$631,060Average Value$315Average Price per Sq Ft14Homes For Sale
Small Connecticut town near New Haven
With its well-rated schools, nature preserves and quiet subdivisions, Orange — named after a Dutch prince, not the fruit — attracts many Connecticut families looking to settle down. The suburban town of 14,000 people is located just west of New Haven. “It’s small enough that you know everyone,” says Realtor Maribeth Lightowler, whose family has lived in Orange for 35-plus years. “If a family is in need, people reach out to help.” With dozens of retailers along Boston Post Road, New Haven 7 miles away and New York City 75 miles southwest, there are many cultural and employment opportunities nearby. “I’ve sold homes to my friend's children, and now they want to raise their children in Orange,” Lightowler says. “It’s not unusual to see multigenerational families here.”
Orange has houses of worship that include stunning architectural design.
Orange sits high above the Housatonic River and offers outstanding views.
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Classic suburban styles in spacious subdivisions
Most properties in Orange are single-family homes in spread-out subdivisions with wooded lots. “There are quiet neighborhoods in Orange where kids can ride their bikes down the street, and people walk their dogs, waving to neighbors,” Lightowler says. Most homes were built in the second half of the 20th century, though a few were constructed after 2000. Ranch-style houses, Cape Cods and bi-levels are common. The median home price is about $560,000, higher than the national figure and also above the medians for neighboring towns like Milford and West Haven. However, prices start as low as $250,000 for condo units or cottages, while contemporary builds with over 4,000 square feet of living space can sell for more than $1 million.
Orange offers many home styles with available porches and large lots.
Larger homes in Orange are tucked away and surrounded by stunning greenery.
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Highly rated local school systems and a University of New Haven campus
The Orange School District has an A-minus grade from Niche. Public-school students in Orange attend the Mary L. Tracy School for pre-K and kindergarten before continuing to one of the town’s three elementary schools. After sixth grade, children will advance to the Amity Regional School District, which has an A grade from Niche. Most kids are zoned for Amity Middle School-Orange and Amity Regional High School, which is about 5 miles north. The University of New Haven has a campus in Orange, and the main campus is about 4 miles away in West Haven. Other schools, including Yale University and Southern Connecticut State University, are nearby in New Haven.
Amity Middle School: Orange has 355 students in grades 7-8.
Check out the Amity Regional High School at 25 Newton Rd, Woodbridge, CT 06525.
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Operational farms and preserved land like the Racebrook Tract
Natural areas and farmland weave through Orange’s suburban landscape. Locals can taste seasonal ice cream flavors at Maple View Farm Ice Cream and purchase organic produce and homemade goods at the Orange Farmers Market on Thursdays. For outdoor recreation, the Orange Triangle Trail along the Wepawaug River connects hikers to the Kowal Nature Preserve, the Whitney Tract and Wepawaug Conservation Area. On the northern side of town, the Racebrook Tract has over 400 acres of hardwood and white pine forests with almost 4 miles of trails following local creeks. Just next to the tract is the private Race Brook Country Club, which has served its members for over 100 years. Facilities include 27 holes of golf, a practice green and a driving range. Orange is in southern Connecticut, which experiences humid summers and moderately cold summers. Snow is sporadic, with 16 inches of average annual snowfall.
Race Brook Country Club in Orange offers golfing on luxurious courses.
The Farmer's Market in Orange takes place at the community center.
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The Orange Center Historic District holds community events
The Orange Historic District displays this town’s 19th-century roots. The Orange Congregational Church, constructed in 1810, borders the town green, and the nearby Stone-Otis House has been converted into a local history museum. The town green is also the center of Orange’s events. “The city has a parade at Christmastime where everybody decorates their tractors, and you wouldn’t believe how many people show up to that,” Lightowler says. She notes that the town’s volunteer fire department is also actively involved with local celebrations, including an annual carnival and a haunted house. "At Christmas, they decorate their truck, and Santa rides on top of it while the sirens go,” Lightowler says. Just down Orange Center Road, High Plains Community Center hosts the Orange County Fair each September, with truck pulls and pig races.
The historical district in Orange is steeped in American history.
The Orange Country Fairgrounds host annual events all year long.
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Dozens of retailers along Boston Post Road
Boston Post Road is lined with restaurants and retailers stretching from New Haven to Milford. In Orange, the selection of stores includes Target and The Home Depot, and continuing down the road to Milford takes drivers to Costco and Whole Foods. New Haven-style pizza and Italian food are popular options, but chain and local restaurants serve everything from Chinese cuisine to Southern barbecue along this stretch. Orange continues to see new development along this corridor, including a FedEx Freight Distribution Center and more industry. Orange’s Conservation Commission is working on developing a new town plan for 2025 with feedback from residents, including ideas for sustainable growth and land conservation.
Trader Joe's in Orange is always a town favorite, offering groceries at great prices.
Orange shoppers who demand larger grocery runs can visit Costco.
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Getting to New York City and nearby employers in New Haven
Nearby, New Haven is home to major employers, including Yale University, Yale New Haven Hospital and several biotechnology companies. West Haven also has a VA hospital just east of Orange. Interstate 95 takes drivers to New Haven in under 20 minutes or New York City in under 2 hours. However, commuters headed to New York can take a Metro-North train into the city and avoid the traffic. Parking is available at the Milford or West Haven train stations, with travel into New York City via the New Haven Line. Riders can also connect to major hub airports like John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia, though the smaller Tweed New Haven Airport offers domestic flights closer to home.
Lowest number of crimes since 2021
Orange has a CAP Index crime score of 2, meaning the crime risk is lower compared to the national average of 4. In 2024, the Orange Police Department reported a total of 550 crimes, including 69 violent crimes and 481 property crimes. This was the lowest number of crimes reported since 2021, and of the total property crimes reported, 452 of them were larceny related.
Written By
Faith Wakefield
Photography Contributed By
Stephen Mihalchik
Video By
Matthew Bloch
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Betsy Anderson,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in Orange, CT sell after 58 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Orange, CT over the last 12 months is $580,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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