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.
| Measure | Killingly | Washington | Derby | Plainfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| 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.


