Compare towns

Stafford vs Killingly vs Windsor Locks 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 oldest population (median age 46.7).
Killingly has the youngest population (median age 39.5).
Windsor Locks has the shortest commute (22 min average).
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.

MeasureStaffordKillinglyWindsor LocksEllington
People
Population
11,511Lowest
17,867Highest
12,579
16,455
Median age
46.7±4.8Highest
14% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
41.4±2.6
about the CT average
40.9±2.4
about the CT average
Stafford and Windsor Locks 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%
18.6%±3.4Lowest
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%
18.2%±2.7Lowest
CT: 18.5%
18.8%±2.8
CT: 18.5%
Stafford and Killingly 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%
28.6%
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%
5.9%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
6%±2.2Highest
CT: 7.1%
Ellington and Windsor Locks 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±$8k
12% below CT
$81,205±$13kLowest
15% below CT
$129,913±$17kHighest
36% above CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$263,800±$22k
28% below CT
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$258,800±$14kLowest
29% below CT
$366,900±$17kHighest
about the CT average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,086±$85
27% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,394±$187
6% below CT
$1,737±$212Highest
17% above CT
Ellington and Windsor Locks 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
$3,922
41% below CT
$3,688Lowest
44% below CT
$6,751Highest
about the CT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.5%±12.2Lowest
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
58.2%±16.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
45.5%±10.3
CT: 52.6%
Windsor Locks and Ellington 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%
10.9%
CT: 10%
2.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.5%Highest
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
77.1%
CT: 66.5%
72.2%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1970
3 yrs newer than CT
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 min
about the CT average
28 min
5% above CT
22 minLowest
17% below CT
31 minHighest
18% above CT
Work from home
11%±3.5Lowest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
17.7%±3.7
CT: 16%
18.4%±3.9Highest
CT: 16%
Ellington and Windsor Locks 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 #109 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 Windsor Locks School District Ellington School District
High school in town Stafford High School Killingly High School Windsor Locks High School Ellington High School
Students per teacherat that high school
9.8
11.1Highest
8.9Lowest
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.