Compare towns

Sandy Hook vs Stepney vs Canton

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 expensive homes ($501k median).
Stepney has the oldest population (median age 47.1).
Canton has the shortest commute (29 min average).

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.

MeasureSandy HookStepneyCanton
People
Population
9,863
3,979Lowest
10,144Highest
Median age
43.1±3Lowest
5% above CT
47.1±5.6Highest
15% above CT
45.3±5.2
10% above CT
Stepney and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.6%±4.1Highest
CT: 20.2%
21.1%±5.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
22.6%±4Highest
CT: 20.2%
Age 65+
14.4%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
17.7%±4.1
CT: 18.5%
23.5%±4.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
Canton and Stepney 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%
54.2%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
57.2%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.2%±2.1
CT: 7.1%
10.1%±5.4Highest
CT: 7.1%
2.9%±1.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Stepney and Sandy Hook 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
$153,966±$16k
61% above CT
$117,991±$20kLowest
23% above CT
Sandy Hook and Stepney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$501,200±$33kHighest
37% above CT
$475,800±$53k
30% above CT
$395,300±$24kLowest
8% above CT
Sandy Hook and Stepney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,866±$439
25% above CT
$2,750±$1kHighest
85% above CT
$1,403±$358Lowest
6% below CT
Stepney and Sandy Hook 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
$9,309
40% above CT
$7,232Lowest
9% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.4%±26.6Lowest
CT: 52.6%
63.2%±48.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
59.9%±28.9
CT: 52.6%
Stepney and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.6%
CT: 10%
0.8%Lowest
CT: 10%
5.7%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.9%
CT: 66.5%
96.4%Highest
CT: 66.5%
83.7%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
12 yrs newer than CT
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
1976Lowest
9 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
35 min
33% above CT
37 minHighest
41% above CT
29 minLowest
9% above CT
Work from home
23.1%±4.4
CT: 16%
9.8%±4.3Lowest
CT: 16%
24.8%±6.1Highest
CT: 16%
Canton and Sandy Hook 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 — — #22 of 149 in CT
School district — — Canton School District
High school in town — — Canton High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.6
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.