Compare towns
Killingly vs Shelton vs Putnam 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).
Shelton has the most expensive homes ($453k median).
Putnam has the most renters (40.2% rent).
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.
| Measure | Killingly | Shelton | Putnam | Plainfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 17,867 |
41,889Highest |
9,292Lowest |
15,141 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +3.3% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 39.5±3 4% below CT |
44.5±1.5Highest 8% above CT |
43.7±3 6% above CT |
37±4.5Lowest 10% below CT |
| Shelton 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% |
18.9%±1.7 CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.6Lowest 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% |
21.4%±1.5Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.5%±3.1 CT: 18.5% |
16.6%±2.4Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Shelton 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% |
41.7%Highest CT: 42.5% |
20% CT: 42.5% |
15%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
5.8%±1Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.8 CT: 7.1% |
| Shelton and Plainfield 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 |
$108,185±$11kHighest 13% above CT |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
$76,993±$8k 20% below CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $288,600±$15k 21% below CT |
$452,600±$13kHighest 23% above CT |
$269,200±$11kLowest 27% below CT |
$272,100±$16k 26% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,044±$141Lowest 30% below CT |
$1,741±$216Highest 17% above CT |
$1,149±$44 23% below CT |
$1,204±$70 19% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,922 41% below CT |
$5,409Highest 19% below CT |
$3,860Lowest 42% below CT |
$4,209 37% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.8%±10.9 CT: 52.6% |
53.8%±9.8Highest CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
39.8%±9.5 CT: 52.6% |
| Shelton 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% |
6.6%Lowest CT: 10% |
11.5%Highest CT: 10% |
8.7% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.6% CT: 66.5% |
76.5%Highest CT: 66.5% |
59.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
73.6% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968 1 yr newer than CT |
1977Highest 10 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1971 4 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 5% above CT |
30 minHighest 14% above CT |
25 minLowest 6% below CT |
27 min about the CT average |
| Work from home | 11.1%±2.3 CT: 16% |
13.9%±2.8Highest CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Lowest CT: 16% |
10%±4 CT: 16% |
| Shelton 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 | #71 of 149 in CT | #128 of 149 in CT | #131 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | Shelton School District | Putnam School District | Plainfield School District |
| High school in town | Killingly High School | Shelton High School | Putnam High School | Plainfield High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1 |
14.3Highest |
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.