Bethlehem center
36 Main St South, Bethlehem, CT 06751
Living in Bethlehem, Connecticut
Bethlehem is a small town in the Litchfield Hills of western Connecticut, bordered by Woodbury, Washington, Morris and Watertown. Its post office draws thousands of Christmas cards each December for the town's namesake postmark, and its town center is a historic district built around the Bethlehem Green.
Bethlehem at a glance
- $465,000Median single-family sale, Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
- 23.57 millsReal estate tax rate, fiscal year 2026–27
- 20–25 minDrive to Waterbury
- LitchfieldCounty · Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Bethlehem's zip code
Bethlehem is served by the 06751 zip code.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem center | 06751 | The historic Bethlehem Green and Main Street South, where the town hall, library and post office sit. |
Bethlehem covers about 19.4 square miles and borders Morris, Watertown, Woodbury and Washington. It was incorporated in 1787.
Things to do in Bethlehem, CT
Start with Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden and Bethlehem Land Trust preserves, then 2 more below.
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden
An 1760 saltbox home on the Bethlehem Green, later expanded and furnished by the Ferriday family, with formal gardens open to the public. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and operated as a museum property.
9 Main St North, Bethlehem, CT
Bethlehem Land Trust preserves
The land trust maintains hiking trails on several preserves around town, including the Bellamy Preserve near the Bellamy-Ferriday House. Trails are open to the public year-round.
110 Green Hill Rd, Bethlehem, CT
Plan a visitMarch Farm
A working farm with pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries, peaches and apples across roughly 50 acres, plus a farm stand.
160 Munger Ln, Bethlehem, CT
Bethlehem post office Christmas postmark
Each December, the Bethlehem post office hand-cancels Christmas cards with a holiday-themed postmark, a tradition that draws mail from around the country.
Bethlehem Post Office, Main St South, Bethlehem, CT
More worth a visit
- Abbey of Regina LaudisA Benedictine monastery founded in 1947, with a gift shop and grounds that are open to visitors at set hours.
A little history
Bethlehem was incorporated in 1787 and is part of the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region.
Joseph Bellamy, a theologian who trained ministers from the Bellamy-Ferriday House site, served as the town's pastor for about 50 years in the 18th century.
The Bethlehem Green Historic District, with 63 contributing properties, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Bethlehem
Bethlehem's open land is mostly working farms, land-trust preserves and stretches of the Naugatuck State Forest system rather than public lakes.
- Bellamy PreserveLand Trust trails adjoining the Bellamy-Ferriday House grounds.More information
- March FarmPick-your-own orchard and berry fields open seasonally.
Where to eat in Bethlehem: restaurants and coffee
3 places in Bethlehem to try, including restaurant and restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
The Woodward House
Restaurant
A restaurant on the Bethlehem Green set in a 1740 saltbox house.
4 The Green, Bethlehem, CT
Nick's Country Kitchen
Restaurant
A Main Street diner-style restaurant serving breakfast and lunch.
Main St South, Bethlehem, CT
Bethlehem Vineyard and Winery
Winery
A family-run winery producing wine from estate-grown grapes and locally sourced fruit.
Bethlehem, CT
Walkability and getting around Bethlehem
Bethlehem center around the Green has sidewalks connecting the town hall, library, post office and a handful of Main Street businesses, but most of the town is rural and requires a car.
Drive times
- Waterbury, about 12 miles20–25 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 45 miles55–65 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
There is no fixed-route public transit serving Bethlehem; the nearest Metro-North or Waterbury Branch rail service is in Waterbury.
Bethlehem property taxes and home prices
Bethlehem's 2026–27 mill rate is 23.57, which is $23.57 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Some areas also pay a fire or special district tax on top of that. Connecticut taxes a home at 70% of its appraised value, so every $100,000 of value costs about $1,650 a year in taxes at 23.57 mills.
What homes in Bethlehem sell for
| 12 months ending | Single-family | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | $465,00035 sales | – |
October to September, state records. Text us for this month's sales.
Bethlehem's mill rate for 2026–27
23.57mills, fiscal year 2026–27
- Town of Bethlehem23.57 mills
- Kasson Grove Property Owners Association (where it applies)+4.25 mills
- Motor vehicles23.57 mills
- Next revaluationOctober 1, 2028
How Bethlehem's mill rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Town rate |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 27.50 |
| 2023–24 | 27.49 |
| 2024–25 | 21.75 |
| 2025–26 | 22.58 |
| 2026–27 | 23.57 |
Bethlehem's town rate went from 27.50 in 2022–23 to 23.57 in 2026–27. Next revaluation: October 1, 2028.
