Compare towns
Derby vs Pomfret vs Sterling
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).
Pomfret has the most expensive homes ($409k median).
Sterling has the youngest population (median age 39.4).
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 | Pomfret | Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 12,487Highest |
4,317 |
3,629Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 46.4±3.1Highest 13% above CT |
45.9±3.7 12% above CT |
39.4±5.9Lowest 4% below CT |
| Derby and Pomfret 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% |
23.1%±4.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
22.8%±5.9 CT: 20.2% |
| Pomfret and Sterling 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% |
17.8%±4.5 CT: 18.5% |
13%±3.8Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Derby and Pomfret 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% |
50.8%Highest CT: 42.5% |
18%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
3.7%±1.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Derby and Pomfret 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 |
$108,476±$8kHighest 13% above CT |
$102,695±$12k 7% above CT |
| Pomfret and Sterling 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 |
$409,100±$28kHighest 12% above CT |
$283,400±$17k 23% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,452±$95Highest about the CT average |
$1,210±$300Lowest 19% below CT |
— |
| Derby and Pomfret 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 |
$5,903Highest 11% below CT |
$4,551Lowest 31% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.9%±12.6 CT: 52.6% |
61.9%±15.3Highest CT: 52.6% |
32%±18.1Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Pomfret 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% |
6%Lowest CT: 10% |
8.3% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
80.5% CT: 66.5% |
81.1%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967Lowest same as CT |
1978 11 yrs newer than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the CT average |
24 minLowest 11% below CT |
35 minHighest 34% above CT |
| Work from home | 15.1%±4.8Highest CT: 16% |
13.2%±5.2 CT: 16% |
11.6%±6.4Lowest CT: 16% |
| Derby and Pomfret 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 | #39 of 149 in CT | #119 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Derby School District | Pomfret School District | Sterling School District |
| High school in town | Derby High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7 |
— | — |
| 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.