Compare towns
Killingly vs Shelton vs Union 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 renters (28.4% rent).
Shelton has the most expensive homes ($453k median).
Union has the most homeowners (92.9%).
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 | Union | Plainfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 17,867 |
41,889Highest |
944Lowest |
15,141 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +3.3% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 39.5±3 4% below CT |
44.5±1.5 8% above CT |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
37±4.5Lowest 10% below CT |
| Union and Shelton 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% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest 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%±1.5 CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
16.6%±2.4Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Union and Shelton 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% |
24% 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% |
5%±3.3Lowest 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 |
$88,958±$14k 7% below CT |
$76,993±$8kLowest 20% below CT |
| Shelton and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $288,600±$15k 21% below CT |
$452,600±$13kHighest 23% above CT |
$330,400±$26k 10% below CT |
$272,100±$16kLowest 26% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,044±$141Lowest 30% below CT |
$1,741±$216Highest 17% above CT |
— | $1,204±$70 19% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,922Lowest 41% below CT |
$5,409Highest 19% below CT |
$4,793 28% below CT |
$4,209 37% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.8%±10.9 CT: 52.6% |
53.8%±9.8 CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
39.8%±9.5Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Shelton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 11.4%Highest CT: 10% |
6.6% CT: 10% |
5.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
8.7% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.6%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
76.5% CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
73.6% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Lowest 1 yr newer than CT |
1977Highest 10 yrs newer than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1971 4 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 5% above CT |
30 min 14% above CT |
32 minHighest 20% above CT |
27 minLowest about the CT average |
| Work from home | 11.1%±2.3 CT: 16% |
13.9%±2.8Highest CT: 16% |
9%±3.7Lowest 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 | — | #131 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | Shelton School District | Union School District | Plainfield School District |
| High school in town | Killingly High School | Shelton High School | None in town | Plainfield High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1 |
14.3Highest |
— | 10.3Lowest |
| 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.