Look up a Bethlehem property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkLand records, deeds and vital records
- Assessor's officeQuestions about an assessment: 203-266-7510
Buying a home in Bethlehem
What we check on a Bethlehem purchase: CHFA limits, the flood map and private well & septic.
First-time buyer programs in Bethlehem
CHFA sets Bethlehem's income and price limits for Litchfield County. We check them with you before you shop.
See CHFA's limits mapCheck the flood zone first
Parts of Bethlehem near the Nonnewaug and Weekeepeemee rivers can fall within FEMA flood zones; buyers near these waterways should check the flood map before making an offer. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for BethlehemExpect a well and septic system
Most of Bethlehem is served by private wells and septic systems rather than town water and sewer. Budget for a well-flow and septic inspection as part of your due diligence.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. CHFA and USDA limits and eligibility are set by those agencies and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Bethlehem?
Send us a Bethlehem address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Bethlehem: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Bethlehem: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasNo natural gas service in most of town
- WaterMostly private wells
- Sewer or septicMostly septic; town water and sewer are limited to small areas
- Trash and recyclingBethlehem does not provide town-wide curbside collection; most residents contract with a private hauler or use the transfer station.
Town offices and contacts
Bethlehem Town Hall is at 36 Main St South, Bethlehem, CT 06751. Main line: 203-266-7510. Each link opens that office's page on the town's website.
- Town HallMain line and town website203-266-7510
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and town meeting notices203-266-7510
- AssessorProperty values and assessments203-266-7510
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment203-266-7510
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections203-266-7510
- Parks & RecreationTown parks and recreation programs203-266-7510
- Public WorksRoads and town infrastructure203-266-7510
- Bethlehem Public LibraryPublic library at 32 Main St S203-266-7510
- Region 14 SchoolsSchool district serving Bethlehem and Woodbury
Bethlehem, CT FAQ: taxes, prices and town services
The short answers. Call or text us for the long ones.
What is the mill rate in Bethlehem, CT?
Bethlehem's 2026–27 mill rate is 23.57, which is $23.57 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Some areas also pay a fire or special district tax on top of that. The motor vehicle rate is 23.57 mills.
How much are property taxes on a $500,000 home in Bethlehem?
Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of appraised value, so a $500,000 home would be assessed at about $350,000. At 23.57 mills that's about $8,250 a year, or about $687 a month, before any district tax. The actual bill depends on the town assessor's appraisal, not the price you pay.
What is the median home price in Bethlehem, CT?
In the 12 months from October 2024 through September 2025, the median single-family sale in Bethlehem was $465,000 across 35 sales.
When is Bethlehem's next revaluation?
Bethlehem's next revaluation takes effect October 1, 2028, on the state's schedule. The new assessments first show up on the tax bills due in July 2029.
What county is Bethlehem, CT in?
Bethlehem is in Litchfield County, in the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region.
What is Bethlehem's zip code?
Bethlehem uses zip code 06751.
Is there curbside trash pickup in Bethlehem?
No. Bethlehem does not run town-wide curbside collection; residents typically use a private hauler or the transfer station.
How far is Bethlehem from Waterbury?
Bethlehem borders Watertown and is about 12 miles, or 20–25 minutes, from Waterbury.
Does Bethlehem have natural gas service?
No, most of Bethlehem has no natural gas service; homes rely on other heating fuel sources.
Why do people mail Christmas cards from Bethlehem?
The town's post office hand-cancels holiday mail with a Bethlehem Christmas postmark each December, a tradition that draws cards from around the country.
Towns near Bethlehem
Neighbors of Bethlehem in Litchfield County and nearby. All Litchfield County towns.
Sources
- Mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, "Mill Rates for FY 2014–2027," data.ct.gov. Revaluation year: OPM, Revaluation Schedule 2023–2037.
- Home sales: "Real Estate Sales 2001–2024 GL," data.ct.gov. Medians use Bethlehem sales recorded October 1 to September 30, leaving out sales the town flagged as non-market.
- Bethlehem, Connecticut - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Bethlehem CT - Contact Us: bethlehemct.org
- Town of Bethlehem CT - Town Offices: bethlehemct.org
- Bethlehem Land Trust: bethlehemlandtrustct.org
- Bethlehem Public Library: bethlehemlibraryct.org
- File:BethlehemCT BethlehemGreenHD 2.jpg - Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Walkability: Walk Score®, Bike Score® and Transit Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.