Compare towns
Derby vs Killingly vs Putnam vs Washington
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 affordable homes ($257k median).
Killingly has the youngest population (median age 39.5).
Putnam has the most renters (40.2% rent).
Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k 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.
| Measure | Derby | Killingly | Putnam | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 12,487 |
17,867Highest |
9,292 |
3,676Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— | — | — |
| Median age | 46.4±3.1 13% above CT |
39.5±3Lowest 4% below CT |
43.7±3 6% above CT |
49.9±5.5Highest 21% above CT |
| Washington and Derby 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%±2.3Highest CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.6 CT: 20.2% |
19%±4.7 CT: 20.2% |
| Killingly and Washington 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% |
18.5%±3.1Lowest CT: 18.5% |
26.9%±5.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Washington 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% CT: 42.5% |
20%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
53.7%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2 CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
6.4%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Washington 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 |
$84,350±$8k 12% below CT |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
$101,549±$16kHighest 6% above CT |
| Washington and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $256,700±$21kLowest 30% below CT |
$288,600±$15k 21% below CT |
$269,200±$11k 27% below CT |
$660,200±$130kHighest 80% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,452±$95Highest about the CT average |
$1,044±$141Lowest 30% below CT |
$1,149±$44 23% below CT |
$1,204±$264 19% below CT |
| Derby and Washington 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 |
$3,922 41% below CT |
$3,860Lowest 42% below CT |
$4,709 29% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.9%±12.6Highest CT: 52.6% |
42.8%±10.9 CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6 CT: 52.6% |
26.1%±24Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Derby and Killingly 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% CT: 10% |
11.5%Highest CT: 10% |
9%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 61.9% CT: 66.5% |
71.6% CT: 66.5% |
59.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
79%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 same as CT |
1968 1 yr newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1971Highest 4 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the CT average |
28 minHighest 5% above CT |
25 minLowest 6% below CT |
26 min 4% below CT |
| Work from home | 15.1%±4.8 CT: 16% |
11.1%±2.3 CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Lowest CT: 16% |
20.1%±9Highest CT: 16% |
| Washington 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 | #128 of 149 in CT | #17 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Derby School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | Putnam School District | Regional School District 12 |
| High school in town | Derby High School | Killingly High School | Putnam High School | Shepaug Valley School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7 |
11.1Highest |
9.5 |
9.1Lowest |
| 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.