Compare towns
Derby vs Union vs Windsor Locks vs Orange
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).
Union has the oldest population (median age 49.9).
Windsor Locks has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Orange has the highest household income ($142k).
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 | Union | Windsor Locks | Orange |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 12,487 |
944Lowest |
12,579 |
14,315Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— | — | — |
| Median age | 46.4±3.1 13% above CT |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
41.4±2.6Lowest about the CT average |
45.6±2.4 11% 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% |
16.9%±4.3 CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.4 CT: 20.2% |
22.9%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Orange and Windsor Locks 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% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.2%±2.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
23%±2.7 CT: 18.5% |
| Union and Orange 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% |
24%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
28.6% CT: 42.5% |
59.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.9%±1.8Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.5%±2 CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $79,500±$11kLowest 17% below CT |
$88,958±$14k 7% below CT |
$81,205±$13k 15% below CT |
$142,325±$10kHighest 49% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $256,700±$21kLowest 30% below CT |
$330,400±$26k 10% below CT |
$258,800±$14k 29% below CT |
$491,500±$17kHighest 34% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,452±$95 about the CT average |
— | $1,394±$187Lowest 6% below CT |
$2,172±$161Highest 46% above CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,510 17% below CT |
$4,793 28% below CT |
$3,688Lowest 44% below CT |
$8,988Highest 35% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.9%±12.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
58.2%±16.8 CT: 52.6% |
64%±12.1 CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.8% CT: 10% |
5.7% CT: 10% |
10.9%Highest CT: 10% |
3.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
77.1% CT: 66.5% |
89.2% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 same as CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1964 3 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 |
28 min 4% above CT |
| Work from home | 15.1%±4.8 CT: 16% |
9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
17.7%±3.7Highest CT: 16% |
15.6%±2.9 CT: 16% |
| Windsor Locks and Orange 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 | — | #109 of 149 in CT | #38 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Derby School District | Union School District | Windsor Locks School District | Orange School District · Regional School District 05 |
| High school in town | Derby High School | None in town | Windsor Locks High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7Highest |
— | 8.9Lowest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.