Compare towns
Canterbury vs Derby vs Preston
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Canterbury has the oldest population (median age 48.4).
Derby has the most renters (38.1% rent).
Preston has the most kids (18.7% 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 | Canterbury | Derby | Preston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,124 |
12,487Highest |
4,821Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 48.4±4.5Highest 18% above CT |
46.4±3.1 13% above CT |
46.2±7Lowest 12% above CT |
| Canterbury and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15%±3.5 CT: 20.2% |
14.6%±2.9Lowest CT: 20.2% |
18.7%±4.4Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Preston and Canterbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 25.5%±4.4Highest CT: 18.5% |
21.1%±3.9Lowest CT: 18.5% |
23%±4.7 CT: 18.5% |
| Canterbury and Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 26.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
35.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
28.5% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.4%±2Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.9%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.9%±2.4 CT: 7.1% |
| Derby and Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $103,198±$6k 8% above CT |
$79,500±$11kLowest 17% below CT |
$116,648±$27kHighest 22% above CT |
| Preston and Canterbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $334,200±$12k 9% below CT |
$256,700±$21kLowest 30% below CT |
$361,900±$13kHighest about the CT average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $924±$367Lowest 38% below CT |
$1,452±$95Highest about the CT average |
$1,433±$1k 4% below CT |
| Derby and Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,140Lowest 38% below CT |
$5,510Highest 17% below CT |
$4,749 29% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±13Lowest CT: 52.6% |
53.9%±12.6Highest CT: 52.6% |
52.6%±12.5 CT: 52.6% |
| Derby and Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.9% CT: 10% |
10.8%Highest CT: 10% |
2.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.7% CT: 66.5% |
61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
91.7%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Highest 8 yrs newer than CT |
1967Lowest same as CT |
1970 3 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 20% above CT |
27 min about the CT average |
22 minLowest 17% below CT |
| Work from home | 14.7%±5.4 CT: 16% |
15.1%±4.8Highest CT: 16% |
10.3%±6Lowest CT: 16% |
| Derby and Canterbury 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 | #125 of 149 in CT | #138 of 149 in CT | #93 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Canterbury School District | Derby School District | Preston School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Derby High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.7 |
— |
| 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.