Compare towns

Prospect vs Monroe vs Willimantic

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Prospect has the oldest population (median age 46.8).
Monroe has the most people working from home (15.4%).
Willimantic has the most renters (65.1% 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.

MeasureProspectMonroeWillimantic
People
Population
9,458Lowest
18,949Highest
18,096
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
+2.3%
CT: +0.9%
Median age
46.8±3.9Highest
14% above CT
43.5±2.2
6% above CT
31.3±2.7Lowest
24% below CT
Prospect and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.4%±4.1
CT: 20.2%
25.2%±3Highest
CT: 20.2%
20.6%±2.5Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Monroe and Prospect are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.5%±4.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
15.6%±2
CT: 18.5%
11%±1.7Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
40.3%
CT: 42.5%
57.3%Highest
CT: 42.5%
24.2%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.8Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.1%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
19.1%±2.1Highest
CT: 7.1%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$126,394±$18k
32% above CT
$157,250±$12kHighest
64% above CT
$45,962±$7kLowest
52% below CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$355,400±$21k
3% below CT
$503,200±$31kHighest
37% above CT
$190,900±$17kLowest
48% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,800±$433Highest
21% above CT
$994±$860Lowest
33% below CT
$1,063±$68
29% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,504
about the CT average
$10,000+Highest
at least 51% above CT
$4,678Lowest
30% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.3%±31.8Lowest
CT: 52.6%
48.8%±46.4
CT: 52.6%
55.9%±8.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
Willimantic and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.2%
CT: 10%
2.6%Lowest
CT: 10%
23.4%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.5%
CT: 66.5%
95.7%Highest
CT: 66.5%
34.9%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
7 yrs newer than CT
1978Highest
11 yrs newer than CT
1953Lowest
14 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
4% above CT
34 minHighest
29% above CT
23 minLowest
12% below CT
Work from home
10.1%±3.2
CT: 16%
15.4%±3.3Highest
CT: 16%
6.2%±2Lowest
CT: 16%
Monroe and Prospect 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 #50 of 149 in CT #48 of 149 in CT —
School district Regional School District 16 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

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.