Compare towns

Derby vs Ledyard vs Plainfield

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 people working from home (15.1%).
Ledyard has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Plainfield has the youngest population (median age 37).

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.

MeasureDerbyLedyardPlainfield
People
Population
12,487Lowest
15,433Highest
15,141
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.5%
CT: +0.9%
— —
Median age
46.4±3.1Highest
13% above CT
37.1±1.4
10% below CT
37±4.5Lowest
10% below CT
Kids under 18
14.6%±2.9Lowest
CT: 20.2%
27.5%±3.7Highest
CT: 20.2%
19.4%±2.6
CT: 20.2%
Age 65+
21.1%±3.9Highest
CT: 18.5%
17.4%±2.9
CT: 18.5%
16.6%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Derby and Ledyard 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%
40.5%Highest
CT: 42.5%
15%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.9%±2Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.1%±1.5Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.6%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
Derby and Plainfield 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
$107,975±$10kHighest
13% above CT
$76,993±$8kLowest
20% below CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$256,700±$21kLowest
30% below CT
$326,200±$27kHighest
11% below CT
$272,100±$16k
26% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,452±$95
about the CT average
$1,629±$247Highest
9% above CT
$1,204±$70Lowest
19% below CT
Ledyard and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,510
17% below CT
$6,371Highest
4% below CT
$4,209Lowest
37% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.9%±12.6
CT: 52.6%
54%±27Highest
CT: 52.6%
39.8%±9.5Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Ledyard and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.8%Highest
CT: 10%
5.7%Lowest
CT: 10%
8.7%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
61.9%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
82.7%Highest
CT: 66.5%
73.6%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967Lowest
same as CT
1972Highest
5 yrs newer than CT
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minHighest
about the CT average
22 minLowest
17% below CT
27 min
about the CT average
Work from home
15.1%±4.8Highest
CT: 16%
9.2%±2.8Lowest
CT: 16%
10%±4
CT: 16%
Derby and Plainfield 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 #99 of 149 in CT #131 of 149 in CT
School district Derby School District Ledyard School District Plainfield School District
High school in town Derby High School Ledyard High School Plainfield High School
Students per teacherat that high school
9.7Lowest
11.5Highest
10.3
On TownTapestry
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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.