Compare towns
Orange vs Willimantic vs Sandy Hook vs Monroe
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Orange has the oldest population (median age 45.6).
Willimantic has the most affordable homes ($191k median).
Sandy Hook has the most people working from home (23.1%).
Monroe has the most kids (25.2% under 18).
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 | Willimantic | Sandy Hook | Monroe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 14,315 |
18,096 |
9,863Lowest |
18,949Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +2.3% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 45.6±2.4Highest 11% above CT |
31.3±2.7Lowest 24% below CT |
43.1±3 5% above CT |
43.5±2.2 6% above CT |
| Orange and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22.9%±2.5 CT: 20.2% |
20.6%±2.5Lowest CT: 20.2% |
22.6%±4.1 CT: 20.2% |
25.2%±3Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Monroe and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 23%±2.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
11%±1.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
14.4%±2.4 CT: 18.5% |
15.6%±2 CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 59.4% CT: 42.5% |
24.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
60.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
57.3% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.5%±2 CT: 7.1% |
19.1%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
6.2%±2.1 CT: 7.1% |
5.1%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $142,325±$10k 49% above CT |
$45,962±$7kLowest 52% below CT |
$160,814±$25kHighest 68% above CT |
$157,250±$12k 64% 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 | $491,500±$17k 34% above CT |
$190,900±$17kLowest 48% below CT |
$501,200±$33k 37% above CT |
$503,200±$31kHighest 37% above CT |
| Monroe and Sandy Hook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,172±$161Highest 46% above CT |
$1,063±$68 29% below CT |
$1,866±$439 25% above CT |
$994±$860Lowest 33% below CT |
| Orange and Sandy Hook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,988 35% above CT |
$4,678Lowest 30% below CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 64%±12.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
55.9%±8.1 CT: 52.6% |
52.4%±26.6 CT: 52.6% |
48.8%±46.4Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Orange and Willimantic are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.9% CT: 10% |
23.4%Highest CT: 10% |
5.6% CT: 10% |
2.6%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.2% CT: 66.5% |
34.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
92.9% CT: 66.5% |
95.7%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 3 yrs older than CT |
1953Lowest 14 yrs older than CT |
1979Highest 12 yrs newer than CT |
1978 11 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 4% above CT |
23 minLowest 12% below CT |
35 minHighest 33% above CT |
34 min 29% above CT |
| Work from home | 15.6%±2.9 CT: 16% |
6.2%±2Lowest CT: 16% |
23.1%±4.4Highest CT: 16% |
15.4%±3.3 CT: 16% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #38 of 149 in CT | — | — | #48 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Orange School District · Regional School District 05 | — | — | Monroe School District |
| High school in town | None in town | — | — | Masuk High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 12.8 |
| 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.