Compare towns
Sandy Hook vs Willimantic vs Stepney 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%).
Willimantic has the most renters (65.1% rent).
Stepney has the oldest population (median age 47.1).
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 | Willimantic | Stepney | Monroe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,863 |
18,096 |
3,979Lowest |
18,949Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +2.3% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 43.1±3 5% above CT |
31.3±2.7Lowest 24% below CT |
47.1±5.6Highest 15% above CT |
43.5±2.2 6% above CT |
| Stepney 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% |
20.6%±2.5Lowest CT: 20.2% |
21.1%±5.6 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%±2.4 CT: 18.5% |
11%±1.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
17.7%±4.1Highest CT: 18.5% |
15.6%±2 CT: 18.5% |
| Stepney 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% |
24.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
54.2% CT: 42.5% |
57.3% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.2%±2.1 CT: 7.1% |
19.1%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
10.1%±5.4 CT: 7.1% |
5.1%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $160,814±$25kHighest 68% above CT |
$45,962±$7kLowest 52% below CT |
$153,966±$16k 61% above 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 |
$190,900±$17kLowest 48% below CT |
$475,800±$53k 30% above 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±$439 25% above CT |
$1,063±$68 29% below CT |
$2,750±$1kHighest 85% above CT |
$994±$860Lowest 33% 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 |
$4,678Lowest 30% below CT |
$9,309 40% above CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.4%±26.6 CT: 52.6% |
55.9%±8.1 CT: 52.6% |
63.2%±48.8Highest CT: 52.6% |
48.8%±46.4Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Stepney and Willimantic are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.6% CT: 10% |
23.4%Highest CT: 10% |
0.8%Lowest CT: 10% |
2.6% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.9% CT: 66.5% |
34.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
96.4%Highest CT: 66.5% |
95.7% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 12 yrs newer than CT |
1953Lowest 14 yrs older than CT |
1982Highest 15 yrs newer than CT |
1978 11 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 min 33% above CT |
23 minLowest 12% below CT |
37 minHighest 41% above CT |
34 min 29% above CT |
| Work from home | 23.1%±4.4Highest CT: 16% |
6.2%±2Lowest CT: 16% |
9.8%±4.3 CT: 16% |
15.4%±3.3 CT: 16% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | — | — | #48 of 149 in CT |
| School district | — | — | — | Monroe School District |
| High school 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 | 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.