Compare towns

Durham vs Union vs Durham vs Guilford

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 youngest population (median age 45.5).
Union has the most affordable homes ($330k median).
Guilford has the most kids (20.8% 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.

MeasureDurhamUnionDurhamGuilford
People
Population
7,208
944Lowest
3,347
22,108Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
+28.6%
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
45.5±2.8Lowest
11% above CT
49.9±4.3
21% above CT
47.9±5.4
17% above CT
51.1±1.9Highest
24% above CT
Guilford and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.4%±3.6
CT: 20.2%
16.9%±4.3
CT: 20.2%
15%±4.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
20.8%±2.4Highest
CT: 20.2%
Guilford and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.4%±3.7Lowest
CT: 18.5%
24.5%±2.6
CT: 18.5%
19.1%±4.5
CT: 18.5%
26.6%±2.7Highest
CT: 18.5%
Guilford and Union 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%
24%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
42.4%
CT: 42.5%
60.6%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±1.5Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5%±3.3Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.2%±2.1
CT: 7.1%
3.7%±1
CT: 7.1%
Union 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
$88,958±$14kLowest
7% below CT
$152,396±$32k
59% above CT
$137,816±$11k
44% above CT
Durham and Durham 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
$330,400±$26kLowest
10% below CT
$401,700±$32k
9% above CT
$515,800±$40kHighest
41% above CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,154±$448Lowest
22% below CT
—
$1,625±$1k
9% above CT
$1,717±$128Highest
15% above CT
Guilford and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,998
20% above CT
$4,793Lowest
28% below CT
$7,107
7% above CT
$8,744Highest
32% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.9%±28.4Lowest
CT: 52.6%
90%±64.7Highest
CT: 52.6%
57.7%±35
CT: 52.6%
47.4%±9
CT: 52.6%
Union and Durham 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%
6.1%Highest
CT: 10%
2.8%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
92.9%
CT: 66.5%
90%
CT: 66.5%
83.7%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1975
8 yrs newer than CT
1974Lowest
7 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
13% below CT
32 minHighest
20% above CT
24 min
10% below CT
26 min
about the CT average
Work from home
20.5%±6.4
CT: 16%
9%±3.7Lowest
CT: 16%
20%±6.7
CT: 16%
21.7%±3.3Highest
CT: 16%
Guilford and Durham 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 — #88 of 149 in CT #15 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 13 Union School District — Guilford School District
High school in town Coginchaug Regional High School None in town — Guilford High School
Students per teacherat that high school
8.9Lowest
— —
11.8Highest
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.