Compare towns
Monroe vs Derby vs Sandy Hook vs Granby
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Monroe has the most kids (25.2% under 18).
Derby has the most renters (38.1% rent).
Sandy Hook has the highest household income ($161k).
Granby has the most people working from home (30.2%).
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 | Monroe | Derby | Sandy Hook | Granby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 18,949Highest |
12,487 |
9,863Lowest |
11,184 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 43.5±2.2 6% above CT |
46.4±3.1Highest 13% above CT |
43.1±3Lowest 5% above CT |
44.7±3.2 9% above CT |
| Derby and Granby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 25.2%±3Highest CT: 20.2% |
14.6%±2.9Lowest CT: 20.2% |
22.6%±4.1 CT: 20.2% |
21.2%±3.2 CT: 20.2% |
| Monroe and Sandy Hook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.6%±2 CT: 18.5% |
21.1%±3.9 CT: 18.5% |
14.4%±2.4Lowest CT: 18.5% |
21.3%±2.8Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Granby and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 57.3% CT: 42.5% |
35.6%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
60.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
59.4% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.9%±2 CT: 7.1% |
6.2%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.1%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Sandy Hook and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $157,250±$12k 64% above CT |
$79,500±$11kLowest 17% below CT |
$160,814±$25kHighest 68% above CT |
$120,275±$14k 26% above CT |
| Sandy Hook and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $503,200±$31kHighest 37% above CT |
$256,700±$21kLowest 30% below CT |
$501,200±$33k 37% above CT |
$367,900±$17k about the CT average |
| Monroe and Sandy Hook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $994±$860Lowest 33% below CT |
$1,452±$95 about the CT average |
$1,866±$439Highest 25% above CT |
$1,335±$169 10% below CT |
| Sandy Hook and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$5,510Lowest 17% below CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$8,376 26% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.8%±46.4 CT: 52.6% |
53.9%±12.6Highest CT: 52.6% |
52.4%±26.6 CT: 52.6% |
29.6%±13.1Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Derby and Sandy Hook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.6%Lowest CT: 10% |
10.8%Highest CT: 10% |
5.6% CT: 10% |
3.2% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.7%Highest CT: 66.5% |
61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
92.9% CT: 66.5% |
92.1% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 11 yrs newer than CT |
1967Lowest same as CT |
1979Highest 12 yrs newer than CT |
1978 11 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 29% above CT |
27 minLowest about the CT average |
35 minHighest 33% above CT |
28 min 7% above CT |
| Work from home | 15.4%±3.3 CT: 16% |
15.1%±4.8Lowest CT: 16% |
23.1%±4.4 CT: 16% |
30.2%±5Highest CT: 16% |
| Granby and Sandy Hook 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 | #48 of 149 in CT | #138 of 149 in CT | — | #54 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Monroe School District | Derby School District | — | Granby School District |
| High school in town | Masuk High School | Derby High School | — | Granby Memorial High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8Highest |
9.7Lowest |
— | 11.9 |
| 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.