Compare towns

Chaplin vs Columbia vs Hampton

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 youngest population (median age 43.7).
Columbia has the most expensive homes ($362k median).
Hampton has the most kids (19.7% 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.

MeasureChaplinColumbiaHampton
People
Population
2,070
5,300Highest
1,647Lowest
Median age
43.7±4.8Lowest
6% above CT
51.3±10.3
25% above CT
51.5±5.3Highest
25% above CT
Hampton and Columbia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.7%±4.2
CT: 20.2%
13.7%±4.3Lowest
CT: 20.2%
19.7%±5.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
Hampton and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.9%±4.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
24.9%±5.4
CT: 18.5%
26.1%±2.1Highest
CT: 18.5%
Hampton and Columbia 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%
34.6%Highest
CT: 42.5%
29.9%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
10.1%±6.2Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.8%±2.5
CT: 7.1%
1.9%±1.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Chaplin and Columbia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$97,846±$14kLowest
about the CT average
$127,000±$30kHighest
33% above CT
$109,167±$19k
14% above CT
Columbia and Hampton 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
$361,500±$16kHighest
about the CT average
$295,800±$27k
19% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,473±$275Highest
about the CT average
$966±$304Lowest
35% below CT
$1,285±$288
14% below CT
Chaplin and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,524
32% below CT
$5,228Highest
21% below CT
$4,364Lowest
34% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
33.6%±27.7
CT: 52.6%
17.6%±16.2Lowest
CT: 52.6%
52.5%±51.5Highest
CT: 52.6%
Hampton and Chaplin 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%
6.1%Highest
CT: 10%
5.7%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.9%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
83.3%
CT: 66.5%
90%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979Lowest
12 yrs newer than CT
1984Highest
17 yrs newer than CT
1980
13 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
22% above CT
32 min
21% above CT
29 minLowest
9% above CT
Work from home
18.1%±10
CT: 16%
21.6%±6Highest
CT: 16%
17.7%±5.1Lowest
CT: 16%
Columbia and Chaplin 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 — #114 of 149 in CT —
School district Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 Columbia School District Hampton School District
High school in town Parish Hill High School None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
7.5
— —
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.