Compare towns

Cromwell vs Windsor Locks vs Plainfield vs Colchester

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Cromwell has the most homeowners (82.4%).
Windsor Locks has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Plainfield has the youngest population (median age 37).
Colchester has the most expensive homes ($367k median).

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.

MeasureCromwellWindsor LocksPlainfieldColchester
People
Population
14,334
12,579Lowest
15,141
15,648Highest
Median age
43.5±2.5Highest
6% above CT
41.4±2.6
about the CT average
37±4.5Lowest
10% below CT
43.5±3.8Highest
6% above CT
Kids under 18
19.1%±3.1
CT: 20.2%
18.6%±3.4Lowest
CT: 20.2%
19.4%±2.6
CT: 20.2%
20.7%±2.8Highest
CT: 20.2%
Colchester and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22%±3.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
18.2%±2.7
CT: 18.5%
16.6%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
20.3%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
Cromwell and Colchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
49.2%
CT: 42.5%
28.6%
CT: 42.5%
15%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
49.7%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.4%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
5.6%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
4.6%±1.3Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Cromwell and Windsor Locks are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$110,596±$10k
15% above CT
$81,205±$13k
15% below CT
$76,993±$8kLowest
20% below CT
$122,390±$14kHighest
28% above CT
Colchester and Cromwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$325,200±$22k
11% below CT
$258,800±$14kLowest
29% below CT
$272,100±$16k
26% below CT
$366,800±$16kHighest
about the CT average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,628±$154Highest
9% above CT
$1,394±$187
6% below CT
$1,204±$70Lowest
19% below CT
$1,474±$153
about the CT average
Cromwell and Colchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,137
8% below CT
$3,688Lowest
44% below CT
$4,209
37% below CT
$6,212Highest
6% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
61%±11.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
58.2%±16.8
CT: 52.6%
39.8%±9.5Lowest
CT: 52.6%
44.4%±10.4
CT: 52.6%
Cromwell and Windsor Locks are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%
CT: 10%
10.9%Highest
CT: 10%
8.7%
CT: 10%
3.9%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.4%Highest
CT: 66.5%
77.1%
CT: 66.5%
73.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
76.5%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
1984Highest
17 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 min
11% below CT
22 minLowest
17% below CT
27 min
about the CT average
30 minHighest
14% above CT
Work from home
18.4%±4Highest
CT: 16%
17.7%±3.7
CT: 16%
10%±4Lowest
CT: 16%
18.4%±3.8Highest
CT: 16%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #69 of 149 in CT #109 of 149 in CT #131 of 149 in CT #64 of 149 in CT
School district Cromwell School District Windsor Locks School District Plainfield School District Colchester School District
High school in town Cromwell High School Windsor Locks High School Plainfield High School Bacon Academy
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1Highest
8.9Lowest
10.3
9.8
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.