Compare towns
Ashford vs Union vs Windsor Locks vs Salem
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 oldest population (median age 49.9).
Windsor Locks has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Salem has the most kids (23.2% 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.
| Measure | Ashford | Union | Windsor Locks | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,226 |
944Lowest |
12,579Highest |
4,282 |
| Median age | 37.9±10.3Lowest 8% below CT |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
41.4±2.6 about the CT average |
40.9±5.4 about the CT average |
| Kids under 18 | 18.5%±5.5 CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.4 CT: 20.2% |
23.2%±5.1Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Salem and Windsor Locks 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% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.2%±2.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±4.7 CT: 18.5% |
| Union and Salem 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% |
28.6% CT: 42.5% |
50.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.4%±1.7Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
5.9%±1.8Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.8%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
| Windsor Locks and Salem 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 |
$88,958±$14k 7% below CT |
$81,205±$13kLowest 15% below CT |
$123,245±$8kHighest 29% above CT |
| Salem 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 |
$330,400±$26k 10% below CT |
$258,800±$14kLowest 29% below CT |
$403,600±$33kHighest 10% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,246±$208Lowest 16% below CT |
— | $1,394±$187 6% below CT |
$1,440±$150Highest 3% below CT |
| Salem and Windsor Locks 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 |
$3,688Lowest 44% below CT |
$6,668 about the CT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47%±26 CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
58.2%±16.8 CT: 52.6% |
32.1%±26Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Windsor Locks 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% |
10.9%Highest CT: 10% |
6.2% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 76.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
77.1% CT: 66.5% |
86.6% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 15 yrs newer than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 30% above CT |
32 min 20% above CT |
22 minLowest 17% below CT |
32 min 19% above CT |
| Work from home | 19.3%±5.5Highest CT: 16% |
9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
17.7%±3.7 CT: 16% |
18%±9.6 CT: 16% |
| Ashford and Salem 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 | — | #109 of 149 in CT | #11 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Ashford School District | Union School District | Windsor Locks School District | Salem School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Windsor Locks High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 8.9 |
— |
| 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.