Compare towns
Shelton vs Putnam vs Monroe
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 oldest population (median age 44.5).
Putnam has the most affordable homes ($269k median).
Monroe has the highest household income ($157k).
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 | Putnam | Monroe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 41,889Highest |
9,292Lowest |
18,949 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.3% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 44.5±1.5Highest 8% above CT |
43.7±3 6% above CT |
43.5±2.2Lowest 6% above CT |
| Shelton and Putnam 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% |
18.6%±3.6Lowest CT: 20.2% |
25.2%±3Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Age 65+ | 21.4%±1.5Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.5%±3.1 CT: 18.5% |
15.6%±2Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Shelton and Putnam 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% |
20%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
57.3%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±1Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.1%±1.8 CT: 7.1% |
| Shelton and Monroe 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 |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
$157,250±$12kHighest 64% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $452,600±$13k 23% above CT |
$269,200±$11kLowest 27% below CT |
$503,200±$31kHighest 37% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,741±$216Highest 17% above CT |
$1,149±$44 23% below CT |
$994±$860Lowest 33% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,409 19% below CT |
$3,860Lowest 42% below CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.8%±9.8Highest CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
48.8%±46.4 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% CT: 10% |
11.5%Highest CT: 10% |
2.6%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 76.5% CT: 66.5% |
59.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
95.7%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 10 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1978Highest 11 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 14% above CT |
25 minLowest 6% below CT |
34 minHighest 29% above CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±2.8 CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Lowest CT: 16% |
15.4%±3.3Highest CT: 16% |
| Monroe 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 | #128 of 149 in CT | #48 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Shelton School District | Putnam School District | Monroe School District |
| High school in town | Shelton High School | Putnam High School | Masuk High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 14.3Highest |
9.5Lowest |
12.8 |
| 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.