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Bolton

Bolton

Located in Tolland County

$470,243 Average Value
$249 Average Price per Sq Ft
5 Homes For Sale

What it’s like to live in Bolton

Bolton is a peaceful, rural town roughly 14 miles from Hartford that’s known for convenient interstate access, highly rated schools and a country lifestyle. Most homes here are on at least an acre, and they can range in price from the mid-$200,000s to the mid-$900,000s. Bolton Public Schools are well-regarded, and Bolton High School is a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School. Interstate 384 makes commuting into Hartford straightforward, and Hartford and the University of Connecticut are both around 20 minutes away, depending on traffic. The area has several parks and a few small businesses that help bring the community together.

Bolton was treated as part of Hartford in early colonial days, but became its own town in 1720.
Bolton was treated as part of Hartford in early colonial days, but became its own town in 1720.
Bolton Notch State Park has 95 acres of trails to hike and caves to explore.
Bolton Notch State Park has 95 acres of trails to hike and caves to explore.
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Common housing styles and higher prices than the surrounding areas

Bolton is a desirable area, where midcentury ranch-style, contemporary New Traditional houses with Tudor Revival, colonial and Craftsman influences, and even some Colonial-era homes usually sit on at least an acre of land. “It’s hard to find a home here,” says Mavourneen Costello, a Realtor with NextHome Elite Realty, who lives in Vernon, minutes from Bolton. “Buyers often wind up in bidding wars when so few are on the market. Residents who leave town — and I know a few — find it hard to move back, and they often want to.”

The overall median sale price here is in the lower $400,000s, slightly higher than in the nearby communities of Coventry, North Vernon and Manchester. Ranch-style homes here typically cost between the mid-$200,000s and the upper $400,000s, while multi-story homes usually range from the upper $400,000s to the mid-$900,000s.

Homes in Bolton will often have large front porches with a swing or rocking chair.
Homes in Bolton will often have large front porches with a swing or rocking chair.
Colonial homes are scattered through town but are most common near Bolton Green Historic District.
Colonial homes are scattered through town but are most common near Bolton Green Historic District.
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Bolton Public Schools get high ratings

Kids can attend Bolton Public Schools, a highly rated district with two schools. Bolton Center School teaches students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school has an active PTA that organizes events like book fairs, math night and a trunk-or-treat. Bolton High School is a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School that offers over 10 Advanced Placement courses and dual-enrollment courses through the University of Connecticut and Eastern Connecticut State University.

Students in Bolton attend Bolton Center School for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
Students in Bolton attend Bolton Center School for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
Holy Seed Christian Academy is an alternative in Bolton for parents who prefer private schools.
Holy Seed Christian Academy is an alternative in Bolton for parents who prefer private schools.
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Commutes to Hartford via I-384 and I-84 take around 20 minutes

Kym Nash, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage who’s sold homes here for four years, says if you live in Bolton, you get used to driving. Interstate 384 is the main highway through the area, and it connects to Interstate 84. The drive to East Hartford is 10 miles via the interstates, which can take around 15 minutes, and the 14-mile drive to Downtown Hartford takes around 20 minutes. But drive times can change depending on traffic, which Nash says is common. If you want to take the bus into Hartford, CT Transit has a park-and-ride lot on Morancy Road near I-384. In the other direction, the University of Connecticut is 13 miles away, which can take around 20 minutes. Bradley International Airport is around 28 miles away.

A rural vibe with small businesses and regular community events

Bolton has a rural atmosphere, and though you might be far from your neighbor, there are small businesses and events that build a sense of community. “Bolton is a place where people care about each other,” says Costello. “It’s a wonderful close-knit town where people embrace small businesses, like Georgina’s, which has been in business for 30 years, or Bolton Veterinary Hospital, where everyone goes for their animal care.” England True Value Hardware is another locally owned favorite. “They don’t just rent you something,” Costello says. “They help you out with it, and they answer your questions. It’s very family-oriented.”

Popular events throughout the year include:

  • The Annual Winter Craft and Vendor Faire at Bolton Center School
  • Story times and crafts at Bentley Memorial Library
  • Farm Day at Fish Family Farm Creamery

Georgina's is a popular Italian restaurant in Bolton.
Georgina's is a popular Italian restaurant in Bolton.
Parkside Pizza & Ice Cream is a favorite among diners in Bolton.
Parkside Pizza & Ice Cream is a favorite among diners in Bolton.
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Nearby amenities include parks and Manchester shopping

There are several parks in Bolton, including:

  • Indian Notch Park, which has a sandy beach on Bolton Lake
  • Herrick Park, which offers a playground and sports fields
  • Bolton Notch State Park, which is known for hiking and biking trails
For a day of shopping, you can head into Manchester, located 5 miles away. “Manchester is the shopping mecca,” Nash says. The Shoppes at Buckland Hills is an indoor mall here with over 120 stores, and the mall is surrounded by shopping centers. “There is every big-box store under the sun up there,” Nash says. The area also has grocery stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market.

Hikers have several trails to enjoy in Bolton Notch State Park.
Hikers have several trails to enjoy in Bolton Notch State Park.
Paddlers, swimmers and anglers all enjoy Lower Bolton Lake.
Paddlers, swimmers and anglers all enjoy Lower Bolton Lake.
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Annie Franklin
Written By
Annie Franklin
Ed Messenger
Photography Contributed By
Ed Messenger
Adam Lapallo
Video By
Adam Lapallo

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Tatiana and Bill Geist, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Bolton Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$420,000
Median Sale Price
$435,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$440,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
54
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$249

Area Facts

Number of Homes
1,755
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Median Year Built
1970
Months of Supply
1.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,931
On par with the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,658
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
42,253

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Bolton Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
4,696
Median Age
47
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
20.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.1%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$107,143
Significantly above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$132,853

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.4%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
44.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
17.6%
% Population in Labor Force
66.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
28''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

36 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

1 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Bolton