Compare towns

Durham vs Canton vs Plainfield vs Killingworth

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Durham has the highest household income ($159k).
Canton has the most kids (22.6% under 18).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Killingworth has the oldest population (median age 53.3).

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.

MeasureDurhamCantonPlainfieldKillingworth
People
Population
7,208
10,144
15,141Highest
6,240Lowest
Median age
45.5±2.8
11% above CT
45.3±5.2
10% above CT
37±4.5Lowest
10% below CT
53.3±4.6Highest
30% above CT
Kids under 18
16.4%±3.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
22.6%±4Highest
CT: 20.2%
19.4%±2.6
CT: 20.2%
18.7%±4.6
CT: 20.2%
Canton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.4%±3.7
CT: 18.5%
23.5%±4.2
CT: 18.5%
16.6%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
25.5%±4.9Highest
CT: 18.5%
Killingworth and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
47.9%
CT: 42.5%
57.2%Highest
CT: 42.5%
15%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
55.4%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±1.5
CT: 7.1%
2.9%±1.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.6%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.2%±1.5
CT: 7.1%
Plainfield and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$158,857±$7kHighest
66% above CT
$117,991±$20k
23% above CT
$76,993±$8kLowest
20% below CT
$140,655±$16k
47% above CT
Durham and Killingworth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$424,800±$23k
16% above CT
$395,300±$24k
8% above CT
$272,100±$16kLowest
26% below CT
$446,200±$56kHighest
22% above CT
Killingworth and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,154±$448Lowest
22% below CT
$1,403±$358Highest
6% below CT
$1,204±$70
19% below CT
—
Canton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,998Highest
20% above CT
$7,232
9% above CT
$4,209Lowest
37% below CT
$6,550
about the CT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.9%±28.4
CT: 52.6%
59.9%±28.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
39.8%±9.5Lowest
CT: 52.6%
45.2%±15.8
CT: 52.6%
Canton and Killingworth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.4%
CT: 10%
5.7%
CT: 10%
8.7%Highest
CT: 10%
3%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.2%
CT: 66.5%
83.7%
CT: 66.5%
73.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
96.7%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
1971Lowest
4 yrs newer than CT
1987Highest
20 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
13% below CT
29 minHighest
9% above CT
27 min
about the CT average
24 min
10% below CT
Work from home
20.5%±6.4
CT: 16%
24.8%±6.1Highest
CT: 16%
10%±4Lowest
CT: 16%
24%±6.8
CT: 16%
Canton and Killingworth 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 #88 of 149 in CT #22 of 149 in CT #131 of 149 in CT #29 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 13 Canton School District Plainfield School District Regional School District 17
High school in town Coginchaug Regional High School Canton High School Plainfield High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
8.9Lowest
9.6
10.3Highest
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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.