Compare towns

Franklin vs Hampton vs Sterling

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Franklin has the most kids (27.2% under 18).
Hampton has the most people working from home (17.7%).
Sterling has the most affordable homes ($283k 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.

MeasureFranklinHamptonSterling
People
Population
2,004
1,647Lowest
3,629Highest
Median age
40.3±4.3
about the CT average
51.5±5.3Highest
25% above CT
39.4±5.9Lowest
4% below CT
Kids under 18
27.2%±5.9Highest
CT: 20.2%
19.7%±5.3Lowest
CT: 20.2%
22.8%±5.9
CT: 20.2%
Franklin and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.4%±1.9
CT: 18.5%
26.1%±2.1Highest
CT: 18.5%
13%±3.8Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
27.8%
CT: 42.5%
29.9%Highest
CT: 42.5%
18%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±1.4Highest
CT: 7.1%
1.9%±1.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
3.7%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
Franklin and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$105,000±$10k
10% above CT
$109,167±$19kHighest
14% above CT
$102,695±$12kLowest
7% above CT
Hampton and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$326,200±$20kHighest
11% below CT
$295,800±$27k
19% below CT
$283,400±$17kLowest
23% below CT
Franklin and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$767±$529Lowest
48% below CT
$1,285±$288Highest
14% below CT
—
Hampton and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,934Lowest
41% below CT
$4,364
34% below CT
$4,551Highest
31% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
19.5%±18.4Lowest
CT: 52.6%
52.5%±51.5Highest
CT: 52.6%
32%±18.1
CT: 52.6%
Hampton and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.7%Highest
CT: 10%
5.7%Lowest
CT: 10%
8.3%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.1%
CT: 66.5%
90%Highest
CT: 66.5%
81.1%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973Lowest
6 yrs newer than CT
1980
13 yrs newer than CT
1988Highest
21 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minLowest
about the CT average
29 min
9% above CT
35 minHighest
34% above CT
Work from home
6.8%±2.4Lowest
CT: 16%
17.7%±5.1Highest
CT: 16%
11.6%±6.4
CT: 16%
Hampton and Sterling 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 — — #119 of 149 in CT
School district Franklin School District Hampton School District Sterling School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
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.