Compare towns
Salem vs Killingly vs Danielson vs Colchester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Salem has the most homeowners (86.6%).
Killingly has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Danielson has the most renters (47% rent).
Colchester has the oldest population (median age 43.5).
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 | Salem | Killingly | Danielson | Colchester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,282 |
17,867Highest |
4,209Lowest |
15,648 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | +2.6% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 40.9±5.4 about the CT average |
39.5±3 4% below CT |
34.5±3.6Lowest 16% below CT |
43.5±3.8Highest 6% above CT |
| Colchester and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 23.2%±5.1Highest CT: 20.2% |
19.8%±2.3 CT: 20.2% |
18.9%±6.1Lowest CT: 20.2% |
20.7%±2.8 CT: 20.2% |
| Salem and Colchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.7%±4.7 CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±2.4 CT: 18.5% |
13.6%±4.9Lowest CT: 18.5% |
20.3%±2.4Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Colchester and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 50.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
22.9% CT: 42.5% |
11.5%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
49.7% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
9.2%±6.6Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.6%±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 | $123,245±$8kHighest 29% above CT |
$84,350±$8k 12% below CT |
$64,050±$15kLowest 33% below CT |
$122,390±$14k 28% above CT |
| Salem and Colchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $403,600±$33kHighest 10% above CT |
$288,600±$15k 21% below CT |
$224,600±$13kLowest 39% below CT |
$366,800±$16k about the CT average |
| Salem and Colchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,440±$150 3% below CT |
$1,044±$141Lowest 30% below CT |
$1,235±$194 17% below CT |
$1,474±$153Highest about the CT average |
| Colchester and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,668Highest about the CT average |
$3,922Lowest 41% below CT |
$4,009 40% below CT |
$6,212 6% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32.1%±26Lowest CT: 52.6% |
42.8%±10.9 CT: 52.6% |
44.7%±17.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
44.4%±10.4 CT: 52.6% |
| Danielson and Colchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6.2% CT: 10% |
11.4% CT: 10% |
21.1%Highest CT: 10% |
3.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
71.6% CT: 66.5% |
53%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
76.5% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1968 1 yr newer than CT |
1951Lowest 16 yrs older than CT |
1984 17 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 19% above CT |
28 minLowest 5% above CT |
28 min 7% above CT |
30 min 14% above CT |
| Work from home | 18%±9.6 CT: 16% |
11.1%±2.3 CT: 16% |
6.6%±5.3Lowest CT: 16% |
18.4%±3.8Highest CT: 16% |
| Colchester and Salem 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 | #11 of 149 in CT | #136 of 149 in CT | — | #64 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Salem School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | — | Colchester School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Killingly High School | — | Bacon Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.1Highest |
— | 9.8Lowest |
| 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.