Compare towns
Shelton vs Plainfield vs Stratford
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 expensive homes ($453k median).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Stratford has the most homeowners (81.6%).
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 | Shelton | Plainfield | Stratford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 41,889 |
15,141Lowest |
52,790Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.3% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 44.5±1.5 8% above CT |
37±4.5Lowest 10% below CT |
45.7±1.4Highest 11% above CT |
| Stratford 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% |
19.4%±2.6Highest CT: 20.2% |
18.3%±1.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Plainfield and Shelton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.4%±1.5Highest CT: 18.5% |
16.6%±2.4Lowest CT: 18.5% |
20.7%±1.6 CT: 18.5% |
| Shelton and Stratford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 41.7%Highest CT: 42.5% |
15%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
37.7% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±1 CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.9%±1Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Stratford 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±$11kHighest 13% above CT |
$76,993±$8kLowest 20% below CT |
$95,815±$7k about the CT average |
| Shelton and Stratford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $452,600±$13kHighest 23% above CT |
$272,100±$16kLowest 26% below CT |
$372,200±$8k about the CT average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,741±$216Highest 17% above CT |
$1,204±$70Lowest 19% below CT |
$1,706±$75 15% above CT |
| Shelton and Stratford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,409 19% below CT |
$4,209Lowest 37% below CT |
$7,420Highest 12% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.8%±9.8 CT: 52.6% |
39.8%±9.5Lowest CT: 52.6% |
59.3%±7.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Stratford and Shelton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.6%Lowest CT: 10% |
8.7%Highest CT: 10% |
6.7% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 76.5% CT: 66.5% |
73.6%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
81.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977Highest 10 yrs newer than CT |
1971 4 yrs newer than CT |
1958Lowest 9 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 14% above CT |
27 minLowest about the CT average |
30 min 13% above CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±2.8 CT: 16% |
10%±4Lowest CT: 16% |
14.6%±1.9Highest CT: 16% |
| Stratford and Shelton 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 | #131 of 149 in CT | #134 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Shelton School District | Plainfield School District | Stratford School District |
| High school in town | Shelton High School | Plainfield High School | Stratford High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 14.3Highest |
10.3Lowest |
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.