Compare towns
Sterling vs Union vs Voluntown
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).
Union has the most homeowners (92.9%).
Voluntown has the most expensive homes ($356k 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 | Union | Voluntown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,629Highest |
944Lowest |
2,604 |
| Median age | 39.4±5.9Lowest 4% below CT |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
48.3±1.7 18% above CT |
| Union and Voluntown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 22.8%±5.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3 CT: 20.2% |
16.4%±3.5Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Sterling and Union 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% |
17.6%±3 CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 18%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
24% CT: 42.5% |
26.7%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.4%±1.6Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Union and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $102,695±$12kHighest 7% above CT |
$88,958±$14kLowest 7% below CT |
$101,964±$25k 6% above CT |
| Sterling and Voluntown 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±$26k 10% below CT |
$356,100±$16kHighest about the CT average |
| Voluntown and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | — | $1,166±$191 22% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,551Lowest 31% below CT |
$4,793 28% below CT |
$4,955Highest 25% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32%±18.1Lowest CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
42.9%±24.3 CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Voluntown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.3%Highest CT: 10% |
5.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
7.3% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81.1%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
83.5% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1976Lowest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1983 16 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 34% above CT |
32 min 20% above CT |
31 minLowest 18% above CT |
| Work from home | 11.6%±6.4Highest CT: 16% |
9%±3.7 CT: 16% |
8.9%±5.4Lowest 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 | — | #53 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Sterling School District | Union School District | Voluntown 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.