Compare towns
Ashford vs Windsor Locks vs Union vs Thomaston
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).
Windsor Locks has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Union has the oldest population (median age 49.9).
Thomaston has the most kids (20.5% 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 | Windsor Locks | Union | Thomaston |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,226 |
12,579Highest |
944Lowest |
7,492 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +0.9% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 37.9±10.3Lowest 8% below CT |
41.4±2.6 about the CT average |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
41.5±7.7 about the CT average |
| Union and Thomaston 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% |
18.6%±3.4 CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
20.5%±5.2Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Thomaston 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% |
18.2%±2.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.6%±3.6 CT: 18.5% |
| Union and Ashford 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% |
28.6% CT: 42.5% |
24%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
34% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.4%±1.7Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.9%±1.8Highest CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
5.5%±2.1 CT: 7.1% |
| Windsor Locks and Thomaston 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 |
$81,205±$13kLowest 15% below CT |
$88,958±$14k 7% below CT |
$103,218±$15k 8% above CT |
| Ashford and Thomaston 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 |
$258,800±$14kLowest 29% below CT |
$330,400±$26k 10% below CT |
$282,600±$23k 23% 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 |
$1,394±$187Highest 6% below CT |
— | $1,037±$147Lowest 30% below CT |
| Windsor Locks 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 |
$3,688Lowest 44% below CT |
$4,793 28% below CT |
$5,915 11% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47%±26Lowest CT: 52.6% |
58.2%±16.8 CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
57.9%±22 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% CT: 10% |
10.9%Highest CT: 10% |
5.7% CT: 10% |
2.3%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 76.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
77.1% CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
77.7% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Highest 15 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 30% above CT |
22 minLowest 17% below CT |
32 min 20% above CT |
27 min about the CT average |
| Work from home | 19.3%±5.5Highest CT: 16% |
17.7%±3.7 CT: 16% |
9%±3.7 CT: 16% |
7.6%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
| Ashford and Windsor Locks 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 | — | #106 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Ashford School District | — | Union School District | Thomaston School District |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town | Thomaston High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 10.7 |
| 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.