Compare towns

Shelton vs Putnam vs Trumbull

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).
Trumbull has the most people working from home (22.5%).

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.

MeasureSheltonPutnamTrumbull
People
Population
41,889Highest
9,292Lowest
37,281
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
41.7±1.3Lowest
about the CT average
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%
26.9%±2.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
Age 65+
21.4%±1.5Highest
CT: 18.5%
18.5%±3.1
CT: 18.5%
18.1%±1.4Lowest
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%
60.1%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.8%±1Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.9%±1.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
4.1%±0.9
CT: 7.1%
Shelton and Trumbull 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
$163,073±$11kHighest
70% above CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$452,600±$13k
23% above CT
$269,200±$11kLowest
27% below CT
$547,300±$21kHighest
49% above CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,741±$216
17% above CT
$1,149±$44Lowest
23% below CT
$2,266±$255Highest
52% above 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%±9.8
CT: 52.6%
37.7%±11.6Lowest
CT: 52.6%
60.8%±11.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
Trumbull and Shelton 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%
5.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
76.5%
CT: 66.5%
59.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
89.7%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Highest
10 yrs newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1965
2 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
14% above CT
25 minLowest
6% below CT
33 minHighest
25% above CT
Work from home
13.9%±2.8
CT: 16%
9%±2.8Lowest
CT: 16%
22.5%±3.2Highest
CT: 16%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #71 of 149 in CT #128 of 149 in CT #26 of 149 in CT
School district Shelton School District Putnam School District Trumbull School District
High school in town Shelton High School Putnam High School Trumbull High School
Students per teacherat that high school
14.3
9.5Lowest
14.5Highest
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.