Compare towns
Derby vs Middlefield 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%).
Middlefield has the most expensive homes ($376k median).
Plainfield has the most kids (19.4% under 18).
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 | Middlefield | Plainfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 12,487 |
4,243Lowest |
15,141Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 46.4±3.1 13% above CT |
51.6±1.9Highest 26% above CT |
37±4.5Lowest 10% below CT |
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±2.9 CT: 20.2% |
13.9%±4.1Lowest CT: 20.2% |
19.4%±2.6Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Plainfield and Derby 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% |
25.5%±7.2Highest CT: 18.5% |
16.6%±2.4Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Middlefield 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% |
41.5%Highest CT: 42.5% |
15%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.7%±2.4 CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Derby and Middlefield 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 |
$99,837±$20kHighest 4% above CT |
$76,993±$8kLowest 20% below CT |
| Middlefield and Derby 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 |
$376,000±$27kHighest about the CT average |
$272,100±$16k 26% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,452±$95 about the CT average |
$3,501Highest 135% above CT |
$1,204±$70Lowest 19% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,510 17% below CT |
$6,853Highest 3% above CT |
$4,209Lowest 37% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.9%±12.6 CT: 52.6% |
85.4%±52.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
39.8%±9.5Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Middlefield 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% |
8.1%Lowest CT: 10% |
8.7% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
86.5%Highest CT: 66.5% |
73.6% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 same as CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1971Highest 4 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minHighest about the CT average |
25 minLowest 6% below CT |
27 min about the CT average |
| Work from home | 15.1%±4.8Highest CT: 16% |
10.9%±4.1 CT: 16% |
10%±4Lowest CT: 16% |
| Derby and Middlefield 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 | #65 of 149 in CT | #131 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Derby School District | Regional School District 13 | Plainfield School District |
| High school in town | Derby High School | None in town | Plainfield High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7Lowest |
— | 10.3Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.