Compare towns
Chaplin vs Quinebaug vs Sterling
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Quinebaug has the oldest population (median age 56.5).
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 | Quinebaug | Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,070 |
1,193Lowest |
3,629Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -1.7% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 43.7±4.8 6% above CT |
56.5±1Highest 37% above CT |
39.4±5.9Lowest 4% below CT |
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±4.2 CT: 20.2% |
0%±3.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
22.8%±5.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Sterling and Chaplin 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% |
29.1%±9.8Highest CT: 18.5% |
13%±3.8Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Quinebaug and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 25.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
10.3%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
18% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 10.1%±6.2Highest CT: 7.1% |
1.3%±2.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
3.7%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
| Chaplin and Sterling 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 |
$105,181±$36kHighest 10% above CT |
$102,695±$12k 7% above CT |
| Quinebaug and Sterling 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 |
$237,800±$66kLowest 35% below CT |
$283,400±$17kHighest 23% below CT |
| Sterling and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,473±$275 about the CT average |
— | — |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,524 32% below CT |
$3,703Lowest 44% below CT |
$4,551Highest 31% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 33.6%±27.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
0%±100Lowest CT: 52.6% |
32%±18.1 CT: 52.6% |
| Chaplin and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.4% CT: 10% |
1.3%Lowest CT: 10% |
8.3%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.9% CT: 66.5% |
97%Highest CT: 66.5% |
81.1%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 12 yrs newer than CT |
1960Lowest 7 yrs older than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 22% above CT |
26 minLowest about the CT average |
35 minHighest 34% above CT |
| Work from home | 18.1%±10 CT: 16% |
23.3%±17.9Highest CT: 16% |
11.6%±6.4Lowest CT: 16% |
| Quinebaug 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 | — | — | #119 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 | — | Sterling School District |
| High school in town | Parish Hill High School | — | 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.