Compare towns

Hamden vs Norwalk vs Windsor

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hamden has the youngest population (median age 38.7).
Norwalk has the most expensive homes ($558k median).
Windsor has the most homeowners (82.4%).

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.

MeasureHamdenNorwalkWindsor
People
Population
61,045
92,187Highest
29,468Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+6.5%
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
38.7±0.9Lowest
6% below CT
40.6±1
about the CT average
43.7±1.9Highest
6% above CT
Kids under 18
17%±1.5Lowest
CT: 20.2%
18.8%±1.2
CT: 20.2%
19.2%±2.1Highest
CT: 20.2%
Windsor and Norwalk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.1%±1.3
CT: 18.5%
17%±1Lowest
CT: 18.5%
20%±2Highest
CT: 18.5%
Windsor and Hamden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
47.8%Highest
CT: 42.5%
44.8%
CT: 42.5%
43.2%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
15%±1.1Highest
CT: 7.1%
6.7%±0.8
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±1.3Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$98,306±$7kLowest
about the CT average
$107,616±$7kHighest
12% above CT
$104,725±$8k
9% above CT
Norwalk and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$298,200±$9kLowest
19% below CT
$558,000±$21kHighest
52% above CT
$305,200±$11k
17% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,746±$50
17% above CT
$2,073±$87Highest
39% above CT
$1,681±$62Lowest
13% above CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,784
17% above CT
$7,817Highest
18% above CT
$5,351Lowest
19% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
50.9%±5.4
CT: 52.6%
52.1%±5.2Highest
CT: 52.6%
44.9%±10.9Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Norwalk and Hamden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.3%Highest
CT: 10%
9.1%
CT: 10%
6.7%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
62.4%
CT: 66.5%
55.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
82.4%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1964Lowest
3 yrs older than CT
1967
same as CT
1970Highest
3 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 min
18% below CT
27 minHighest
about the CT average
21 minLowest
19% below CT
Work from home
16.3%±2.1Highest
CT: 16%
15.1%±1.4Lowest
CT: 16%
16.1%±3.2
CT: 16%
Hamden and Windsor 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 #122 of 149 in CT #112 of 149 in CT #117 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Area Cooperative Educational Services Norwalk School District Capitol Region Education Council · Windsor School District
High school in town Hamden High School Brien McMahon High School Windsor High School
Students per teacherat that high school
13.5
14.7Highest
10.2Lowest
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.