Compare towns
Sterling vs Union vs Willimantic 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).
Union has the oldest population (median age 49.9).
Willimantic has the most renters (65.1% rent).
Ashford has the most people working from home (19.3%).
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 | Willimantic | Ashford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,629 |
944Lowest |
18,096Highest |
4,226 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | +2.3% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 39.4±5.9 4% below CT |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
31.3±2.7Lowest 24% below CT |
37.9±10.3 8% below CT |
| Kids under 18 | 22.8%±5.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
20.6%±2.5 CT: 20.2% |
18.5%±5.5 CT: 20.2% |
| Sterling and Willimantic are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 13%±3.8 CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
11%±1.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
18.9%±3.7 CT: 18.5% |
| Union and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 18%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
24% CT: 42.5% |
24.2% CT: 42.5% |
35.3%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±1.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
19.1%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.4%±1.7 CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $102,695±$12k 7% above CT |
$88,958±$14k 7% below CT |
$45,962±$7kLowest 52% below CT |
$121,926±$23kHighest 27% above CT |
| Ashford 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±$17k 23% below CT |
$330,400±$26k 10% below CT |
$190,900±$17kLowest 48% below CT |
$334,800±$18kHighest 9% below CT |
| Ashford and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | — | $1,063±$68Lowest 29% below CT |
$1,246±$208Highest 16% below CT |
| Ashford and Willimantic are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,551Lowest 31% below CT |
$4,793 28% below CT |
$4,678 30% below CT |
$6,982Highest 5% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32%±18.1Lowest CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
55.9%±8.1 CT: 52.6% |
47%±26 CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Willimantic 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% |
23.4%Highest CT: 10% |
5.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81.1% CT: 66.5% |
92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
34.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
76.8% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1953Lowest 14 yrs older than CT |
1982 15 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 34% above CT |
32 min 20% above CT |
23 minLowest 12% below CT |
34 min 30% above CT |
| Work from home | 11.6%±6.4 CT: 16% |
9%±3.7 CT: 16% |
6.2%±2Lowest CT: 16% |
19.3%±5.5Highest CT: 16% |
| Ashford and Sterling 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 | — | — | #90 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Sterling School District | Union School District | — | Ashford 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 | 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.