Compare towns

Ashford vs Canton vs Killingly vs Franklin

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ashford has the youngest population (median age 37.9).
Canton has the most people working from home (24.8%).
Killingly has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Franklin has the most kids (27.2% under 18).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureAshfordCantonKillinglyFranklin
People
Population
4,226
10,144
17,867Highest
2,004Lowest
Median age
37.9±10.3Lowest
8% below CT
45.3±5.2Highest
10% above CT
39.5±3
4% below CT
40.3±4.3
about the CT average
Canton and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.5%±5.5Lowest
CT: 20.2%
22.6%±4
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
27.2%±5.9Highest
CT: 20.2%
Franklin and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.9%±3.7
CT: 18.5%
23.5%±4.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
17.4%±1.9Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Canton and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.3%
CT: 42.5%
57.2%Highest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
27.8%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.4%±1.7
CT: 7.1%
2.9%±1.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.2%±1.4
CT: 7.1%
Killingly and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$121,926±$23kHighest
27% above CT
$117,991±$20k
23% above CT
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$105,000±$10k
10% above CT
Ashford and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$334,800±$18k
9% below CT
$395,300±$24kHighest
8% above CT
$288,600±$15kLowest
21% below CT
$326,200±$20k
11% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,246±$208
16% below CT
$1,403±$358Highest
6% below CT
$1,044±$141
30% below CT
$767±$529Lowest
48% below CT
Canton and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,982
5% above CT
$7,232Highest
9% above CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$3,934
41% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47%±26
CT: 52.6%
59.9%±28.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
19.5%±18.4Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Canton and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
5.7%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
8.7%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
76.8%
CT: 66.5%
83.7%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
84.1%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1973
6 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
30% above CT
29 min
9% above CT
28 min
5% above CT
27 minLowest
about the CT average
Work from home
19.3%±5.5
CT: 16%
24.8%±6.1Highest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
6.8%±2.4Lowest
CT: 16%
Canton and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #90 of 149 in CT #22 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT —
School district Ashford School District Canton School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Franklin School District
High school in town None in town Canton High School Killingly High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.6Lowest
11.1Highest
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet None yet

CT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.