Compare towns
Groton vs Union vs Putnam
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 shortest commute (18 min average).
Union has the most homeowners (92.9%).
Putnam has the most affordable homes ($269k 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 | Groton | Union | Putnam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 9,490Highest |
944Lowest |
9,292 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -9.6% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 39±3.7Lowest 5% below CT |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
43.7±3 6% above CT |
| Union and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±3.5Lowest CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3 CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.6Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Putnam and Union 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% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.5%±3.1 CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.8%Highest CT: 42.5% |
24% CT: 42.5% |
20%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.2%±1.7 CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Union 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 |
$88,958±$14kHighest 7% below CT |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
| Union 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±$26k 16% below CT |
$330,400±$26kHighest 10% below CT |
$269,200±$11kLowest 27% below CT |
| Union and Groton 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 |
— | $1,149±$44Lowest 23% below CT |
| Groton and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,411 34% below CT |
$4,793Highest 28% below CT |
$3,860Lowest 42% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.5%±11.7 CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Union 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% |
5.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
11.5% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 45.4%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
59.8% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 4 yrs newer than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 18 minLowest 34% below CT |
32 minHighest 20% above CT |
25 min 6% below CT |
| Work from home | 4.8%±2Lowest CT: 16% |
9%±3.7Highest CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Highest CT: 16% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | — | #128 of 149 in CT |
| School district | — | Union School District | Putnam School District |
| High school in town | — | None in town | Putnam High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.5 |
| 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.