Compare towns
Ashford vs Chaplin vs Prospect vs Union
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).
Chaplin has the most affordable homes ($255k median).
Prospect has the most kids (21.4% under 18).
Union has the oldest population (median age 49.9).
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.
| Measure | Ashford | Chaplin | Prospect | Union |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,226 |
2,070 |
9,458Highest |
944Lowest |
| Median age | 37.9±10.3Lowest 8% below CT |
43.7±4.8 6% above CT |
46.8±3.9 14% above CT |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
| Union and Prospect are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.5%±5.5 CT: 20.2% |
15.7%±4.2Lowest CT: 20.2% |
21.4%±4.1Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3 CT: 20.2% |
| Prospect and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.9%±3.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
20.9%±4.4 CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±4.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 35.3% CT: 42.5% |
25.4% CT: 42.5% |
40.3%Highest CT: 42.5% |
24%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.4%±1.7 CT: 7.1% |
10.1%±6.2Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.5%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
| Chaplin and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $121,926±$23k 27% above CT |
$97,846±$14k about the CT average |
$126,394±$18kHighest 32% above CT |
$88,958±$14kLowest 7% below CT |
| Prospect and Ashford 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 |
$255,200±$24kLowest 30% below CT |
$355,400±$21kHighest 3% below CT |
$330,400±$26k 10% below CT |
| Prospect and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,246±$208Lowest 16% below CT |
$1,473±$275 about the CT average |
$1,800±$433Highest 21% above CT |
— |
| Prospect and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,982Highest 5% above CT |
$4,524Lowest 32% below CT |
$6,504 about the CT average |
$4,793 28% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47%±26 CT: 52.6% |
33.6%±27.7Lowest CT: 52.6% |
45.3%±31.8 CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.4% CT: 10% |
5.4% CT: 10% |
3.2%Lowest CT: 10% |
5.7%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 76.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
82.9% CT: 66.5% |
93.5%Highest CT: 66.5% |
92.9% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Highest 15 yrs newer than CT |
1979 12 yrs newer than CT |
1974Lowest 7 yrs newer than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 30% above CT |
32 min 22% above CT |
28 minLowest 4% above CT |
32 min 20% above CT |
| Work from home | 19.3%±5.5Highest CT: 16% |
18.1%±10 CT: 16% |
10.1%±3.2 CT: 16% |
9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
| Ashford and Chaplin 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 | — | #50 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | Ashford School District | Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 | Regional School District 16 | Union School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Parish Hill High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 7.5 |
— | — |
| 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.