Compare towns

Ashford vs Union vs Washington

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).
Union has the most homeowners (92.9%).
Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k 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.

MeasureAshfordUnionWashington
People
Population
4,226Highest
944Lowest
3,676
Median age
37.9±10.3Lowest
8% below CT
49.9±4.3Highest
21% above CT
49.9±5.5Highest
21% above CT
Kids under 18
18.5%±5.5
CT: 20.2%
16.9%±4.3Lowest
CT: 20.2%
19%±4.7Highest
CT: 20.2%
Washington 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%
24.5%±2.6
CT: 18.5%
26.9%±5.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
Washington and Union 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%
24%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
53.7%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.4%±1.7Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5%±3.3
CT: 7.1%
6.4%±3.3Highest
CT: 7.1%
Washington 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±$23kHighest
27% above CT
$88,958±$14kLowest
7% below CT
$101,549±$16k
6% above CT
Ashford and Washington 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
$330,400±$26kLowest
10% below CT
$660,200±$130kHighest
80% above CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,246±$208Highest
16% below CT
—
$1,204±$264Lowest
19% below CT
Ashford and Washington 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
$4,793
28% below CT
$4,709Lowest
29% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47%±26
CT: 52.6%
90%±64.7Highest
CT: 52.6%
26.1%±24Lowest
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%
5.7%
CT: 10%
9%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
76.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
92.9%Highest
CT: 66.5%
79%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
1971Lowest
4 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
30% above CT
32 min
20% above CT
26 minLowest
4% below CT
Work from home
19.3%±5.5
CT: 16%
9%±3.7Lowest
CT: 16%
20.1%±9Highest
CT: 16%
Washington 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 — #17 of 149 in CT
School district Ashford School District Union School District Regional School District 12
High school in town None in town None in town Shepaug Valley School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.1
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.