Compare towns

Middlefield vs Andover vs Plainfield vs Durham

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Middlefield has the oldest population (median age 51.6).
Andover has the most homeowners (93.1%).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Durham has the most people working from home (20%).

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.

MeasureMiddlefieldAndoverPlainfieldDurham
People
Population
4,243
3,152Lowest
15,141Highest
3,347
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — — —
+28.6%
CT: +0.9%
Median age
51.6±1.9Highest
26% above CT
51.2±5.4
25% above CT
37±4.5Lowest
10% below CT
47.9±5.4
17% above CT
Middlefield and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.9%±4.1Lowest
CT: 20.2%
16.2%±4.4
CT: 20.2%
19.4%±2.6Highest
CT: 20.2%
15%±4.6
CT: 20.2%
Plainfield and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
25.5%±7.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
19.2%±5.1
CT: 18.5%
16.6%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
19.1%±4.5
CT: 18.5%
Middlefield and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
41.5%
CT: 42.5%
46.5%Highest
CT: 42.5%
15%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
42.4%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.4
CT: 7.1%
8.2%±4.1Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.6%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
4.2%±2.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Andover and Middlefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$99,837±$20k
4% above CT
$134,632±$20k
41% above CT
$76,993±$8kLowest
20% below CT
$152,396±$32kHighest
59% above CT
Durham and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$376,000±$27k
about the CT average
$376,500±$36k
about the CT average
$272,100±$16kLowest
26% below CT
$401,700±$32kHighest
9% above CT
Durham and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$3,501Highest
135% above CT
$1,166±$745Lowest
22% below CT
$1,204±$70
19% below CT
$1,625±$1k
9% above CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,853
3% above CT
$6,554
about the CT average
$4,209Lowest
37% below CT
$7,107Highest
7% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
85.4%±52.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
60.8%±38.4
CT: 52.6%
39.8%±9.5Lowest
CT: 52.6%
57.7%±35
CT: 52.6%
Middlefield and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.1%
CT: 10%
1.8%Lowest
CT: 10%
8.7%Highest
CT: 10%
6.1%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.5%
CT: 66.5%
93.1%Highest
CT: 66.5%
73.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
90%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1977Highest
10 yrs newer than CT
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
1975
8 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
6% below CT
25 min
5% below CT
27 minHighest
about the CT average
24 minLowest
10% below CT
Work from home
10.9%±4.1
CT: 16%
15.5%±5.4
CT: 16%
10%±4Lowest
CT: 16%
20%±6.7Highest
CT: 16%
Durham and Andover 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 #65 of 149 in CT #43 of 149 in CT #131 of 149 in CT #88 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 13 Andover School District Plainfield School District —
High school in town None in town None in town Plainfield High School —
Students per teacherat that high school — —
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.