Compare towns
Sterling vs Union vs Franklin
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 people working from home (11.6%).
Union has the oldest population (median age 49.9).
Franklin has the most kids (27.2% 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.
| Measure | Sterling | Union | Franklin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,629Highest |
944Lowest |
2,004 |
| Median age | 39.4±5.9Lowest 4% below CT |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
40.3±4.3 about the CT average |
| Kids under 18 | 22.8%±5.9 CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
27.2%±5.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Franklin and Sterling 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% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
17.4%±1.9 CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 18%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
24% CT: 42.5% |
27.8%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±1.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.2%±1.4 CT: 7.1% |
| Union and Franklin 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 |
$88,958±$14kLowest 7% below CT |
$105,000±$10kHighest 10% above CT |
| Franklin and Sterling 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 |
$330,400±$26kHighest 10% below CT |
$326,200±$20k 11% below CT |
| Union and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | — | $767±$529 48% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,551 31% below CT |
$4,793Highest 28% below CT |
$3,934Lowest 41% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32%±18.1 CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
19.5%±18.4Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Sterling 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%Lowest CT: 10% |
8.7%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81.1%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
84.1% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1973Lowest 6 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 34% above CT |
32 min 20% above CT |
27 minLowest about the CT average |
| Work from home | 11.6%±6.4Highest CT: 16% |
9%±3.7 CT: 16% |
6.8%±2.4Lowest CT: 16% |
| Sterling and Union 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 | — | — |
| School district | Sterling School District | Union School District | Franklin School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.