Compare towns

Thompson vs Haddam vs Stafford

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Thompson has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
Haddam has the most expensive homes ($380k median).
Stafford has the shortest commute (26 min average).

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.

MeasureThompsonHaddamStafford
People
Population
9,337
8,644Lowest
11,511Highest
Median age
54.1±2.2Highest
32% above CT
45.9±2.6Lowest
12% above CT
46.7±4.8
14% above CT
Kids under 18
11.4%±2.8Lowest
CT: 20.2%
21.3%±3.5
CT: 20.2%
21.5%±3.1Highest
CT: 20.2%
Stafford and Haddam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.4%±4.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
21%±2.9Lowest
CT: 18.5%
22%±3
CT: 18.5%
Thompson and Stafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
21.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
47.6%Highest
CT: 42.5%
28.5%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±1.3Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.2%±2.2Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.5%±1.3
CT: 7.1%
Haddam and Stafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$93,629±$18k
about the CT average
$114,426±$15kHighest
19% above CT
$93,235±$16kLowest
about the CT average
Haddam and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$291,900±$24k
20% below CT
$379,700±$25kHighest
3% above CT
$263,800±$22kLowest
28% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,012±$344Lowest
32% below CT
$1,567±$258Highest
5% above CT
$1,086±$85
27% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,822Lowest
42% below CT
$7,045Highest
6% above CT
$5,131
23% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
54%±18.7
CT: 52.6%
63.2%±47Highest
CT: 52.6%
41.5%±12.2Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Haddam and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%
CT: 10%
4.8%Lowest
CT: 10%
7.4%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.3%
CT: 66.5%
86.7%Highest
CT: 66.5%
79.5%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Lowest
4 yrs older than CT
1971Highest
4 yrs newer than CT
1970
3 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
20% above CT
31 min
16% above CT
26 minLowest
about the CT average
Work from home
13.1%±4.4Highest
CT: 16%
11.8%±3.3
CT: 16%
11%±3.5Lowest
CT: 16%
Thompson and Haddam 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 #130 of 149 in CT #25 of 149 in CT #96 of 149 in CT
School district Thompson School District Regional School District 17 Stafford School District
High school in town Tourtellotte Memorial High School Haddam-Killingworth High School Stafford High School
Students per teacherat that high school
7.9Lowest
9.5
9.8Highest
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.