Compare towns

Stafford vs Killingly vs Chaplin vs Ellington

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Stafford has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Killingly has the youngest population (median age 39.5).
Chaplin has the most homeowners (82.9%).
Ellington has the highest household income ($130k).

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.

MeasureStaffordKillinglyChaplinEllington
People
Population
11,511
17,867Highest
2,070Lowest
16,455
Median age
46.7±4.8Highest
14% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
43.7±4.8
6% above CT
40.9±2.4
about the CT average
Stafford and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.5%±3.1
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
15.7%±4.2Lowest
CT: 20.2%
24%±3.2Highest
CT: 20.2%
Ellington and Stafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22%±3Highest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
20.9%±4.4
CT: 18.5%
18.8%±2.8Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Stafford and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.5%
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
25.4%
CT: 42.5%
51.4%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.3Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
10.1%±6.2Highest
CT: 7.1%
6%±2.2
CT: 7.1%
Chaplin and Ellington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$93,235±$16k
about the CT average
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$97,846±$14k
about the CT average
$129,913±$17kHighest
36% above CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$263,800±$22k
28% below CT
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$255,200±$24kLowest
30% below CT
$366,900±$17kHighest
about the CT average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,086±$85
27% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,473±$275
about the CT average
$1,737±$212Highest
17% above CT
Ellington and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,131
23% below CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$4,524
32% below CT
$6,751Highest
about the CT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.5%±12.2
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
33.6%±27.7Lowest
CT: 52.6%
45.5%±10.3Highest
CT: 52.6%
Ellington and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.4%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
5.4%
CT: 10%
2.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.5%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
82.9%Highest
CT: 66.5%
72.2%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1970
3 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1979
12 yrs newer than CT
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
about the CT average
28 min
5% above CT
32 minHighest
22% above CT
31 min
18% above CT
Work from home
11%±3.5Lowest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
18.1%±10
CT: 16%
18.4%±3.9Highest
CT: 16%
Ellington and Chaplin 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 #96 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT — #46 of 149 in CT
School district Stafford School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 Ellington School District
High school in town Stafford High School Killingly High School Parish Hill High School Ellington High School
Students per teacherat that high school
9.8
11.1Highest
7.5Lowest
10.3
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.