Compare towns
Torrington vs Washington vs Plainfield vs Harwinton
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).
Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k median).
Plainfield has the youngest population (median age 37).
Harwinton has the highest household income ($130k).
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 | Washington | Plainfield | Harwinton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 35,547Highest |
3,676Lowest |
15,141 |
5,575 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.4% CT: +0.9% |
— | — | — |
| Median age | 42.9±1.8 4% above CT |
49.9±5.5Highest 21% above CT |
37±4.5Lowest 10% below CT |
46.1±4.3 12% above CT |
| Washington and Harwinton 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% |
19%±4.7 CT: 20.2% |
19.4%±2.6 CT: 20.2% |
20%±4.2Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Harwinton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.2%±1.5 CT: 18.5% |
26.9%±5.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
16.6%±2.4Lowest CT: 18.5% |
22.1%±3.5 CT: 18.5% |
| Washington and Harwinton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 24.8% CT: 42.5% |
53.7%Highest CT: 42.5% |
15%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
40.3% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.7%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
6.4%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.8 CT: 7.1% |
6.7%±2.9Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Harwinton and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $70,856±$5kLowest 26% below CT |
$101,549±$16k 6% above CT |
$76,993±$8k 20% below CT |
$129,643±$18kHighest 35% above CT |
| Harwinton and Washington 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 |
$660,200±$130kHighest 80% above CT |
$272,100±$16k 26% below CT |
$352,100±$16k 4% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$43Lowest 21% below CT |
$1,204±$264 19% below CT |
$1,204±$70 19% below CT |
$1,504±$200Highest about the CT average |
| Harwinton and Washington 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 |
$4,709 29% below CT |
$4,209Lowest 37% below CT |
$5,503Highest 17% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48%±6.3Highest CT: 52.6% |
26.1%±24Lowest CT: 52.6% |
39.8%±9.5 CT: 52.6% |
27.8%±27.9 CT: 52.6% |
| Torrington and Plainfield 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% |
9% CT: 10% |
8.7% CT: 10% |
4.8%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 66.1%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
79% CT: 66.5% |
73.6% CT: 66.5% |
93%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1960Lowest 7 yrs older than CT |
1971Highest 4 yrs newer than CT |
1971Highest 4 yrs newer than CT |
1961 6 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 6% below CT |
26 min 4% below CT |
27 minHighest about the CT average |
26 min 3% below CT |
| Work from home | 9%±1.6Lowest CT: 16% |
20.1%±9Highest CT: 16% |
10%±4 CT: 16% |
13.5%±4.7 CT: 16% |
| Washington and Harwinton 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 | #17 of 149 in CT | #131 of 149 in CT | #34 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Torrington School District | Regional School District 12 | Plainfield School District | Regional School District 10 |
| High school in town | Torrington High School | Shepaug Valley School | Plainfield High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.9Highest |
9.1Lowest |
10.3 |
— |
| 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.