Compare towns

Killingly vs Union vs Sterling

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 shortest commute (28 min average).
Union has the oldest population (median age 49.9).
Sterling has the highest household income ($103k).

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.

MeasureKillinglyUnionSterling
People
Population
17,867Highest
944Lowest
3,629
Median age
39.5±3
4% below CT
49.9±4.3Highest
21% above CT
39.4±5.9Lowest
4% below CT
Kids under 18
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
16.9%±4.3Lowest
CT: 20.2%
22.8%±5.9Highest
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%
24.5%±2.6Highest
CT: 18.5%
13%±3.8Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Union 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%
24%Highest
CT: 42.5%
18%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±1.9Highest
CT: 7.1%
5%±3.3
CT: 7.1%
3.7%±1.9Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Killingly and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$88,958±$14k
7% below CT
$102,695±$12kHighest
7% above CT
Sterling 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
$330,400±$26kHighest
10% below CT
$283,400±$17kLowest
23% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,044±$141
30% below CT
— —
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$4,793Highest
28% below CT
$4,551
31% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
90%±64.7Highest
CT: 52.6%
32%±18.1Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Union and Killingly 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%
5.7%Lowest
CT: 10%
8.3%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
92.9%Highest
CT: 66.5%
81.1%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
1988Highest
21 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
5% above CT
32 min
20% above CT
35 minHighest
34% above CT
Work from home
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
9%±3.7Lowest
CT: 16%
11.6%±6.4Highest
CT: 16%
Sterling 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 — #119 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Union School District Sterling School District
High school in town Killingly High School None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1
— —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.