Compare towns
Chaplin vs Harwinton vs Hampton vs Sterling
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).
Harwinton has the most expensive homes ($352k median).
Hampton has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
Sterling has the most kids (22.8% 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 | Chaplin | Harwinton | Hampton | Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,070 |
5,575Highest |
1,647Lowest |
3,629 |
| Median age | 43.7±4.8 6% above CT |
46.1±4.3 12% above CT |
51.5±5.3Highest 25% above CT |
39.4±5.9Lowest 4% below CT |
| Hampton and Harwinton 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% |
20%±4.2 CT: 20.2% |
19.7%±5.3 CT: 20.2% |
22.8%±5.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Sterling and Harwinton 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% |
22.1%±3.5 CT: 18.5% |
26.1%±2.1Highest CT: 18.5% |
13%±3.8Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Hampton and Harwinton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 25.4% CT: 42.5% |
40.3%Highest CT: 42.5% |
29.9% CT: 42.5% |
18%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 10.1%±6.2Highest CT: 7.1% |
6.7%±2.9 CT: 7.1% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
3.7%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
| Chaplin and Harwinton 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 |
$129,643±$18kHighest 35% above CT |
$109,167±$19k 14% above CT |
$102,695±$12k 7% above CT |
| Harwinton 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 |
$352,100±$16kHighest 4% below CT |
$295,800±$27k 19% below CT |
$283,400±$17k 23% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,473±$275 about the CT average |
$1,504±$200Highest about the CT average |
$1,285±$288Lowest 14% below CT |
— |
| Harwinton and Chaplin 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 |
$5,503Highest 17% below CT |
$4,364Lowest 34% below CT |
$4,551 31% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 33.6%±27.7 CT: 52.6% |
27.8%±27.9Lowest CT: 52.6% |
52.5%±51.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
32%±18.1 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% CT: 10% |
4.8%Lowest CT: 10% |
5.7% CT: 10% |
8.3%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.9% CT: 66.5% |
93%Highest CT: 66.5% |
90% CT: 66.5% |
81.1%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 12 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1980 13 yrs newer than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 22% above CT |
26 minLowest 3% below CT |
29 min 9% above CT |
35 minHighest 34% above CT |
| Work from home | 18.1%±10Highest CT: 16% |
13.5%±4.7 CT: 16% |
17.7%±5.1 CT: 16% |
11.6%±6.4Lowest CT: 16% |
| Chaplin and Hampton 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 | — | #34 of 149 in CT | — | #119 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 | Regional School District 10 | Hampton School District | Sterling 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 |
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.