Compare towns

Ellington vs Plainfield vs Killingly vs Tolland

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).
Plainfield has the youngest population (median age 37).
Killingly has the most renters (28.4% rent).
Tolland has the most homeowners (90.7%).

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.

MeasureEllingtonPlainfieldKillinglyTolland
People
Population
16,455
15,141
17,867Highest
14,606Lowest
Median age
40.9±2.4
about the CT average
37±4.5Lowest
10% below CT
39.5±3
4% below CT
41.4±2.5Highest
about the CT average
Tolland and Ellington 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%
19.4%±2.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
22.6%±3
CT: 20.2%
Ellington and Tolland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.8%±2.8
CT: 18.5%
16.6%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4Highest
CT: 18.5%
15.3%±2.1Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Killingly and Ellington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
51.4%
CT: 42.5%
15%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%
CT: 42.5%
56.2%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6%±2.2
CT: 7.1%
5.6%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Lowest
CT: 7.1%
7.4%±2.3Highest
CT: 7.1%
Tolland and Ellington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$129,913±$17k
36% above CT
$76,993±$8kLowest
20% below CT
$84,350±$8k
12% below CT
$133,264±$16kHighest
39% above CT
Tolland and Ellington 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
$272,100±$16kLowest
26% below CT
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$365,500±$21k
about the CT average
Ellington and Tolland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,737±$212Highest
17% above CT
$1,204±$70
19% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,680±$119
13% above CT
Ellington and Tolland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,751
about the CT average
$4,209
37% below CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$7,403Highest
11% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.5%±10.3
CT: 52.6%
39.8%±9.5Lowest
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
73.5%±62.4Highest
CT: 52.6%
Tolland 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%
8.7%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
5.3%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
72.2%
CT: 66.5%
73.6%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
90.7%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1981
14 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
18% above CT
27 minLowest
about the CT average
28 min
5% above CT
32 minHighest
20% above CT
Work from home
18.4%±3.9
CT: 16%
10%±4Lowest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
20.6%±3.6Highest
CT: 16%
Tolland and Ellington 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 #46 of 149 in CT #131 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT #60 of 149 in CT
School district Ellington School District Plainfield School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Tolland School District
High school in town Ellington High School Plainfield High School Killingly High School Tolland High School
Students per teacherat that high school
10.3Lowest
10.3Lowest
11.1
12.4Highest
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.