Compare towns

Killingly vs Sterling vs Winchester vs Windsor Locks

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 expensive homes ($289k median).
Sterling has the highest household income ($103k).
Winchester has the oldest population (median age 49.1).
Windsor Locks has the most people working from home (17.7%).

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.

MeasureKillinglySterlingWinchesterWindsor Locks
People
Population
17,867Highest
3,629Lowest
10,284
12,579
Median age
39.5±3
4% below CT
39.4±5.9Lowest
4% below CT
49.1±6.2Highest
19% above CT
41.4±2.6
about the CT average
Winchester and Windsor Locks 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%
22.8%±5.9Highest
CT: 20.2%
15.4%±2.9Lowest
CT: 20.2%
18.6%±3.4
CT: 20.2%
Sterling 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%
13%±3.8Lowest
CT: 18.5%
27.4%±5.1Highest
CT: 18.5%
18.2%±2.7
CT: 18.5%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
22.9%
CT: 42.5%
18%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
27.8%
CT: 42.5%
28.6%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
3.7%±1.9Lowest
CT: 7.1%
4.2%±1.7
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
Windsor Locks 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
$102,695±$12kHighest
7% above CT
$66,519±$12kLowest
31% below CT
$81,205±$13k
15% below CT
Sterling and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$288,600±$15kHighest
21% below CT
$283,400±$17k
23% below CT
$249,500±$17kLowest
32% below CT
$258,800±$14k
29% below CT
Killingly and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
—
$1,174±$116
21% below CT
$1,394±$187Highest
6% below CT
Windsor Locks and Winchester 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
$4,551
31% below CT
$4,780Highest
28% below CT
$3,688Lowest
44% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
32%±18.1Lowest
CT: 52.6%
48.9%±15.8
CT: 52.6%
58.2%±16.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
Windsor Locks and Winchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.4%
CT: 10%
8.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
12.8%Highest
CT: 10%
10.9%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
81.1%Highest
CT: 66.5%
65.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
77.1%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1988Highest
21 yrs newer than CT
1955Lowest
12 yrs older than CT
1961
6 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
5% above CT
35 minHighest
34% above CT
26 min
about the CT average
22 minLowest
17% below CT
Work from home
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
11.6%±6.4
CT: 16%
6.9%±2.7Lowest
CT: 16%
17.7%±3.7Highest
CT: 16%
Windsor Locks and Sterling 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 #119 of 149 in CT #97 of 149 in CT #109 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Sterling School District Explorations District · Regional School District 07 Windsor Locks School District
High school in town Killingly High School None in town Northwestern Regional High School Windsor Locks High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1Highest
—
9.7
8.9Lowest
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.