Compare towns

Groton vs Thompson vs Plainfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Groton has the most renters (54.6% rent).
Thompson has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
Plainfield has the most kids (19.4% under 18).

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.

MeasureGrotonThompsonPlainfield
People
Population
9,490
9,337Lowest
15,141Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-9.6%
CT: +0.9%
— —
Median age
39±3.7
5% below CT
54.1±2.2Highest
32% above CT
37±4.5Lowest
10% below CT
Kids under 18
15.7%±3.5
CT: 20.2%
11.4%±2.8Lowest
CT: 20.2%
19.4%±2.6Highest
CT: 20.2%
Plainfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16.2%±2.7Lowest
CT: 18.5%
24.4%±4.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
16.6%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
38.8%Highest
CT: 42.5%
21.9%
CT: 42.5%
15%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±1.7
CT: 7.1%
2.9%±1.3Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.6%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
Plainfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$79,577±$8k
17% below CT
$93,629±$18kHighest
about the CT average
$76,993±$8kLowest
20% below CT
Thompson and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$306,600±$26kHighest
16% below CT
$291,900±$24k
20% below CT
$272,100±$16kLowest
26% below CT
Groton and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,250±$98Highest
16% below CT
$1,012±$344Lowest
32% below CT
$1,204±$70
19% below CT
Groton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,411Highest
34% below CT
$3,822Lowest
42% below CT
$4,209
37% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.5%±11.7
CT: 52.6%
54%±18.7Highest
CT: 52.6%
39.8%±9.5Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Thompson and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
18.6%Highest
CT: 10%
5.9%Lowest
CT: 10%
8.7%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
45.4%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
84.3%Highest
CT: 66.5%
73.6%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Highest
4 yrs newer than CT
1963Lowest
4 yrs older than CT
1971Highest
4 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
18 minLowest
34% below CT
32 minHighest
20% above CT
27 min
about the CT average
Work from home
4.8%±2Lowest
CT: 16%
13.1%±4.4Highest
CT: 16%
10%±4
CT: 16%
Thompson and Plainfield 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 — #130 of 149 in CT #131 of 149 in CT
School district — Thompson School District Plainfield School District
High school in town — Tourtellotte Memorial High School Plainfield High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
7.9Lowest
10.3Highest
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.