Compare towns
Chaplin vs Preston vs Union 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 most affordable homes ($255k median).
Preston has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Union has the most homeowners (92.9%).
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.
| Measure | Chaplin | Preston | Union | Hampton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,070 |
4,821Highest |
944Lowest |
1,647 |
| Median age | 43.7±4.8Lowest 6% above CT |
46.2±7 12% above CT |
49.9±4.3 21% above CT |
51.5±5.3Highest 25% above CT |
| Hampton and Union 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% |
18.7%±4.4 CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3 CT: 20.2% |
19.7%±5.3Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Hampton and Preston 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% |
23%±4.7 CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±2.6 CT: 18.5% |
26.1%±2.1Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Hampton and Union 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% |
28.5% CT: 42.5% |
24%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
29.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 10.1%±6.2Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.9%±2.4 CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Chaplin and Union 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 |
$116,648±$27kHighest 22% above CT |
$88,958±$14kLowest 7% below CT |
$109,167±$19k 14% above CT |
| Preston 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 |
$361,900±$13kHighest about the CT average |
$330,400±$26k 10% below CT |
$295,800±$27k 19% below CT |
| Preston and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,473±$275Highest about the CT average |
$1,433±$1k 4% below CT |
— | $1,285±$288Lowest 14% below CT |
| Chaplin and Preston 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 |
$4,749 29% below CT |
$4,793Highest 28% below CT |
$4,364Lowest 34% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 33.6%±27.7Lowest CT: 52.6% |
52.6%±12.5 CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
52.5%±51.5 CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.4% CT: 10% |
2.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
5.7%Highest CT: 10% |
5.7%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
91.7% CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
90% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 12 yrs newer than CT |
1970Lowest 3 yrs newer than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1980Highest 13 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 22% above CT |
22 minLowest 17% below CT |
32 min 20% above CT |
29 min 9% above CT |
| Work from home | 18.1%±10Highest CT: 16% |
10.3%±6 CT: 16% |
9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
17.7%±5.1 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 | — | #93 of 149 in CT | — | — |
| School district | Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 | Preston School District | Union School District | Hampton 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.