Compare towns

Derby vs Killingly vs Brooklyn vs Orange

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).
Killingly has the youngest population (median age 39.5).
Brooklyn has the shortest commute (27 min average).
Orange has the most expensive homes ($492k 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.

MeasureDerbyKillinglyBrooklynOrange
People
Population
12,487
17,867Highest
8,517Lowest
14,315
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.5%
CT: +0.9%
— — —
Median age
46.4±3.1Highest
13% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
45.6±2.5
11% above CT
45.6±2.4
11% above CT
Derby and Brooklyn 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%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
20.6%±4.6
CT: 20.2%
22.9%±2.5Highest
CT: 20.2%
Orange and Brooklyn 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%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
17.6%±2.9Lowest
CT: 18.5%
23%±2.7Highest
CT: 18.5%
Orange and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.6%
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
23.9%
CT: 42.5%
59.4%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.9%±2Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.7Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.5%±2
CT: 7.1%
Derby and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$79,500±$11kLowest
17% below CT
$84,350±$8k
12% below CT
$96,207±$15k
about the CT average
$142,325±$10kHighest
49% above CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$256,700±$21kLowest
30% below CT
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$315,200±$28k
14% below CT
$491,500±$17kHighest
34% above CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,452±$95
about the CT average
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,125±$98
24% below CT
$2,172±$161Highest
46% above CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,510
17% below CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$4,538
32% below CT
$8,988Highest
35% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.9%±12.6
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
38.5%±19.3Lowest
CT: 52.6%
64%±12.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
Orange and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.8%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
2.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
3.9%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
61.9%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
81.7%
CT: 66.5%
89.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967
same as CT
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1978Highest
11 yrs newer than CT
1964Lowest
3 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the CT average
28 minHighest
5% above CT
27 minLowest
about the CT average
28 min
4% above CT
Work from home
15.1%±4.8
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
10.7%±5.4Lowest
CT: 16%
15.6%±2.9Highest
CT: 16%
Orange 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 #136 of 149 in CT #113 of 149 in CT #38 of 149 in CT
School district Derby School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Brooklyn School District Orange School District · Regional School District 05
High school in town Derby High School Killingly High School None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.7Lowest
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.