Compare towns

New Preston vs Norfolk vs Kent

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

New Preston has the most people working from home (32.3%).
Norfolk has the youngest population (median age 48.2).
Kent has the shortest commute (20 min average).

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.

MeasureNew PrestonNorfolkKent
People
Population
1,146Lowest
1,723
3,056Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.7%
CT: +0.9%
— —
Median age
51.8±12.8
26% above CT
48.2±7.4Lowest
17% above CT
55.8±4.3Highest
36% above CT
Kent and New Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.9%±7Highest
CT: 20.2%
15.8%±4.8
CT: 20.2%
12.2%±3.4Lowest
CT: 20.2%
New Preston and Norfolk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
31.3%±5.5Highest
CT: 18.5%
28.8%±3.7Lowest
CT: 18.5%
30.6%±6.5
CT: 18.5%
New Preston and Kent are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
57.8%Highest
CT: 42.5%
48.6%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
55.5%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.8%±4.7
CT: 7.1%
2.1%±1.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
7.2%±3.2Highest
CT: 7.1%
Kent and New Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$76,406±$28kLowest
20% below CT
$91,548±$16k
4% below CT
$96,064±$16kHighest
about the CT average
Kent and Norfolk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$452,600±$43k
23% above CT
$430,900±$54kLowest
17% above CT
$470,900±$78kHighest
28% above CT
Kent and New Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,190±$116Highest
20% below CT
$688±$205Lowest
54% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,528Lowest
47% below CT
$6,065Highest
9% below CT
$4,520
32% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
7.4%±89.8Lowest
CT: 52.6%
27.3%±17Highest
CT: 52.6%
11.5%±11.1
CT: 52.6%
Norfolk and Kent are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
15.8%Highest
CT: 10%
7.5%Lowest
CT: 10%
9%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.1%Highest
CT: 66.5%
81.1%
CT: 66.5%
70.9%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1938Lowest
29 yrs older than CT
1971Highest
4 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
8% above CT
27 min
3% above CT
20 minLowest
23% below CT
Work from home
32.3%±28Highest
CT: 16%
23.3%±4.7
CT: 16%
21.5%±6.4Lowest
CT: 16%
New Preston and Norfolk 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 — — #20 of 149 in CT
School district — Norfolk School District Kent School District
High school in town — None in town None in town
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.