Compare towns
Lisbon vs Sterling vs Thompson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lisbon has the most homeowners (97.9%).
Sterling has the youngest population (median age 39.4).
Thompson has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
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 | Lisbon | Sterling | Thompson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,211 |
3,629Lowest |
9,337Highest |
| Median age | 44.5±5.2 8% above CT |
39.4±5.9Lowest 4% below CT |
54.1±2.2Highest 32% above CT |
| Kids under 18 | 22.1%±6.4 CT: 20.2% |
22.8%±5.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
11.4%±2.8Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Sterling and Lisbon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.3%±4.3 CT: 18.5% |
13%±3.8Lowest CT: 18.5% |
24.4%±4.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Thompson and Lisbon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.2% CT: 42.5% |
18%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
21.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.2%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.7%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
2.9%±1.3Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Lisbon and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $92,708±$12kLowest 3% below CT |
$102,695±$12kHighest 7% above CT |
$93,629±$18k about the CT average |
| Sterling and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $315,700±$26kHighest 14% below CT |
$283,400±$17kLowest 23% below CT |
$291,900±$24k 20% below CT |
| Lisbon and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | — | $1,012±$344 32% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,044 39% below CT |
$4,551Highest 31% below CT |
$3,822Lowest 42% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 100%±75.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
32%±18.1Lowest CT: 52.6% |
54%±18.7 CT: 52.6% |
| Lisbon and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.6% CT: 10% |
8.3%Highest CT: 10% |
5.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
81.1%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
84.3% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1963Lowest 4 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minLowest 20% above CT |
35 minHighest 34% above CT |
32 min 20% above CT |
| Work from home | 8.3%±3.4Lowest CT: 16% |
11.6%±6.4 CT: 16% |
13.1%±4.4Highest CT: 16% |
| Thompson 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 | #102 of 149 in CT | #119 of 149 in CT | #130 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Lisbon School District | Sterling School District | Thompson School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Tourtellotte Memorial High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 7.9 |
| 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.