The Connecticut Magazine Town Ratings are in and this year, they are doing things a little differently. Instead of sorting towns based on population, as they have done in the past, this year the magazine is sorting towns based on the median cost of a home in the first half of 2013. They've separately rated the state's largest cities. Based on that criteria, you can find New Fairfield in the "$225,000-$299,999" category. Overall in that category, New Fairfield tied with Litchfield for 14th place out of 41 towns.
Below is a category-by-category breakdown of the criteria and New Fairfield's score from 1 (best) to 41 (worst):
EDUCATION (13) : This category combines four elements: 2013 Mastery test results for 4th, 6th and 8th grades; results of the 2013 Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT); local SAT scores for 2012; and the 2012 graduation rate for public high school students.
ECONOMY (25) : The strength of the local economy was determined by the 2013 Public Investment Community score, compiled by the Office of Policy and Management, which rates all Connecticut towns under a formula based on population, per capita income, the adjusted equalized grand list per capita, the unemployment rate, the equalized mill rate and per capita aid to children. The higher the number, the more need there is in a community.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (38) : This category combines voter turnout in the 2012 election and the amount of local news coverage available from daily and weekly newspapers, websites and TV and radio stations.
LEISURE/CULTURE (20) : Includes the proximity to state parks and forests; number of colleges and universities; number of restaurants listed in Connecticut Magazine's 2013 Best Restaurants issue; and number of shops, theaters,museums and concert venues.
Now, we'd like to think we are doing our part to start bettering our civic engagement throughout the Town of New Fairfield.
What do you think of the Connecticut Magazine Ratings and New Fairfield's 2013 score? Comment Below!
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