Compare towns

Ellington vs Killingly vs Plainville vs Cromwell

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ellington has the most kids (24% under 18).
Killingly has the youngest population (median age 39.5).
Plainville has the most affordable homes ($254k median).
Cromwell has the most homeowners (82.4%).

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.

MeasureEllingtonKillinglyPlainvilleCromwell
People
Population
16,455
17,867Highest
17,551
14,334Lowest
Median age
40.9±2.4
about the CT average
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
44.3±1.5Highest
8% above CT
43.5±2.5
6% above CT
Plainville and Cromwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
24%±3.2Highest
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
15.6%±2.3Lowest
CT: 20.2%
19.1%±3.1
CT: 20.2%
Ellington and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.8%±2.8Lowest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
20.1%±2.8
CT: 18.5%
22%±3.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
Cromwell and Plainville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
51.4%Highest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
30%
CT: 42.5%
49.2%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6%±2.2
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Lowest
CT: 7.1%
6.2%±1.6
CT: 7.1%
6.4%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
Cromwell and Plainville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$129,913±$17kHighest
36% above CT
$84,350±$8k
12% below CT
$84,343±$7kLowest
12% below CT
$110,596±$10k
15% above CT
Ellington and Cromwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$366,900±$17kHighest
about the CT average
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$254,000±$14kLowest
31% below CT
$325,200±$22k
11% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,737±$212Highest
17% above CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,126±$147
24% below CT
$1,628±$154
9% above CT
Ellington and Cromwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,751Highest
about the CT average
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$4,798
28% below CT
$6,137
8% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.5%±10.3
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
40.3%±12.4Lowest
CT: 52.6%
61%±11.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
Cromwell and Ellington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
6.5%
CT: 10%
5.9%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
72.2%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
67.7%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
82.4%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
18% above CT
28 min
5% above CT
21 minLowest
20% below CT
24 min
11% below CT
Work from home
18.4%±3.9Highest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
10.7%±2Lowest
CT: 16%
18.4%±4Highest
CT: 16%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #46 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT #89 of 149 in CT #69 of 149 in CT
School district Ellington School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Judicial Centers · Plainville School District Cromwell School District
High school in town Ellington High School Killingly High School Plainville High School Cromwell High School
Students per teacherat that high school
10.3Lowest
11.1
11.4Highest
11.1
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.