Compare towns

Killingly vs Putnam vs Bethlehem vs Plainfield

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 most kids (19.8% under 18).
Putnam has the most renters (40.2% rent).
Bethlehem has the most expensive homes ($411k median).
Plainfield has the youngest population (median age 37).

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.

MeasureKillinglyPutnamBethlehemPlainfield
People
Population
17,867Highest
9,292
3,423Lowest
15,141
Median age
39.5±3
4% below CT
43.7±3
6% above CT
51.5±8.5Highest
25% above CT
37±4.5Lowest
10% below CT
Bethlehem and Putnam 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%
18.6%±3.6
CT: 20.2%
16.3%±4Lowest
CT: 20.2%
19.4%±2.6
CT: 20.2%
Killingly and Plainfield 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%
18.5%±3.1
CT: 18.5%
24.5%±5.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
16.6%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Bethlehem and Killingly 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%
20%
CT: 42.5%
39.2%Highest
CT: 42.5%
15%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
3.9%±1.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
4.5%±3.1
CT: 7.1%
5.6%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
Plainfield 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
$70,561±$7kLowest
26% below CT
$108,929±$16kHighest
14% above CT
$76,993±$8k
20% below CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$269,200±$11kLowest
27% below CT
$410,900±$36kHighest
12% above CT
$272,100±$16k
26% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,149±$44
23% below CT
$1,127±$124
24% below CT
$1,204±$70Highest
19% below CT
Plainfield and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,922
41% below CT
$3,860Lowest
42% below CT
$5,932Highest
11% below CT
$4,209
37% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
37.7%±11.6Lowest
CT: 52.6%
69.7%±38.5Highest
CT: 52.6%
39.8%±9.5
CT: 52.6%
Bethlehem 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%
11.5%Highest
CT: 10%
10.4%
CT: 10%
8.7%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
59.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
70.2%
CT: 66.5%
73.6%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
5% above CT
25 minLowest
6% below CT
29 minHighest
9% above CT
27 min
about the CT average
Work from home
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
9%±2.8Lowest
CT: 16%
13.9%±5Highest
CT: 16%
10%±4
CT: 16%
Bethlehem 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 #128 of 149 in CT #82 of 149 in CT #131 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Putnam School District Regional School District 14 Plainfield School District
High school in town Killingly High School Putnam High School None in town Plainfield High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1Highest
9.5Lowest
—
10.3
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.