Compare towns
Derby vs Hampton vs Winchester vs Plainville
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Derby has the most renters (38.1% rent).
Hampton has the most homeowners (90%).
Winchester has the most affordable homes ($250k median).
Plainville has the shortest commute (21 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 | Derby | Hampton | Winchester | Plainville |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 12,487 |
1,647Lowest |
10,284 |
17,551Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— | — | — |
| Median age | 46.4±3.1 13% above CT |
51.5±5.3Highest 25% above CT |
49.1±6.2 19% above CT |
44.3±1.5Lowest 8% above CT |
| Hampton and Winchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±2.9Lowest CT: 20.2% |
19.7%±5.3Highest CT: 20.2% |
15.4%±2.9 CT: 20.2% |
15.6%±2.3 CT: 20.2% |
| Hampton and Plainville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.1%±3.9 CT: 18.5% |
26.1%±2.1 CT: 18.5% |
27.4%±5.1Highest CT: 18.5% |
20.1%±2.8Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Winchester and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 35.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
29.9% CT: 42.5% |
27.8%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
30% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2 CT: 7.1% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
4.2%±1.7 CT: 7.1% |
6.2%±1.6Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Plainville and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $79,500±$11k 17% below CT |
$109,167±$19kHighest 14% above CT |
$66,519±$12kLowest 31% below CT |
$84,343±$7k 12% below CT |
| Hampton and Plainville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $256,700±$21k 30% below CT |
$295,800±$27kHighest 19% below CT |
$249,500±$17kLowest 32% below CT |
$254,000±$14k 31% below CT |
| Hampton and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,452±$95Highest about the CT average |
$1,285±$288 14% below CT |
$1,174±$116 21% below CT |
$1,126±$147Lowest 24% below CT |
| Derby and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,510Highest 17% below CT |
$4,364Lowest 34% below CT |
$4,780 28% below CT |
$4,798 28% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.9%±12.6Highest CT: 52.6% |
52.5%±51.5 CT: 52.6% |
48.9%±15.8 CT: 52.6% |
40.3%±12.4Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Derby and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.8% CT: 10% |
5.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
12.8%Highest CT: 10% |
6.5% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
90%Highest CT: 66.5% |
65.8% CT: 66.5% |
67.7% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 same as CT |
1980Highest 13 yrs newer than CT |
1955Lowest 12 yrs older than CT |
1971 4 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the CT average |
29 minHighest 9% above CT |
26 min about the CT average |
21 minLowest 20% below CT |
| Work from home | 15.1%±4.8 CT: 16% |
17.7%±5.1Highest CT: 16% |
6.9%±2.7Lowest CT: 16% |
10.7%±2 CT: 16% |
| Hampton and Derby 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 | #138 of 149 in CT | — | #97 of 149 in CT | #89 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Derby School District | Hampton School District | Explorations District · Regional School District 07 | Judicial Centers · Plainville School District |
| High school in town | Derby High School | None in town | Northwestern Regional High School | Plainville High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7Lowest |
— | 9.7Lowest |
11.4Highest |
| 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.