Compare towns

Barkhamsted vs Plainfield vs Sutton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Barkhamsted has the oldest population (median age 50.2).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Sutton has the most expensive homes ($523k 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.

MeasureBarkhamstedPlainfieldSutton
People
Population
3,678Lowest
15,141Highest
9,452
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
+4.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.2±3.3Highest
29% above U.S.
37±4.5Lowest
5% below U.S.
44.3±2.5
14% above U.S.
Kids under 18
16.4%±3.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
19.4%±2.6
U.S.: 22%
19.6%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
Sutton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
27.2%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
16.6%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.8%±3.2
U.S.: 17.2%
Barkhamsted and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
54.3%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
15%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
52.8%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.3%±2.7
U.S.: 6.4%
5.6%±1.8Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.9%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Plainfield and Barkhamsted are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$123,544±$9k
53% above U.S.
$76,993±$8kLowest
5% below U.S.
$147,125±$25kHighest
82% above U.S.
Sutton and Barkhamsted are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$368,000±$15k
11% above U.S.
$272,100±$16kLowest
18% below U.S.
$523,100±$47kHighest
57% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,164±$114Lowest
18% below U.S.
$1,204±$70Highest
15% below U.S.
$1,190±$401
16% below U.S.
Plainfield and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,354
104% above U.S.
$4,209Lowest
35% above U.S.
$6,763Highest
117% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
28.8%±35.4Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
39.8%±9.5
U.S.: 51.1%
47.5%±24.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Sutton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
73.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
89.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
2 yrs older than U.S.
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
1981Highest
1 yr newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
6% above U.S.
27 minLowest
about the U.S. average
30 minHighest
12% above U.S.
Work from home
20.3%±7.1
U.S.: 15.1%
10%±4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
22.7%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Sutton and Barkhamsted 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 #63 of 149 in CT #131 of 149 in CT #105 of 282 in MA
School district Barkhamsted School District Plainfield School District Sutton
High school in town None in town Plainfield High School Sutton High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.3Lowest
12.6Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.