Compare towns
Preston vs Union vs Hampton vs Norwich
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Preston has the most expensive homes ($362k median).
Union has the most homeowners (92.9%).
Hampton has the most people working from home (17.7%).
Norwich has the most renters (46.2% rent).
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 | Preston | Union | Hampton | Norwich |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,821 |
944Lowest |
1,647 |
39,973Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | — | -0.9% CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 46.2±7 12% above CT |
49.9±4.3 21% above CT |
51.5±5.3Highest 25% above CT |
38.5±1.7Lowest 6% below CT |
| Hampton and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.7%±4.4 CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
19.7%±5.3 CT: 20.2% |
20.9%±1.8Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Norwich and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 23%±4.7 CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±2.6 CT: 18.5% |
26.1%±2.1Highest CT: 18.5% |
16.9%±1.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Hampton and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.5% CT: 42.5% |
24% CT: 42.5% |
29.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
23.1%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±2.4 CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.2Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Norwich and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $116,648±$27kHighest 22% above CT |
$88,958±$14k 7% below CT |
$109,167±$19k 14% above CT |
$65,024±$5kLowest 32% below CT |
| Preston and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $361,900±$13kHighest about the CT average |
$330,400±$26k 10% below CT |
$295,800±$27k 19% below CT |
$242,300±$11kLowest 34% below CT |
| Preston and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,433±$1kHighest 4% below CT |
— | $1,285±$288 14% below CT |
$1,253±$68Lowest 16% below CT |
| Preston and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,749 29% below CT |
$4,793Highest 28% below CT |
$4,364Lowest 34% below CT |
$4,703 29% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±12.5 CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
52.5%±51.5Lowest CT: 52.6% |
56.2%±7.2 CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
5.7% CT: 10% |
5.7% CT: 10% |
16.7%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.7% CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
90% CT: 66.5% |
53.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1970 3 yrs newer than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1980Highest 13 yrs newer than CT |
1957Lowest 10 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 17% below CT |
32 minHighest 20% above CT |
29 min 9% above CT |
24 min 9% below CT |
| Work from home | 10.3%±6 CT: 16% |
9%±3.7 CT: 16% |
17.7%±5.1Highest CT: 16% |
7.2%±2Lowest CT: 16% |
| Hampton and Preston 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 | #93 of 149 in CT | — | — | #133 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Preston School District | Union School District | Hampton School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Norwich School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Norwich Free Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 14.8 |
| 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.