Compare towns
Franklin vs Union vs Plainfield vs Norwich
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).
Union has the oldest population (median age 49.9).
Plainfield has the most people working from home (10%).
Norwich has the most renters (46.2% rent).
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 | Franklin | Union | Plainfield | Norwich |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,004 |
944Lowest |
15,141 |
39,973Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | — | -0.9% CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 40.3±4.3 about the CT average |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
37±4.5Lowest 10% below CT |
38.5±1.7 6% below CT |
| Kids under 18 | 27.2%±5.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
19.4%±2.6 CT: 20.2% |
20.9%±1.8 CT: 20.2% |
| Franklin and Norwich 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% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
16.6%±2.4Lowest CT: 18.5% |
16.9%±1.7 CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 27.8%Highest CT: 42.5% |
24% CT: 42.5% |
15%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
23.1% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.2%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.8Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.2Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $105,000±$10kHighest 10% above CT |
$88,958±$14k 7% below CT |
$76,993±$8k 20% below CT |
$65,024±$5kLowest 32% below CT |
| Franklin and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $326,200±$20k 11% below CT |
$330,400±$26kHighest 10% below CT |
$272,100±$16k 26% below CT |
$242,300±$11kLowest 34% below CT |
| Union and Franklin 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 |
— | $1,204±$70 19% below CT |
$1,253±$68Highest 16% below CT |
| Norwich and Plainfield 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 |
$4,793Highest 28% below CT |
$4,209 37% below CT |
$4,703 29% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 19.5%±18.4Lowest CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
39.8%±9.5 CT: 52.6% |
56.2%±7.2 CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.7% CT: 10% |
5.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
8.7% CT: 10% |
16.7%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.1% CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
73.6% CT: 66.5% |
53.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1973 6 yrs newer than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1971 4 yrs newer than CT |
1957Lowest 10 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the CT average |
32 minHighest 20% above CT |
27 min about the CT average |
24 minLowest 9% below CT |
| Work from home | 6.8%±2.4Lowest CT: 16% |
9%±3.7 CT: 16% |
10%±4Highest CT: 16% |
7.2%±2 CT: 16% |
| Plainfield and Union 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 | — | — | #131 of 149 in CT | #133 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Franklin School District | Union School District | Plainfield School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Norwich School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Plainfield High School | Norwich Free Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 10.3Lowest |
14.8Highest |
| 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.