Compare towns

Columbia vs Thompson vs Killingly vs Hebron

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Thompson has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
Killingly has the most renters (28.4% rent).
Hebron has the most people working from home (27.2%).

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.

MeasureColumbiaThompsonKillinglyHebron
People
Population
5,300Lowest
9,337
17,867Highest
9,157
Median age
51.3±10.3
25% above CT
54.1±2.2Highest
32% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
45.1±2.7
10% above CT
Thompson and Columbia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.7%±4.3
CT: 20.2%
11.4%±2.8Lowest
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
20.8%±3.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
Hebron and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.9%±5.4Highest
CT: 18.5%
24.4%±4.3
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
18.6%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Columbia and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.6%
CT: 42.5%
21.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%
CT: 42.5%
52.7%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.8%±2.5
CT: 7.1%
2.9%±1.3Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±2.1Highest
CT: 7.1%
Hebron and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$127,000±$30k
33% above CT
$93,629±$18k
about the CT average
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$142,500±$23kHighest
49% above CT
Hebron and Columbia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$361,500±$16k
about the CT average
$291,900±$24k
20% below CT
$288,600±$15kLowest
21% below CT
$385,800±$15kHighest
5% above CT
Hebron and Columbia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$966±$304Lowest
35% below CT
$1,012±$344
32% below CT
$1,044±$141
30% below CT
$1,635±$241Highest
10% above CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,228
21% below CT
$3,822Lowest
42% below CT
$3,922
41% below CT
$8,263Highest
24% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
17.6%±16.2Lowest
CT: 52.6%
54%±18.7
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
61.5%±28.4Highest
CT: 52.6%
Hebron and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.1%
CT: 10%
5.9%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
4.1%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83.3%
CT: 66.5%
84.3%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
88.8%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984
17 yrs newer than CT
1963Lowest
4 yrs older than CT
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1986Highest
19 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
21% above CT
32 min
20% above CT
28 minLowest
5% above CT
33 minHighest
23% above CT
Work from home
21.6%±6
CT: 16%
13.1%±4.4
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3Lowest
CT: 16%
27.2%±4.6Highest
CT: 16%
Hebron and Columbia 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 #114 of 149 in CT #130 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT #28 of 149 in CT
School district Columbia School District Thompson School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Hebron School District · Regional School District 08
High school in town None in town Tourtellotte Memorial High School Killingly High School RHAM High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
7.9Lowest
11.1Highest
9.3
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.