Compare towns

Smithfield vs Killingly vs Bristol vs Lincoln

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Smithfield has the most homeowners (81.6%).
Killingly has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Bristol has the most renters (33.9% rent).
Lincoln has the most kids (21.5% 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.

MeasureSmithfieldKillinglyBristolLincoln
People
Population
22,233
17,867Lowest
22,220
22,864Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
—
-2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+6.7%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
41.8±2.6
7% above U.S.
39.5±3Lowest
about the U.S. average
43±2.2
11% above U.S.
43.7±2.2Highest
12% above U.S.
Lincoln and Bristol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.9%±2.4
U.S.: 22%
19.8%±2.3
U.S.: 22%
12.9%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.5%±3Highest
U.S.: 22%
Lincoln and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±2.1
U.S.: 17.2%
19.7%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.9%±2
U.S.: 17.2%
24%±2.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Lincoln and Bristol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
40%
U.S.: 35.7%
22.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
47.6%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
45.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
16.7%±0.9
U.S.: 6.4%
5.4%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
18.6%±1.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.8%±1.8
U.S.: 6.4%
Bristol and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$102,077±$8k
26% above U.S.
$84,350±$8kLowest
4% above U.S.
$97,764±$8k
21% above U.S.
$104,821±$15kHighest
30% above U.S.
Lincoln and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$446,400±$12k
34% above U.S.
$288,600±$15kLowest
13% below U.S.
$485,000±$25kHighest
46% above U.S.
$450,600±$17k
35% above U.S.
Bristol and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,016±$241Lowest
28% below U.S.
$1,044±$141
26% below U.S.
$1,579±$118Highest
12% above U.S.
$1,468±$152
4% above U.S.
Bristol and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,207
67% above U.S.
$3,922Lowest
26% above U.S.
$5,393Highest
73% above U.S.
$4,751
52% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.1%±17.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
42.8%±10.9
U.S.: 51.1%
37.9%±8.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
40.4%±9.8
U.S.: 51.1%
Smithfield and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
11.4%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
7.4%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
71.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
66.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
72.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
4 yrs older than U.S.
1968
12 yrs older than U.S.
1964Lowest
16 yrs older than U.S.
1970
10 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
7% below U.S.
28 minHighest
6% above U.S.
25 min
6% below U.S.
24 minLowest
8% below U.S.
Work from home
14%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.1%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.2%±2.7
U.S.: 15.1%
13.3%±3.4
U.S.: 15.1%
Smithfield and Lincoln 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 #8 of 38 in RI #136 of 149 in CT #20 of 38 in RI #21 of 38 in RI
School district Smithfield Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Bristol Warren Davies Career and Tech · Blackstone Valley Prep A RI Mayoral Academy
High school in town Smithfield High School Killingly High School Mt. Hope High School Lincoln Senior High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.8
11.1Lowest
12.5
14.7Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.