Compare towns
Chaplin vs Colebrook vs Norfolk vs Ashford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Chaplin has the most affordable homes ($255k median).
Colebrook has the most homeowners (91.6%).
Norfolk has the most expensive homes ($431k median).
Ashford has the youngest population (median age 37.9).
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 | Chaplin | Colebrook | Norfolk | Ashford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,070 |
1,494Lowest |
1,723 |
4,226Highest |
| Median age | 43.7±4.8 6% above CT |
52.1±5Highest 27% above CT |
48.2±7.4 17% above CT |
37.9±10.3Lowest 8% below CT |
| Colebrook and Norfolk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±4.2Lowest CT: 20.2% |
17.9%±3.9 CT: 20.2% |
15.8%±4.8 CT: 20.2% |
18.5%±5.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Ashford and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.9%±4.4 CT: 18.5% |
26%±4.2 CT: 18.5% |
28.8%±3.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.9%±3.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Norfolk and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 25.4%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
36.6% CT: 42.5% |
48.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
35.3% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 10.1%±6.2Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±1.8 CT: 7.1% |
2.1%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
4.4%±1.7 CT: 7.1% |
| Chaplin and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $97,846±$14k about the CT average |
$111,250±$17k 16% above CT |
$91,548±$16kLowest 4% below CT |
$121,926±$23kHighest 27% above CT |
| Ashford and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $255,200±$24kLowest 30% below CT |
$342,800±$19k 7% below CT |
$430,900±$54kHighest 17% above CT |
$334,800±$18k 9% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,473±$275Highest about the CT average |
$1,333±$626 10% below CT |
$1,190±$116Lowest 20% below CT |
$1,246±$208 16% below CT |
| Chaplin and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,524Lowest 32% below CT |
$6,211 7% below CT |
$6,065 9% below CT |
$6,982Highest 5% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 33.6%±27.7 CT: 52.6% |
42.1%±55 CT: 52.6% |
27.3%±17Lowest CT: 52.6% |
47%±26Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Ashford and Colebrook 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% |
8.3%Highest CT: 10% |
7.5% CT: 10% |
5.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.9% CT: 66.5% |
91.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
81.1% CT: 66.5% |
76.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 12 yrs newer than CT |
1960 7 yrs older than CT |
1938Lowest 29 yrs older than CT |
1982Highest 15 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 22% above CT |
34 min 29% above CT |
27 minLowest 3% above CT |
34 minHighest 30% above CT |
| Work from home | 18.1%±10 CT: 16% |
7%±3.8Lowest CT: 16% |
23.3%±4.7Highest CT: 16% |
19.3%±5.5 CT: 16% |
| Norfolk and Ashford 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 |
| School district | Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 | Colebrook School District | Norfolk School District | Ashford School District |
| High school in town | Parish Hill High School | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 7.5 |
— | — | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | 2 photos → | 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.