Compare towns

Derby vs Monroe vs Stepney

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).
Monroe has the most kids (25.2% under 18).
Stepney has the oldest population (median age 47.1).

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.

MeasureDerbyMonroeStepney
People
Population
12,487
18,949Highest
3,979Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.5%
CT: +0.9%
— —
Median age
46.4±3.1
13% above CT
43.5±2.2Lowest
6% above CT
47.1±5.6Highest
15% above CT
Stepney 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%
25.2%±3Highest
CT: 20.2%
21.1%±5.6
CT: 20.2%
Monroe and Stepney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±3.9Highest
CT: 18.5%
15.6%±2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
17.7%±4.1
CT: 18.5%
Derby and Stepney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.6%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
57.3%Highest
CT: 42.5%
54.2%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.9%±2
CT: 7.1%
5.1%±1.8Lowest
CT: 7.1%
10.1%±5.4Highest
CT: 7.1%
Stepney 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±$11kLowest
17% below CT
$157,250±$12kHighest
64% above CT
$153,966±$16k
61% above CT
Monroe and Stepney 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
$503,200±$31kHighest
37% above CT
$475,800±$53k
30% above CT
Monroe and Stepney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,452±$95
about the CT average
$994±$860Lowest
33% below CT
$2,750±$1kHighest
85% above CT
Stepney and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,510Lowest
17% below CT
$10,000+Highest
at least 51% above CT
$9,309
40% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.9%±12.6
CT: 52.6%
48.8%±46.4Lowest
CT: 52.6%
63.2%±48.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
Stepney 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%
2.6%
CT: 10%
0.8%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
61.9%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
95.7%
CT: 66.5%
96.4%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967Lowest
same as CT
1978
11 yrs newer than CT
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minLowest
about the CT average
34 min
29% above CT
37 minHighest
41% above CT
Work from home
15.1%±4.8
CT: 16%
15.4%±3.3Highest
CT: 16%
9.8%±4.3Lowest
CT: 16%
Monroe 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 #48 of 149 in CT —
School district Derby School District Monroe School District —
High school in town Derby High School Masuk High School —
Students per teacherat that high school
9.7Lowest
12.8Highest
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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.