264 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 47.1 sq mi 473 per sq mi
What it is like in Guilford
Guilford covers 47.08 square miles of land on the Connecticut shoreline and had 22,264 residents in the facts we hold. It borders North Branford, Madison and Branford. The main settlement, Guilford Center, lies around U.S. Route 1 and Route 77 in the south of town, and the Metacomet Ridge, including Totoket Mountain and Bluff Head, marks the northwest side.
Before European settlement the area was Menunkatuck, a Quinnipiac village. In 1639, 24 Puritan families led by Rev. Henry Whitfield settled here after a land grant from the sachem Shaumpishuh. Guilford joined New Haven Colony in 1643 and became part of Connecticut Colony in 1664.
The Henry Whitfield House of 1639 is described as the oldest house in Connecticut. Other historic sites include the Hyland House, a museum since 1918, the Griswold House of 1764 and Falkner Island Light of 1802. The Guilford Green is part of the town's historic district.
Henry Whitfield State Museum at 248 Old Whitfield Street has a visitor center and an archaeology exhibit. The Dudley Farm Museum on Durham Road includes a farmhouse, the Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum and grounds open daily from dawn to dusk. Guilford Art Center at 411 Church Street runs classes and a gallery, and it holds the Craft Expo on the Green. Bishop's Orchards on the Boston Post Road has pick-your-own fruit from June through October.
Outdoor places in our data include Chaffinch Island State Park, Jacob's Beach, Chittenden Park, Guilford Town Park, Mill Pond Park, Nut Plains Park, Long Hill Park, Rollwood Park, Olmsted Outlook and the East River Wildlife Area. Quonnipaug Lake has a boat launch, and Guilford Lakes Golf Course is in town. Guilford Lobster Pound serves seafood at the harbor in season, and The Place on the Boston Post Road cooks clams and lobsters over a wood fire from late April through October.
Getting around from Guilford
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 59 min | 35 |
| New Haven | 28 min | 16 |
| Stamford | 83 min | 57 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 137 min | 92 |
| Boston | 178 min | 133 |
| Providence | 118 min | 94 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 81 min | 49 |
Rail stations nearby
- Guilford 4.7 mi Shore Line East, CTrail Hartford Line
- Madison 6.7 mi Shore Line East, Amtrak
- Branford 7.3 mi Shore Line East, CTrail Hartford Line
Highways and routes
I-95 runs through Guilford with exits 57, 58 and 59, and U.S. Route 1 (the Boston Post Road) is the main commercial road. Route 77 links the center to Durham and Route 146 follows the coast toward Branford. By car, New Haven is 28 minutes (16 miles), Hartford 59 minutes (35 miles), Providence 118 minutes (94 miles) and New York City (Midtown) 137 minutes (92 miles). Bradley Airport is 81 minutes (49 miles) away.
Guilford station has Shore Line East and CTrail Hartford Line service, and it is listed 4.7 miles away in a straight line. Madison station (Shore Line East and Amtrak) is 6.7 miles away and Branford station (Shore Line East and CTrail Hartford Line) is 7.3 miles.
Schools in Guilford
7 public schools in Guilford School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 4
- A. W. Cox
- Calvin Leete
- Guilford Lakes
- Melissa Jones
Middle 2
- A. Baldwin
- E. C. Adams
High school 1
- Guilford High School
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Guilford 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 Guilford
Open Guilford in Google Maps →Eat and drink 8
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Ice cream shop on the Boston Post Road, the first of the Ashley's shops.
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Pizzeria with a wood-fired brick oven, open for dinner.
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New American restaurant on the Guilford Green with an outdoor patio.
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Italian cafe serving panini, salads, fresh pasta, espresso and gelato, with takeout and catering.
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Seasonal waterfront stand on Guilford Harbor serving lobster rolls, lobster grilled cheese, hot dogs and ice cream.
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Italian restaurant serving pizza, entrees and sandwiches, with a mobile pizza catering service.
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Outdoor seasonal restaurant cooking clams, lobsters and corn over a wood fire, open late April through October.
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Vegan restaurant serving Italian dishes made with house-made plant-based meats and artisan nut cheeses.
Things to do and see 4
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Farm founded in 1871 with a farm market, winery, bakery and pick-your-own orchards.
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Craft center with classes, a gallery, a shop of handmade items and the Craft Expo on the Green.
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State museum in the 1639 Henry Whitfield House, with a visitor center and archaeology exhibit.
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Former working farm with a farmhouse museum, the Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum, barns, gardens and trails.
Parks, preserves and trails 66
Show 52 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.
Guilford housing market
Over the last 12 months, 274 homes sold in Guilford with a median sale price of $625,000 and a median of 10 days on market. There are 58 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $304 per square foot. The typical home sold for 101% of its list price, and the median sale price is unchanged from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 2.5 months.
Guilford's town-wide property tax rate is 28.40 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $12,400 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 Guilford
See all 58 →
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Questions about Guilford
What is the median home price in Guilford, CT?
The median sale price in Guilford is $625,000, based on 274 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Guilford, CT?
Guilford's town-wide property tax rate is 28.40 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $12,400 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Guilford, CT from Hartford?
Guilford is about 35 miles and a 59-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Guilford, CT from New York City?
Guilford is about 92 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 137-minute drive without traffic.
Is there a train station in Guilford, CT?
The closest passenger rail station we have on record is Guilford (Shore Line East, CTrail Hartford Line) about 4.7 miles from the center of Guilford. Check the operator's schedule for current service.
What is the population of Guilford, CT?
Guilford has about 22,264 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 47.1 square miles.
How many public schools are in Guilford, CT?
Guilford has 7 public schools in Guilford 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 Guilford, CT?
There are 58 homes for sale in Guilford right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
Is there a train station in Guilford?
Yes. Guilford station has Shore Line East and CTrail Hartford Line service. Madison and Branford stations are also nearby.
Which highways serve Guilford?
I-95 has three interchanges here (exits 57, 58 and 59). U.S. Route 1 is the main commercial road, and Route 77 and Route 146 also serve the town.
How far is Guilford from New Haven?
It is 16 miles and about 28 minutes by car.
What historic sites are in Guilford?
The Henry Whitfield House of 1639, the Hyland House, the Griswold House of 1764 and Falkner Island Light are among them.
Which towns border Guilford?
North Branford, Madison and Branford.
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