Compare towns
Derby vs Windsor Locks vs Putnam
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 oldest population (median age 46.4).
Windsor Locks has the most homeowners (77.1%).
Putnam has the most expensive homes ($269k median).
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 | Windsor Locks | Putnam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 12,487 |
12,579Highest |
9,292Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 46.4±3.1Highest 13% above CT |
41.4±2.6Lowest about the CT average |
43.7±3 6% above CT |
| Derby and Putnam 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%±3.4Highest CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.6Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Age 65+ | 21.1%±3.9Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.2%±2.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
18.5%±3.1 CT: 18.5% |
| Derby and Putnam 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% |
28.6% CT: 42.5% |
20%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.9%±1.8Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $79,500±$11k 17% below CT |
$81,205±$13kHighest 15% below CT |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
| Windsor Locks 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 |
$258,800±$14k 29% below CT |
$269,200±$11kHighest 27% below CT |
| Putnam 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 |
$1,394±$187 6% below CT |
$1,149±$44Lowest 23% 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 |
$3,688Lowest 44% below CT |
$3,860 42% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.9%±12.6 CT: 52.6% |
58.2%±16.8Highest CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Windsor Locks and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.8%Lowest CT: 10% |
10.9% CT: 10% |
11.5%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 61.9% CT: 66.5% |
77.1%Highest CT: 66.5% |
59.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967Highest same as CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minHighest about the CT average |
22 minLowest 17% below CT |
25 min 6% below CT |
| Work from home | 15.1%±4.8 CT: 16% |
17.7%±3.7Highest CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Lowest 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 | #109 of 149 in CT | #128 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Derby School District | Windsor Locks School District | Putnam School District |
| High school in town | Derby High School | Windsor Locks High School | Putnam High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7Highest |
8.9Lowest |
9.5 |
| 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.