Compare towns

Chester vs Franklin vs Deep River Center

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Chester has the most expensive homes ($442k median).
Franklin has the most kids (27.2% under 18).
Deep River Center has the shortest commute (20 min average).

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.

MeasureChesterFranklinDeep River Center
People
Population
3,825Highest
2,004Lowest
2,407
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
+11.3%
CT: +0.9%
Median age
54±3.4Highest
31% above CT
40.3±4.3Lowest
about the CT average
49±3.2
19% above CT
Chester and Deep River Center are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.5%±4.9
CT: 20.2%
27.2%±5.9Highest
CT: 20.2%
16.2%±4.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Franklin and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.8%±4Highest
CT: 18.5%
17.4%±1.9Lowest
CT: 18.5%
24.6%±4.1
CT: 18.5%
Chester and Deep River Center are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
47.9%Highest
CT: 42.5%
27.8%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
45%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4%±2.9
CT: 7.1%
4.2%±1.4Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.4%±2.9Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Franklin and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$109,191±$18kHighest
14% above CT
$105,000±$10k
10% above CT
$71,447±$23kLowest
25% below CT
Chester and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$442,200±$25kHighest
21% above CT
$326,200±$20kLowest
11% below CT
$334,600±$36k
9% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,549±$247Highest
4% above CT
$767±$529Lowest
48% below CT
$1,242±$224
17% below CT
Chester and Deep River Center are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,364Highest
4% below CT
$3,934Lowest
41% below CT
$5,194
22% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.4%±22.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
19.5%±18.4Lowest
CT: 52.6%
56.9%±23.6
CT: 52.6%
Chester and Deep River Center are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.8%Highest
CT: 10%
8.7%Lowest
CT: 10%
10.3%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.2%
CT: 66.5%
84.1%Highest
CT: 66.5%
54.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1969
2 yrs newer than CT
1973Highest
6 yrs newer than CT
1966Lowest
1 yr older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minHighest
7% above CT
27 min
about the CT average
20 minLowest
25% below CT
Work from home
18.3%±5.6
CT: 16%
6.8%±2.4Lowest
CT: 16%
22%±8.4Highest
CT: 16%
Deep River Center and Chester 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 #8 of 149 in CT — —
School district Chester School District Franklin School District —
High school in town None in town None in town —
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.