Compare towns

Shelton vs Monroe vs Newington

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Shelton has the most renters (23.5% rent).
Monroe has the highest household income ($157k).
Newington has the most affordable homes ($310k median).

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.

MeasureSheltonMonroeNewington
People
Population
41,889Highest
18,949Lowest
30,896
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.3%
CT: +0.9%
— —
Median age
44.5±1.5
8% above CT
43.5±2.2Lowest
6% above CT
45.3±1.7Highest
10% above CT
Newington and Shelton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.9%±1.7
CT: 20.2%
25.2%±3Highest
CT: 20.2%
16.3%±1.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Age 65+
21.4%±1.5Highest
CT: 18.5%
15.6%±2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
21.2%±1.6
CT: 18.5%
Shelton and Newington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
41.7%
CT: 42.5%
57.3%Highest
CT: 42.5%
40%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.8%±1
CT: 7.1%
5.1%±1.8Lowest
CT: 7.1%
6.6%±1.1Highest
CT: 7.1%
Newington and Shelton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$108,185±$11k
13% above CT
$157,250±$12kHighest
64% above CT
$102,884±$6kLowest
7% above CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$452,600±$13k
23% above CT
$503,200±$31kHighest
37% above CT
$310,400±$9kLowest
15% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,741±$216Highest
17% above CT
$994±$860Lowest
33% below CT
$1,524±$107
about the CT average
Shelton and Newington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,409Lowest
19% below CT
$10,000+Highest
at least 51% above CT
$6,321
5% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.8%±9.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
48.8%±46.4
CT: 52.6%
40.9%±2.1Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Shelton and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.6%Highest
CT: 10%
2.6%Lowest
CT: 10%
6.4%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
76.5%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
95.7%Highest
CT: 66.5%
78.2%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977
10 yrs newer than CT
1978Highest
11 yrs newer than CT
1967Lowest
same as CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
14% above CT
34 minHighest
29% above CT
21 minLowest
19% below CT
Work from home
13.9%±2.8Lowest
CT: 16%
15.4%±3.3Highest
CT: 16%
14.4%±2.3
CT: 16%
Monroe and Newington 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 #71 of 149 in CT #48 of 149 in CT #87 of 149 in CT
School district Shelton School District Monroe School District Newington School District
High school in town Shelton High School Masuk High School Newington High School
Students per teacherat that high school
14.3Highest
12.8Lowest
13.9
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.