Compare towns
Orange vs Putnam vs Union vs Orange
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Putnam has the most renters (40.2% rent).
Union has the oldest population (median age 49.9).
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 | Orange | Putnam | Union | Orange |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 14,315Highest |
9,292 |
944Lowest |
14,315Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.3% CT: +0.9% |
— | — | — |
| Median age | 45.6±2.4 11% above CT |
43.7±3Lowest 6% above CT |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
45.6±2.4 11% above CT |
| Union and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22.9%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.6 CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
22.9%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Age 65+ | 23%±2.7 CT: 18.5% |
18.5%±3.1Lowest CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
23%±2.7 CT: 18.5% |
| Union and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 59.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
20%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
24% CT: 42.5% |
59.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.5%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
5.5%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $142,325±$10kHighest 49% above CT |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
$88,958±$14k 7% below CT |
$142,325±$10kHighest 49% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $491,500±$17kHighest 34% above CT |
$269,200±$11kLowest 27% below CT |
$330,400±$26k 10% below CT |
$491,500±$17kHighest 34% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,172±$161Highest 46% above CT |
$1,149±$44Lowest 23% below CT |
— | $2,172±$161Highest 46% above CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,988Highest 35% above CT |
$3,860Lowest 42% below CT |
$4,793 28% below CT |
$8,988Highest 35% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 64%±12.1 CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
64%±12.1 CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
11.5%Highest CT: 10% |
5.7% CT: 10% |
3.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.2% CT: 66.5% |
59.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
89.2% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 3 yrs older than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1964 3 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 4% above CT |
25 minLowest 6% below CT |
32 minHighest 20% above CT |
28 min 4% above CT |
| Work from home | 15.6%±2.9Highest CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Lowest CT: 16% |
9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
15.6%±2.9Highest CT: 16% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #38 of 149 in CT | #128 of 149 in CT | — | #38 of 149 in CT |
| School district | — | Putnam School District | Union School District | Orange School District · Regional School District 05 |
| High school in town | — | Putnam High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.5 |
— | — |
| 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.