Compare towns
Chaplin vs Hampden vs Hampton vs Ashford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Chaplin has the most affordable homes ($255k median).
Hampden has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Hampton has the most kids (19.7% under 18).
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 | Hampden | Hampton | Ashford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,070 |
4,946Highest |
1,647Lowest |
4,226 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -3.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
— | — |
| Median age | 43.7±4.8 12% above U.S. |
50.9±3.3 31% above U.S. |
51.5±5.3Highest 32% above U.S. |
37.9±10.3Lowest about the U.S. average |
| Hampton and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±4.2 U.S.: 22% |
14%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
19.7%±5.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.5%±5.5 U.S.: 22% |
| Hampton and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.9%±4.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
26.8%±5.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.1%±2.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.9%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Hampden and Hampton 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 U.S.: 35.7% |
36.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
29.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
35.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 10.1%±6.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.6%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±1.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Chaplin and Hampden 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 21% above U.S. |
$104,536±$16k 29% above U.S. |
$109,167±$19k 35% above U.S. |
$121,926±$23kHighest 51% above U.S. |
| Ashford 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 23% below U.S. |
$358,200±$16kHighest 8% above U.S. |
$295,800±$27k 11% below U.S. |
$334,800±$18k about the U.S. average |
| Hampden and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,473±$275Highest 4% above U.S. |
$1,132±$107Lowest 20% below U.S. |
$1,285±$288 9% below U.S. |
$1,246±$208 12% below U.S. |
| 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 45% above U.S. |
$6,181 98% above U.S. |
$4,364Lowest 40% above U.S. |
$6,982Highest 124% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 33.6%±27.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
36.9%±42.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
52.5%±51.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
47%±26 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hampton and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
90% U.S.: 65.2% |
76.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1966Lowest 14 yrs older than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 23% above U.S. |
26 minLowest about the U.S. average |
29 min 10% above U.S. |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.1%±10 U.S.: 15.1% |
9.9%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
17.7%±5.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
19.3%±5.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Ashford 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 | — | #199 of 282 in MA | — | #90 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 | Hampden-Wilbraham | Hampton 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 | None yet | 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.