Compare towns
Thompson vs Killingly vs Sterling
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Thompson has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
Killingly has the youngest population (median age 39.5).
Sterling has the most expensive homes ($499k 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 | Thompson | Killingly | Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 9,337 |
17,867Highest |
8,183Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | +2.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 54.1±2.2Highest 39% above U.S. |
39.5±3Lowest about the U.S. average |
51.5±1.8 32% above U.S. |
| Thompson and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 11.4%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
19.8%±2.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±4.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Killingly and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.4%±4.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.7%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.9%±4 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Thompson and Sterling 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 U.S.: 35.7% |
22.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
48.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Killingly and Sterling 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 16% above U.S. |
$84,350±$8kLowest 4% above U.S. |
$129,063±$27kHighest 60% above U.S. |
| Sterling 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 12% below U.S. |
$288,600±$15kLowest 13% below U.S. |
$498,800±$48kHighest 50% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,012±$344Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,044±$141 26% below U.S. |
$1,699±$161Highest 20% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,822Lowest 23% above U.S. |
$3,922 26% above U.S. |
$6,757Highest 117% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 54%±18.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
42.8%±10.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
46%±23.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Thompson and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
11.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
6% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
71.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1968 12 yrs older than U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 20% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 6% above U.S. |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 13.1%±4.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
11.1%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.3%±6.2Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Sterling and Thompson 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 | #136 of 149 in CT | #135 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Thompson School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | Wachusett |
| High school in town | Tourtellotte Memorial High School | Killingly High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 7.9Lowest |
11.1Highest |
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| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.