Compare towns

Killingly vs Derby vs Barkhamsted vs Putnam

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Killingly has the youngest population (median age 39.5).
Derby has the most affordable homes ($257k median).
Barkhamsted has the highest household income ($124k).
Putnam has the shortest commute (25 min average).

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.

MeasureKillinglyDerbyBarkhamstedPutnam
People
Population
17,867Highest
12,487
3,678Lowest
9,292
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-4.5%
CT: +0.9%
— —
Median age
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
46.4±3.1
13% above CT
50.2±3.3Highest
22% above CT
43.7±3
6% above CT
Barkhamsted and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.8%±2.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
14.6%±2.9Lowest
CT: 20.2%
16.4%±3.9
CT: 20.2%
18.6%±3.6
CT: 20.2%
Killingly and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
21.1%±3.9
CT: 18.5%
27.2%±7.1Highest
CT: 18.5%
18.5%±3.1Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Barkhamsted and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
22.9%
CT: 42.5%
35.6%
CT: 42.5%
54.3%Highest
CT: 42.5%
20%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±2Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.3%±2.7
CT: 7.1%
3.9%±1.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Derby and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$84,350±$8k
12% below CT
$79,500±$11k
17% below CT
$123,544±$9kHighest
29% above CT
$70,561±$7kLowest
26% below CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$256,700±$21kLowest
30% below CT
$368,000±$15kHighest
about the CT average
$269,200±$11k
27% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,452±$95Highest
about the CT average
$1,164±$114
22% below CT
$1,149±$44
23% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,922
41% below CT
$5,510
17% below CT
$6,354Highest
4% below CT
$3,860Lowest
42% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
53.9%±12.6Highest
CT: 52.6%
28.8%±35.4Lowest
CT: 52.6%
37.7%±11.6
CT: 52.6%
Derby and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.4%
CT: 10%
10.8%
CT: 10%
3.6%Lowest
CT: 10%
11.5%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
61.9%
CT: 66.5%
92.9%Highest
CT: 66.5%
59.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1967
same as CT
1978Highest
11 yrs newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
5% above CT
27 min
about the CT average
28 minHighest
6% above CT
25 minLowest
6% below CT
Work from home
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
15.1%±4.8
CT: 16%
20.3%±7.1Highest
CT: 16%
9%±2.8Lowest
CT: 16%
Barkhamsted and Derby 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 #136 of 149 in CT #138 of 149 in CT #63 of 149 in CT #128 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Derby School District Barkhamsted School District Putnam School District
High school in town Killingly High School Derby High School None in town Putnam High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1Highest
9.7
—
9.5Lowest
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.