Compare towns
Derby vs Putnam vs Union
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%).
Putnam has the most kids (18.6% under 18).
Union has the most homeowners (92.9%).
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 | Putnam | Union |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 12,487Highest |
9,292 |
944Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 46.4±3.1 13% above CT |
43.7±3Lowest 6% above CT |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
| Union 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% |
18.6%±3.6Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3 CT: 20.2% |
| Putnam and Union 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% |
18.5%±3.1Lowest CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Union 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%Highest CT: 42.5% |
20%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
24% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
| Derby and Union 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 |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
$88,958±$14kHighest 7% below CT |
| Union 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 |
$269,200±$11k 27% below CT |
$330,400±$26kHighest 10% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,452±$95Highest about the CT average |
$1,149±$44Lowest 23% below CT |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,510Highest 17% below CT |
$3,860Lowest 42% below CT |
$4,793 28% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.9%±12.6 CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.8% CT: 10% |
11.5%Highest CT: 10% |
5.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 61.9% CT: 66.5% |
59.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 same as CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the CT average |
25 minLowest 6% below CT |
32 minHighest 20% above CT |
| Work from home | 15.1%±4.8Highest CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Lowest CT: 16% |
9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
| Derby and Putnam 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 | #128 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | Derby School District | Putnam School District | Union School District |
| High school in town | Derby High School | Putnam High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7Highest |
9.5Lowest |
— |
| 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.