Compare towns
Torrington vs Putnam vs Plainfield vs Meriden
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Torrington has the most affordable homes ($216k median).
Putnam has the oldest population (median age 43.7).
Plainfield has the most homeowners (73.6%).
Meriden has the most kids (21.9% 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 | Torrington | Putnam | Plainfield | Meriden |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 35,547 |
9,292Lowest |
15,141 |
60,545Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.4%Lowest CT: +0.9% |
— | — | 0%Highest CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 42.9±1.8 4% above CT |
43.7±3Highest 6% above CT |
37±4.5Lowest 10% below CT |
38.9±1.3 5% below CT |
| Putnam and Torrington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.9%±1.6Lowest CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.6 CT: 20.2% |
19.4%±2.6 CT: 20.2% |
21.9%±1.6Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Meriden and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.2%±1.5Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.5%±3.1 CT: 18.5% |
16.6%±2.4 CT: 18.5% |
16.2%±1.2Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Torrington and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 24.8%Highest CT: 42.5% |
20% CT: 42.5% |
15%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
22.2% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.7%±1.1 CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.8Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±0.9Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $70,856±$5k 26% below CT |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
$76,993±$8kHighest 20% below CT |
$71,253±$4k 26% below CT |
| Plainfield and Meriden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $215,500±$8kLowest 41% below CT |
$269,200±$11k 27% below CT |
$272,100±$16kHighest 26% below CT |
$241,200±$7k 34% below CT |
| Plainfield and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$43 21% below CT |
$1,149±$44Lowest 23% below CT |
$1,204±$70 19% below CT |
$1,294±$72Highest 13% below CT |
| Meriden and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,042 24% below CT |
$3,860Lowest 42% below CT |
$4,209 37% below CT |
$5,129Highest 23% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48%±6.3 CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
39.8%±9.5 CT: 52.6% |
53.4%±4.9Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Meriden and Torrington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 13.7%Highest CT: 10% |
11.5% CT: 10% |
8.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
13.2% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 66.1% CT: 66.5% |
59.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
73.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
60.1% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1960Lowest 7 yrs older than CT |
1961 6 yrs older than CT |
1971Highest 4 yrs newer than CT |
1960Lowest 7 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 6% below CT |
25 min 6% below CT |
27 minHighest about the CT average |
23 minLowest 13% below CT |
| Work from home | 9%±1.6 CT: 16% |
9%±2.8 CT: 16% |
10%±4Highest CT: 16% |
8.6%±1.6Lowest CT: 16% |
| Plainfield and Torrington 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 | #132 of 149 in CT | #128 of 149 in CT | #131 of 149 in CT | #124 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Torrington School District | Putnam School District | Plainfield School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Meriden School District |
| High school in town | Torrington High School | Putnam High School | Plainfield High School | Francis T. Maloney High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.9 |
9.5Lowest |
10.3 |
16.2Highest |
| 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.