Compare towns
Essex vs Killingly vs Washington
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Essex has the oldest population (median age 52.4).
Killingly has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k 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 | Essex | Killingly | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 6,794 |
17,867Highest |
3,676Lowest |
| Median age | 52.4±3.6Highest 27% above CT |
39.5±3Lowest 4% below CT |
49.9±5.5 21% above CT |
| Essex and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.2%±3.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
19.8%±2.3Highest CT: 20.2% |
19%±4.7 CT: 20.2% |
| Killingly and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.4%±3.8 CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±2.4Lowest CT: 18.5% |
26.9%±5.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Washington and Essex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
22.9%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
53.7% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.7%±3.7Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±1.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
6.4%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
| Essex and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $104,395±$7kHighest 9% above CT |
$84,350±$8kLowest 12% below CT |
$101,549±$16k 6% above CT |
| Essex and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $552,000±$53k 50% above CT |
$288,600±$15kLowest 21% below CT |
$660,200±$130kHighest 80% above CT |
| Washington and Essex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,623±$326Highest 9% above CT |
$1,044±$141Lowest 30% below CT |
$1,204±$264 19% below CT |
| Essex and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,678Highest 15% below CT |
$3,922Lowest 41% below CT |
$4,709 29% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 38.5%±9.7 CT: 52.6% |
42.8%±10.9Highest CT: 52.6% |
26.1%±24Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Killingly and Essex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.2%Lowest CT: 10% |
11.4%Highest CT: 10% |
9% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 78.1% CT: 66.5% |
71.6%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
79%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971Highest 4 yrs newer than CT |
1968Lowest 1 yr newer than CT |
1971Highest 4 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 3% above CT |
28 minHighest 5% above CT |
26 minLowest 4% below CT |
| Work from home | 19.4%±4.6 CT: 16% |
11.1%±2.3Lowest CT: 16% |
20.1%±9Highest CT: 16% |
| Washington and Essex 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 | #33 of 149 in CT | #136 of 149 in CT | #17 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Essex School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | Regional School District 12 |
| High school in town | None in town | Killingly High School | Shepaug Valley School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.1Highest |
9.1Lowest |
| 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.