Compare towns

Ashford vs Killingly vs Union vs Chaplin

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 highest household income ($122k).
Killingly has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Union has the oldest population (median age 49.9).
Chaplin has the most affordable homes ($255k median).

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.

MeasureAshfordKillinglyUnionChaplin
People
Population
4,226
17,867Highest
944Lowest
2,070
Median age
37.9±10.3Lowest
8% below CT
39.5±3
4% below CT
49.9±4.3Highest
21% above CT
43.7±4.8
6% above CT
Union and Chaplin 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%
19.8%±2.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
16.9%±4.3
CT: 20.2%
15.7%±4.2Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Killingly 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%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
24.5%±2.6Highest
CT: 18.5%
20.9%±4.4
CT: 18.5%
Union and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.3%Highest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
24%
CT: 42.5%
25.4%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.4%±1.7Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
5%±3.3
CT: 7.1%
10.1%±6.2Highest
CT: 7.1%
Chaplin and Killingly 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
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$88,958±$14k
7% below CT
$97,846±$14k
about the CT average
Ashford and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$334,800±$18kHighest
9% below CT
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$330,400±$26k
10% below CT
$255,200±$24kLowest
30% below CT
Ashford and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,246±$208
16% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
—
$1,473±$275Highest
about the CT average
Chaplin and Ashford 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
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$4,793
28% below CT
$4,524
32% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47%±26
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
90%±64.7Highest
CT: 52.6%
33.6%±27.7Lowest
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%Lowest
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
5.7%
CT: 10%
5.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
76.8%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
92.9%Highest
CT: 66.5%
82.9%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
1979
12 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
30% above CT
28 minLowest
5% above CT
32 min
20% above CT
32 min
22% above CT
Work from home
19.3%±5.5Highest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
9%±3.7Lowest
CT: 16%
18.1%±10
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 #136 of 149 in CT — —
School district Ashford School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Union School District Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11
High school in town None in town Killingly High School None in town Parish Hill High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.1Highest
—
7.5Lowest
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.