Compare towns
Sterling vs Hampton vs Killingly vs Ashford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Sterling has the most kids (22.8% under 18).
Hampton has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
Killingly has the most renters (28.4% rent).
Ashford has the most expensive homes ($335k median).
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 | Sterling | Hampton | Killingly | Ashford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,629 |
1,647Lowest |
17,867Highest |
4,226 |
| Median age | 39.4±5.9 4% below CT |
51.5±5.3Highest 25% above CT |
39.5±3 4% below CT |
37.9±10.3Lowest 8% below CT |
| Kids under 18 | 22.8%±5.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
19.7%±5.3 CT: 20.2% |
19.8%±2.3 CT: 20.2% |
18.5%±5.5Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Sterling and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 13%±3.8Lowest CT: 18.5% |
26.1%±2.1Highest CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±2.4 CT: 18.5% |
18.9%±3.7 CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 18%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
29.9% CT: 42.5% |
22.9% CT: 42.5% |
35.3%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±1.9Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.4%±1.7 CT: 7.1% |
| Killingly and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $102,695±$12k 7% above CT |
$109,167±$19k 14% above CT |
$84,350±$8kLowest 12% below CT |
$121,926±$23kHighest 27% above CT |
| Ashford and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $283,400±$17kLowest 23% below CT |
$295,800±$27k 19% below CT |
$288,600±$15k 21% below CT |
$334,800±$18kHighest 9% below CT |
| Ashford and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,285±$288Highest 14% below CT |
$1,044±$141Lowest 30% below CT |
$1,246±$208 16% below CT |
| Hampton and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,551 31% below CT |
$4,364 34% below CT |
$3,922Lowest 41% below CT |
$6,982Highest 5% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32%±18.1Lowest CT: 52.6% |
52.5%±51.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
42.8%±10.9 CT: 52.6% |
47%±26 CT: 52.6% |
| Hampton and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.3% CT: 10% |
5.7% CT: 10% |
11.4%Highest CT: 10% |
5.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81.1% CT: 66.5% |
90%Highest CT: 66.5% |
71.6%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
76.8% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1980 13 yrs newer than CT |
1968Lowest 1 yr newer than CT |
1982 15 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 34% above CT |
29 min 9% above CT |
28 minLowest 5% above CT |
34 min 30% above CT |
| Work from home | 11.6%±6.4 CT: 16% |
17.7%±5.1 CT: 16% |
11.1%±2.3Lowest CT: 16% |
19.3%±5.5Highest CT: 16% |
| Ashford and Hampton 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 | #119 of 149 in CT | — | #136 of 149 in CT | #90 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Sterling School District | Hampton School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | Ashford School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Killingly High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 11.1 |
— |
| 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.