Compare towns

Hamden vs Windsor Locks vs Killingly vs Norwalk

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).
Windsor Locks has the most affordable homes ($259k median).
Killingly has the most kids (19.8% under 18).
Norwalk has the most expensive homes ($558k 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.

MeasureHamdenWindsor LocksKillinglyNorwalk
People
Population
61,045
12,579Lowest
17,867
92,187Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — — —
+6.5%
CT: +0.9%
Median age
38.7±0.9Lowest
6% below CT
41.4±2.6Highest
about the CT average
39.5±3
4% below CT
40.6±1
about the CT average
Windsor Locks and Norwalk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17%±1.5Lowest
CT: 20.2%
18.6%±3.4
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
18.8%±1.2
CT: 20.2%
Killingly 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%
18.2%±2.7
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4Highest
CT: 18.5%
17%±1Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Killingly and Windsor Locks 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%
28.6%
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
44.8%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
15%±1.1Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Lowest
CT: 7.1%
6.7%±0.8
CT: 7.1%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$98,306±$7k
about the CT average
$81,205±$13kLowest
15% below CT
$84,350±$8k
12% below CT
$107,616±$7kHighest
12% above CT
Norwalk and Hamden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$298,200±$9k
19% below CT
$258,800±$14kLowest
29% below CT
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$558,000±$21kHighest
52% above CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,746±$50
17% above CT
$1,394±$187
6% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$2,073±$87Highest
39% above CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,784
17% above CT
$3,688Lowest
44% below CT
$3,922
41% below CT
$7,817Highest
18% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
50.9%±5.4
CT: 52.6%
58.2%±16.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9Lowest
CT: 52.6%
52.1%±5.2
CT: 52.6%
Windsor Locks and Norwalk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.3%
CT: 10%
10.9%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
9.1%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
62.4%
CT: 66.5%
77.1%Highest
CT: 66.5%
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
55.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1964
3 yrs older than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1968Highest
1 yr newer than CT
1967
same as CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
18% below CT
22 min
17% below CT
28 minHighest
5% above CT
27 min
about the CT average
Work from home
16.3%±2.1
CT: 16%
17.7%±3.7Highest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3Lowest
CT: 16%
15.1%±1.4
CT: 16%
Windsor Locks and Hamden 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 #109 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT #112 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Area Cooperative Educational Services Windsor Locks School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Norwalk School District
High school in town Hamden High School Windsor Locks High School Killingly High School Brien McMahon High School
Students per teacherat that high school
13.5
8.9Lowest
11.1
14.7Highest
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.