Compare towns
Sandy Hook vs Derby vs Monroe
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Sandy Hook has the most people working from home (23.1%).
Derby has the most affordable homes ($257k median).
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 | Sandy Hook | Derby | Monroe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 9,863Lowest |
12,487 |
18,949Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 43.1±3Lowest 5% above CT |
46.4±3.1Highest 13% above CT |
43.5±2.2 6% above CT |
| Derby and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 22.6%±4.1 CT: 20.2% |
14.6%±2.9Lowest CT: 20.2% |
25.2%±3Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Monroe and Sandy Hook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 14.4%±2.4Lowest CT: 18.5% |
21.1%±3.9Highest CT: 18.5% |
15.6%±2 CT: 18.5% |
| Derby and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 60.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
35.6%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
57.3% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.2%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.9%±2 CT: 7.1% |
5.1%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Sandy Hook and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $160,814±$25kHighest 68% above CT |
$79,500±$11kLowest 17% below 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 | $501,200±$33k 37% above CT |
$256,700±$21kLowest 30% below 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 | $1,866±$439Highest 25% above CT |
$1,452±$95 about the CT average |
$994±$860Lowest 33% below CT |
| Sandy Hook and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$5,510Lowest 17% below CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.4%±26.6 CT: 52.6% |
53.9%±12.6Highest CT: 52.6% |
48.8%±46.4Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Derby and Sandy Hook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.6% CT: 10% |
10.8%Highest CT: 10% |
2.6%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.9% CT: 66.5% |
61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
95.7%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 12 yrs newer than CT |
1967Lowest same as CT |
1978 11 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 33% above CT |
27 minLowest about the CT average |
34 min 29% above CT |
| Work from home | 23.1%±4.4Highest CT: 16% |
15.1%±4.8Lowest CT: 16% |
15.4%±3.3 CT: 16% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | #138 of 149 in CT | #48 of 149 in CT |
| School district | — | Derby School District | Monroe School District |
| High school in town | — | Derby High School | Masuk High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.7Lowest |
12.8Highest |
| 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.