Compare towns

Killingly vs Windsor Locks vs Crystal Lake vs Putnam

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 youngest population (median age 39.5).
Windsor Locks has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Crystal Lake has the highest household income ($144k).
Putnam has the most renters (40.2% rent).

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.

MeasureKillinglyWindsor LocksCrystal LakePutnam
People
Population
17,867Highest
12,579
2,024Lowest
9,292
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
+10.6%
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
41.4±2.6
about the CT average
48.9±7.6Highest
19% above CT
43.7±3
6% above CT
Crystal Lake and Putnam 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%
18.6%±3.4Lowest
CT: 20.2%
24.5%±7.5Highest
CT: 20.2%
18.6%±3.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Crystal Lake 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%
18.2%±2.7Lowest
CT: 18.5%
23.3%±5.1Highest
CT: 18.5%
18.5%±3.1
CT: 18.5%
Crystal Lake 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%
28.6%
CT: 42.5%
45.9%Highest
CT: 42.5%
20%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
6.3%±3.7Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.9%±1.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Crystal Lake and Windsor Locks 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
$81,205±$13k
15% below CT
$143,882±$29kHighest
50% above CT
$70,561±$7kLowest
26% below CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$258,800±$14kLowest
29% below CT
$361,800±$35kHighest
about the CT average
$269,200±$11k
27% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,394±$187Highest
6% below CT
—
$1,149±$44
23% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,922
41% below CT
$3,688Lowest
44% below CT
$7,146Highest
8% above CT
$3,860
42% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
58.2%±16.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
0%±93.3Lowest
CT: 52.6%
37.7%±11.6
CT: 52.6%
Windsor Locks and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.4%
CT: 10%
10.9%
CT: 10%
1.7%Lowest
CT: 10%
11.5%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
77.1%
CT: 66.5%
91.4%Highest
CT: 66.5%
59.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1977Highest
10 yrs newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
5% above CT
22 minLowest
17% below CT
39 minHighest
47% above CT
25 min
6% below CT
Work from home
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
17.7%±3.7Highest
CT: 16%
17.5%±10
CT: 16%
9%±2.8Lowest
CT: 16%
Windsor Locks and Crystal Lake 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 #109 of 149 in CT — #128 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Windsor Locks School District — Putnam School District
High school in town Killingly High School Windsor Locks High School — Putnam High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1Highest
8.9Lowest
—
9.5
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.