Compare towns
Franklin vs Union 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).
Union has the oldest population (median age 49.9).
Sterling has the most people working from home (11.6%).
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 | Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,004 |
944Lowest |
3,629Highest |
| Median age | 40.3±4.3 about the CT average |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
39.4±5.9Lowest 4% below CT |
| Kids under 18 | 27.2%±5.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest 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% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
13%±3.8Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 27.8%Highest CT: 42.5% |
24% CT: 42.5% |
18%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.2%±1.4 CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.7%±1.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Union and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $105,000±$10kHighest 10% above CT |
$88,958±$14kLowest 7% below CT |
$102,695±$12k 7% above CT |
| Franklin and Sterling 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 |
$283,400±$17kLowest 23% 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±$529 48% below CT |
— | — |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,934Lowest 41% below CT |
$4,793Highest 28% below CT |
$4,551 31% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 19.5%±18.4Lowest CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
32%±18.1 CT: 52.6% |
| Union 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% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
81.1%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1973Lowest 6 yrs newer than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest about the CT average |
32 min 20% above CT |
35 minHighest 34% above CT |
| Work from home | 6.8%±2.4Lowest CT: 16% |
9%±3.7 CT: 16% |
11.6%±6.4Highest CT: 16% |
| Sterling 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 | — | — | #119 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Franklin School District | Union 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.