Compare towns

Brooklyn vs Columbia vs Durham vs Killingly

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Brooklyn has the most kids (20.6% under 18).
Columbia has the oldest population (median age 51.3).
Durham has the highest household income ($159k).
Killingly has the youngest population (median age 39.5).

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.

MeasureBrooklynColumbiaDurhamKillingly
People
Population
8,517
5,300Lowest
7,208
17,867Highest
Median age
45.6±2.5
11% above CT
51.3±10.3Highest
25% above CT
45.5±2.8
11% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
Columbia and Brooklyn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.6%±4.6Highest
CT: 20.2%
13.7%±4.3Lowest
CT: 20.2%
16.4%±3.6
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
Brooklyn and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.6%±2.9
CT: 18.5%
24.9%±5.4Highest
CT: 18.5%
17.4%±3.7Lowest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
Columbia and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
23.9%
CT: 42.5%
34.6%
CT: 42.5%
47.9%Highest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±1.7Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.8%±2.5
CT: 7.1%
3.6%±1.5Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Highest
CT: 7.1%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$96,207±$15k
about the CT average
$127,000±$30k
33% above CT
$158,857±$7kHighest
66% above CT
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
Durham and Columbia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$315,200±$28k
14% below CT
$361,500±$16k
about the CT average
$424,800±$23kHighest
16% above CT
$288,600±$15kLowest
21% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,125±$98
24% below CT
$966±$304Lowest
35% below CT
$1,154±$448Highest
22% below CT
$1,044±$141
30% below CT
Durham and Brooklyn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,538
32% below CT
$5,228
21% below CT
$7,998Highest
20% above CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
38.5%±19.3
CT: 52.6%
17.6%±16.2Lowest
CT: 52.6%
44.9%±28.4Highest
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
Durham and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
6.1%
CT: 10%
3.4%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.7%
CT: 66.5%
83.3%
CT: 66.5%
93.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
11 yrs newer than CT
1984Highest
17 yrs newer than CT
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the CT average
32 minHighest
21% above CT
23 minLowest
13% below CT
28 min
5% above CT
Work from home
10.7%±5.4Lowest
CT: 16%
21.6%±6Highest
CT: 16%
20.5%±6.4
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
Columbia and Durham 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 #113 of 149 in CT #114 of 149 in CT #88 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT
School district Brooklyn School District Columbia School District Regional School District 13 Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS
High school in town None in town None in town Coginchaug Regional High School Killingly High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
8.9Lowest
11.1Highest
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.