Compare towns
Chester vs Haddam vs Killingly vs Chester 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 oldest population (median age 54).
Haddam has the most homeowners (86.7%).
Killingly has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Chester Center has the shortest commute (25 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.
| Measure | Chester | Haddam | Killingly | Chester Center |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,825 |
8,644 |
17,867Highest |
2,026Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | — | +10.4% CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 54±3.4Highest 31% above CT |
45.9±2.6 12% above CT |
39.5±3Lowest 4% below CT |
44.9±13.7 9% above CT |
| Kids under 18 | 17.5%±4.9Lowest CT: 20.2% |
21.3%±3.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
19.8%±2.3 CT: 20.2% |
17.6%±5.1 CT: 20.2% |
| Haddam and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±4 CT: 18.5% |
21%±2.9 CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±2.4Lowest CT: 18.5% |
33.7%±5.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Chester Center and Chester 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% |
47.6% CT: 42.5% |
22.9%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
40.1% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4%±2.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.2%±2.2 CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
5.7%±4.5Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Chester Center and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $109,191±$18k 14% above CT |
$114,426±$15kHighest 19% above CT |
$84,350±$8kLowest 12% below CT |
$89,375±$43k 7% below CT |
| Haddam and Chester 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 |
$379,700±$25k 3% above CT |
$288,600±$15kLowest 21% below CT |
$422,500±$48k 15% above CT |
| Chester and Chester Center are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,549±$247 4% above CT |
$1,567±$258Highest 5% above CT |
$1,044±$141Lowest 30% below CT |
$1,473±$358 about the CT average |
| Haddam and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,364 4% below CT |
$7,045Highest 6% above CT |
$3,922Lowest 41% below CT |
$5,867 12% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.4%±22.1 CT: 52.6% |
63.2%±47Highest CT: 52.6% |
42.8%±10.9Lowest CT: 52.6% |
49.1%±30.2 CT: 52.6% |
| Haddam and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 11.8% CT: 10% |
4.8%Lowest CT: 10% |
11.4% CT: 10% |
17.1%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.2% CT: 66.5% |
86.7%Highest CT: 66.5% |
71.6% CT: 66.5% |
69.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1969 2 yrs newer than CT |
1971Highest 4 yrs newer than CT |
1968 1 yr newer than CT |
1960Lowest 7 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 7% above CT |
31 minHighest 16% above CT |
28 min 5% above CT |
25 minLowest 7% below CT |
| Work from home | 18.3%±5.6 CT: 16% |
11.8%±3.3 CT: 16% |
11.1%±2.3Lowest CT: 16% |
19.9%±9.2Highest CT: 16% |
| Chester 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 | #25 of 149 in CT | #136 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | Chester School District | Regional School District 17 | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | — |
| High school in town | None in town | Haddam-Killingworth High School | Killingly High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.5Lowest |
11.1Highest |
— |
| 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.