Living in Shelton, CT
Shelton is a city of 42,805 in Fairfield County along the Housatonic River, with a downtown riverfront park, the Huntington Center Historic District and an orchard on Leavenworth Road.
Shelton at a glance
- Median sale price
- $540,500+1% vs last year 436 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 15.51 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$5,900 median-priced home
- Population
- 42,805 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 30.6 sq mi 1,397 per sq mi
What it is like in Shelton
Shelton covers 30.63 square miles in Fairfield County and has a population of 42,805. It borders eight towns: Derby, Trumbull, Monroe, Orange, Seymour, Milford, Stratford and Oxford.
The original settlement was known as Huntington. The Huntington Center Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, covers that colonial center, and Huntington Green was laid out in 1717.
Downtown Shelton sits on the Housatonic River, where Veterans Memorial Park hosts events such as food truck gatherings. Bridgeport Avenue is the main commercial road.
Public outdoor places include Pine Rock Park, Webb Mountain Park, Far Mill River Park, Riverview Park, Sunnyside Park, Capewell Park, Huntington Green and the Bushinsky Arboretum. Lake Housatonic has a boat launch, and Brownson Country Club is also in town.
In the White Hills section, Beardsley's Cider Mill & Orchard at 278 Leavenworth Road sells apples, pies and cider through late December, and White Hills Distillery shares the same address. Wells Hollow Creamery at 656 Bridgeport Avenue is a farm ice cream shop, and Little Barn at 901 Bridgeport Avenue is a pub.
Getting around from Shelton
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 66 min | 47 |
| New Haven | 26 min | 14 |
| Stamford | 49 min | 33 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 102 min | 68 |
| Boston | 186 min | 147 |
| Providence | 151 min | 117 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 89 min | 63 |
Rail stations nearby
- Derby-Shelton 3.1 mi Metro-North
- Ansonia 4.1 mi Metro-North
- Milford 7 mi Metro-North, CTrail Hartford Line
Highways and routes
Derby-Shelton station (Metro-North) is 3.1 miles away in a straight line, Ansonia station (Metro-North) is 4.1 miles and Milford station (Metro-North and the CTrail Hartford Line) is 7 miles.
By road, New Haven is 14 miles and 26 minutes away, Stamford 33 miles and 49 minutes, Hartford 47 miles and 66 minutes, and Midtown Manhattan 68 miles and 102 minutes. Bradley Airport is 63 miles and 89 minutes away.
Schools in Shelton
8 public schools in Shelton School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 5
- Booth Hill
- Elizabeth Shelton
- Long Hill
- Mohegan
- Sunnyside
Middle 2
- Intermediate
- Perry Hill Elementary
High school 1
- Shelton High School
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Shelton 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 Shelton
Open Shelton in Google Maps →Eat and drink 4
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Brick oven wood-fired pizza, pastas, seafood and appetizers, with lunch specials and catering.
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Pizzeria that opened its Shelton location on January 15, 2026.
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American pub on Bridgeport Avenue with burgers, tacos and salads, and a patio.
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Farm ice cream shop in a renovated barn serving ice cream, soft serve, smoothies and Italian ice.
Things to do and see 3
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Seasonal orchard and farm store with apples, pies, cider donuts and fresh cider, open into late December.
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Farm market selling vegetables, locally raised meats, eggs, made-to-order sandwiches, a hot bar and catering.
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Distillery making whiskey, bourbon, brandy, rum, vodka and gin, with food trucks and live music.
Parks, preserves and trails 53
Show 39 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.
Shelton housing market
Over the last 12 months, 436 homes sold in Shelton with a median sale price of $540,500 and a median of 17 days on market. There are 80 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $288 per square foot. The typical home sold for 100% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 1% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 2.2 months.
Shelton's town-wide property tax rate is 15.51 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $5,900 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 Shelton
See all 80 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering Shelton.
Questions about Shelton
What is the median home price in Shelton, CT?
The median sale price in Shelton is $540,500, based on 436 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Shelton, CT?
Shelton's town-wide property tax rate is 15.51 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $5,900 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Shelton, CT from Hartford?
Shelton is about 47 miles and a 66-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Shelton, CT from New York City?
Shelton is about 68 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 102-minute drive without traffic.
Is there a train station in Shelton, CT?
The closest passenger rail station we have on record is Derby-Shelton (Metro-North) about 3.1 miles from the center of Shelton. Check the operator's schedule for current service.
What is the population of Shelton, CT?
Shelton has about 42,805 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 30.6 square miles.
How many public schools are in Shelton, CT?
Shelton has 8 public schools in Shelton 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 Shelton, CT?
There are 80 homes for sale in Shelton right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
What is the nearest train station to Shelton?
Derby-Shelton station on Metro-North, 3.1 miles in a straight line. Ansonia and Milford stations are also nearby.
How far is Shelton from New Haven?
It is 14 miles and about 26 minutes by car.
Which towns border Shelton?
Derby, Trumbull, Monroe, Orange, Seymour, Milford, Stratford and Oxford.
Where can I pick apples in Shelton?
Beardsley's Cider Mill & Orchard at 278 Leavenworth Road offers pick-your-own apples on weekends in September and a farm store through December 24.
Is there a historic district in Shelton?
Yes. The Huntington Center Historic District covers the original colonial settlement and Huntington Green.
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Towns that border Shelton
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