Compare towns

Killingly vs Washington vs Derby 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).
Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k median).
Derby has the most renters (38.1% 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.

MeasureKillinglyWashingtonDerbyPlainfield
People
Population
17,867Highest
3,676Lowest
12,487
15,141
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
-4.5%
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
39.5±3
4% below CT
49.9±5.5Highest
21% above CT
46.4±3.1
13% above CT
37±4.5Lowest
10% below CT
Washington and Derby 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%
19%±4.7
CT: 20.2%
14.6%±2.9Lowest
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%
26.9%±5.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
21.1%±3.9
CT: 18.5%
16.6%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Washington and Derby 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%
53.7%Highest
CT: 42.5%
35.6%
CT: 42.5%
15%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±1.9Lowest
CT: 7.1%
6.4%±3.3Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±2
CT: 7.1%
5.6%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
Washington and Derby 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
$101,549±$16kHighest
6% above CT
$79,500±$11k
17% below CT
$76,993±$8kLowest
20% below CT
Washington 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±$15k
21% below CT
$660,200±$130kHighest
80% above CT
$256,700±$21kLowest
30% below CT
$272,100±$16k
26% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,204±$264
19% below CT
$1,452±$95Highest
about the CT average
$1,204±$70
19% below CT
Derby and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$4,709
29% below CT
$5,510Highest
17% below CT
$4,209
37% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
26.1%±24Lowest
CT: 52.6%
53.9%±12.6Highest
CT: 52.6%
39.8%±9.5
CT: 52.6%
Derby 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%
9%
CT: 10%
10.8%
CT: 10%
8.7%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
79%Highest
CT: 66.5%
61.9%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
73.6%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1971Highest
4 yrs newer than CT
1967Lowest
same as CT
1971Highest
4 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minHighest
5% above CT
26 minLowest
4% below CT
27 min
about the CT average
27 min
about the CT average
Work from home
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
20.1%±9Highest
CT: 16%
15.1%±4.8
CT: 16%
10%±4Lowest
CT: 16%
Washington and Derby 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 #17 of 149 in CT #138 of 149 in CT #131 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Regional School District 12 Derby School District Plainfield School District
High school in town Killingly High School Shepaug Valley School Derby High School Plainfield High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1Highest
9.1Lowest
9.7
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.