Compare towns

Norwich vs Windham vs Chaplin

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Norwich has the most kids (20.9% under 18).
Windham has the most affordable homes ($210k median).
Chaplin has the most people working from home (18.1%).

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.

MeasureNorwichWindhamChaplin
People
Population
39,973Highest
23,961
2,070Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.9%
CT: +0.9%
— —
Median age
38.5±1.7
6% below CT
33.7±1.9Lowest
18% below CT
43.7±4.8Highest
6% above CT
Chaplin and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.9%±1.8Highest
CT: 20.2%
20.1%±2.4
CT: 20.2%
15.7%±4.2Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Norwich and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16.9%±1.7
CT: 18.5%
14.3%±1.9Lowest
CT: 18.5%
20.9%±4.4Highest
CT: 18.5%
Chaplin and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
23.1%
CT: 42.5%
22.7%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
25.4%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.6%±1.2Lowest
CT: 7.1%
15.2%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
10.1%±6.2
CT: 7.1%
Windham and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$65,024±$5k
32% below CT
$55,736±$5kLowest
42% below CT
$97,846±$14kHighest
about the CT average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$242,300±$11k
34% below CT
$209,800±$9kLowest
43% below CT
$255,200±$24kHighest
30% below CT
Chaplin and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,253±$68
16% below CT
$1,107±$69Lowest
26% below CT
$1,473±$275Highest
about the CT average
Chaplin and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,703Highest
29% below CT
$4,633
30% below CT
$4,524Lowest
32% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.2%±7.2
CT: 52.6%
57.1%±8.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
33.6%±27.7Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Windham and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16.7%
CT: 10%
20.7%Highest
CT: 10%
5.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
53.8%
CT: 66.5%
47.4%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
82.9%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1957
10 yrs older than CT
1956Lowest
11 yrs older than CT
1979Highest
12 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
9% below CT
24 min
8% below CT
32 minHighest
22% above CT
Work from home
7.2%±2
CT: 16%
6.1%±1.7Lowest
CT: 16%
18.1%±10Highest
CT: 16%
Chaplin and Norwich 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 #133 of 149 in CT #143 of 149 in CT —
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Norwich School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11
High school in town Norwich Free Academy Windham High School Parish Hill High School
Students per teacherat that high school
14.8Highest
9.8
7.5Lowest
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.