Compare towns
Derby vs Thompson vs Windsor Locks
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).
Thompson has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
Windsor Locks has the most kids (18.6% 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 | Thompson | Windsor Locks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 12,487 |
9,337Lowest |
12,579Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 46.4±3.1 13% above CT |
54.1±2.2Highest 32% above CT |
41.4±2.6Lowest about the CT average |
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±2.9 CT: 20.2% |
11.4%±2.8Lowest CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.4Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Windsor Locks 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% |
24.4%±4.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.2%±2.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Thompson 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% |
21.9%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
28.6% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
2.9%±1.3Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.9%±1.8Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $79,500±$11kLowest 17% below CT |
$93,629±$18kHighest about the CT average |
$81,205±$13k 15% below CT |
| Thompson and Windsor Locks 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 |
$291,900±$24kHighest 20% below CT |
$258,800±$14k 29% below CT |
| Thompson and Windsor Locks are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,452±$95Highest about the CT average |
$1,012±$344Lowest 32% below CT |
$1,394±$187 6% below CT |
| Derby and Windsor Locks are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,510Highest 17% below CT |
$3,822 42% below CT |
$3,688Lowest 44% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.9%±12.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
54%±18.7 CT: 52.6% |
58.2%±16.8Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Windsor Locks and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.8% CT: 10% |
5.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
10.9%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
84.3%Highest CT: 66.5% |
77.1% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967Highest same as CT |
1963 4 yrs older than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the CT average |
32 minHighest 20% above CT |
22 minLowest 17% below CT |
| Work from home | 15.1%±4.8 CT: 16% |
13.1%±4.4Lowest CT: 16% |
17.7%±3.7Highest CT: 16% |
| Windsor Locks 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 | #130 of 149 in CT | #109 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Derby School District | Thompson School District | Windsor Locks School District |
| High school in town | Derby High School | Tourtellotte Memorial High School | Windsor Locks High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7Highest |
7.9Lowest |
8.9 |
| 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.


