Compare towns
Chaplin vs Norwich vs Windham vs Franklin
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 people working from home (18.1%).
Norwich has the shortest commute (24 min average).
Windham has the most affordable homes ($210k median).
Franklin has the most kids (27.2% 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 | Norwich | Windham | Franklin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,070 |
39,973Highest |
23,961 |
2,004Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -0.9% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 43.7±4.8Highest 6% above CT |
38.5±1.7 6% below CT |
33.7±1.9Lowest 18% below CT |
40.3±4.3 about the CT average |
| Chaplin and Franklin 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% |
20.9%±1.8 CT: 20.2% |
20.1%±2.4 CT: 20.2% |
27.2%±5.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Franklin and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.9%±4.4Highest CT: 18.5% |
16.9%±1.7 CT: 18.5% |
14.3%±1.9Lowest CT: 18.5% |
17.4%±1.9 CT: 18.5% |
| Chaplin and Franklin 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% |
23.1% CT: 42.5% |
22.7%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
27.8%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 10.1%±6.2 CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.2 CT: 7.1% |
15.2%±1.8Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.2%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Windham and Chaplin 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 |
$65,024±$5k 32% below CT |
$55,736±$5kLowest 42% below CT |
$105,000±$10kHighest 10% above CT |
| Franklin and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $255,200±$24k 30% below CT |
$242,300±$11k 34% below CT |
$209,800±$9kLowest 43% below CT |
$326,200±$20kHighest 11% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,473±$275Highest about the CT average |
$1,253±$68 16% below CT |
$1,107±$69 26% below CT |
$767±$529Lowest 48% below CT |
| Chaplin and Norwich 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 |
$4,703Highest 29% below CT |
$4,633 30% below CT |
$3,934Lowest 41% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 33.6%±27.7 CT: 52.6% |
56.2%±7.2 CT: 52.6% |
57.1%±8.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
19.5%±18.4Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Windham and Norwich 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% |
16.7% CT: 10% |
20.7%Highest CT: 10% |
8.7% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.9% CT: 66.5% |
53.8% CT: 66.5% |
47.4%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
84.1%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 12 yrs newer than CT |
1957 10 yrs older than CT |
1956Lowest 11 yrs older than CT |
1973 6 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 22% above CT |
24 minLowest 9% below CT |
24 min 8% below CT |
27 min about the CT average |
| Work from home | 18.1%±10Highest CT: 16% |
7.2%±2 CT: 16% |
6.1%±1.7Lowest CT: 16% |
6.8%±2.4 CT: 16% |
| Chaplin and Norwich 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 | — | #133 of 149 in CT | #143 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Norwich School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | Franklin School District |
| High school in town | Parish Hill High School | Norwich Free Academy | Windham High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 7.5Lowest |
14.8Highest |
9.8 |
— |
| 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.