Compare towns
Union vs Chaplin vs Colebrook vs Ashford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Union has the shortest commute (32 min average).
Chaplin has the most affordable homes ($255k median).
Colebrook has the oldest population (median age 52.1).
Ashford has the youngest population (median age 37.9).
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 | Union | Chaplin | Colebrook | Ashford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 944Lowest |
2,070 |
1,494 |
4,226Highest |
| Median age | 49.9±4.3 21% above CT |
43.7±4.8 6% above CT |
52.1±5Highest 27% above CT |
37.9±10.3Lowest 8% below CT |
| Colebrook and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±4.3 CT: 20.2% |
15.7%±4.2Lowest CT: 20.2% |
17.9%±3.9 CT: 20.2% |
18.5%±5.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Ashford and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 24.5%±2.6 CT: 18.5% |
20.9%±4.4 CT: 18.5% |
26%±4.2Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.9%±3.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Colebrook and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 24%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
25.4% CT: 42.5% |
36.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
35.3% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
10.1%±6.2Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±1.8 CT: 7.1% |
4.4%±1.7Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Chaplin and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $88,958±$14kLowest 7% below CT |
$97,846±$14k about the CT average |
$111,250±$17k 16% above CT |
$121,926±$23kHighest 27% above CT |
| Ashford and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $330,400±$26k 10% below CT |
$255,200±$24kLowest 30% below CT |
$342,800±$19kHighest 7% below CT |
$334,800±$18k 9% below CT |
| Colebrook and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,473±$275Highest about the CT average |
$1,333±$626 10% below CT |
$1,246±$208Lowest 16% below CT |
| Chaplin and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,793 28% below CT |
$4,524Lowest 32% below CT |
$6,211 7% below CT |
$6,982Highest 5% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
33.6%±27.7Lowest CT: 52.6% |
42.1%±55 CT: 52.6% |
47%±26 CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.7% CT: 10% |
5.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
8.3%Highest CT: 10% |
5.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
82.9% CT: 66.5% |
91.6% CT: 66.5% |
76.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1979 12 yrs newer than CT |
1960Lowest 7 yrs older than CT |
1982Highest 15 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minLowest 20% above CT |
32 min 22% above CT |
34 min 29% above CT |
34 minHighest 30% above CT |
| Work from home | 9%±3.7 CT: 16% |
18.1%±10 CT: 16% |
7%±3.8Lowest CT: 16% |
19.3%±5.5Highest CT: 16% |
| Ashford and Chaplin 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 | — | — | — | #90 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Union School District | Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 | Colebrook School District | Ashford School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Parish Hill High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 7.5 |
— | — |
| 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.