Compare towns
Putnam vs Salem vs Danielson vs Thompson
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 shortest commute (25 min average).
Salem has the most expensive homes ($404k median).
Danielson has the most affordable homes ($225k median).
Thompson has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
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.
| Measure | Putnam | Salem | Danielson | Thompson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,292 |
4,282 |
4,209Lowest |
9,337Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | +2.6% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 43.7±3 6% above CT |
40.9±5.4 about the CT average |
34.5±3.6Lowest 16% below CT |
54.1±2.2Highest 32% above CT |
| Kids under 18 | 18.6%±3.6 CT: 20.2% |
23.2%±5.1Highest CT: 20.2% |
18.9%±6.1 CT: 20.2% |
11.4%±2.8Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Salem and Danielson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.5%±3.1 CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±4.7 CT: 18.5% |
13.6%±4.9Lowest CT: 18.5% |
24.4%±4.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Thompson and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 20% CT: 42.5% |
50.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
11.5%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
21.9% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±1.4 CT: 7.1% |
5.8%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
9.2%±6.6Highest CT: 7.1% |
2.9%±1.3Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Danielson and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $70,561±$7k 26% below CT |
$123,245±$8kHighest 29% above CT |
$64,050±$15kLowest 33% below CT |
$93,629±$18k about the CT average |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $269,200±$11k 27% below CT |
$403,600±$33kHighest 10% above CT |
$224,600±$13kLowest 39% below CT |
$291,900±$24k 20% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,149±$44 23% below CT |
$1,440±$150Highest 3% below CT |
$1,235±$194 17% below CT |
$1,012±$344Lowest 32% below CT |
| Salem and Danielson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,860 42% below CT |
$6,668Highest about the CT average |
$4,009 40% below CT |
$3,822Lowest 42% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 37.7%±11.6 CT: 52.6% |
32.1%±26Lowest CT: 52.6% |
44.7%±17.1 CT: 52.6% |
54%±18.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Thompson and Danielson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 11.5% CT: 10% |
6.2% CT: 10% |
21.1%Highest CT: 10% |
5.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 59.8% CT: 66.5% |
86.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
53%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
84.3% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1961 6 yrs older than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1951Lowest 16 yrs older than CT |
1963 4 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 6% below CT |
32 min 19% above CT |
28 min 7% above CT |
32 minHighest 20% above CT |
| Work from home | 9%±2.8 CT: 16% |
18%±9.6Highest CT: 16% |
6.6%±5.3Lowest CT: 16% |
13.1%±4.4 CT: 16% |
| Salem and Thompson 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 | #128 of 149 in CT | #11 of 149 in CT | — | #130 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Putnam School District | Salem School District | — | Thompson School District |
| High school in town | Putnam High School | None in town | — | Tourtellotte Memorial High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.5Highest |
— | — | 7.9Lowest |
| 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.