Compare towns

Killingly vs Plainville vs Orange 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).
Plainville has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Orange has the most expensive homes ($492k median).
Putnam has the most renters (40.2% rent).

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.

MeasureKillinglyPlainvilleOrangePutnam
People
Population
17,867Highest
17,551
14,315
9,292Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
+2.3%
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
44.3±1.5
8% above CT
45.6±2.4Highest
11% above CT
43.7±3
6% above CT
Orange and Plainville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
15.6%±2.3Lowest
CT: 20.2%
22.9%±2.5Highest
CT: 20.2%
18.6%±3.6
CT: 20.2%
Orange and Killingly 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%
20.1%±2.8
CT: 18.5%
23%±2.7Highest
CT: 18.5%
18.5%±3.1Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Orange and Plainville 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%
30%
CT: 42.5%
59.4%Highest
CT: 42.5%
20%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
6.2%±1.6Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.5%±2
CT: 7.1%
3.9%±1.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Plainville and Orange 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
$84,343±$7k
12% below CT
$142,325±$10kHighest
49% above CT
$70,561±$7kLowest
26% below CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$254,000±$14kLowest
31% below CT
$491,500±$17kHighest
34% above CT
$269,200±$11k
27% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,126±$147
24% below CT
$2,172±$161Highest
46% above CT
$1,149±$44
23% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,922
41% below CT
$4,798
28% below CT
$8,988Highest
35% above CT
$3,860Lowest
42% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
40.3%±12.4
CT: 52.6%
64%±12.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
37.7%±11.6Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Orange 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%
6.5%
CT: 10%
3.9%Lowest
CT: 10%
11.5%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
67.7%
CT: 66.5%
89.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
59.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1971Highest
4 yrs newer than CT
1964
3 yrs older than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minHighest
5% above CT
21 minLowest
20% below CT
28 min
4% above CT
25 min
6% below CT
Work from home
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
10.7%±2
CT: 16%
15.6%±2.9Highest
CT: 16%
9%±2.8Lowest
CT: 16%
Orange and Killingly 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 #89 of 149 in CT #38 of 149 in CT #128 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Judicial Centers · Plainville School District — Putnam School District
High school in town Killingly High School Plainville High School — Putnam High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1
11.4Highest
—
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.