Compare towns
Union vs Chester 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 most homeowners (92.9%).
Chester has the most expensive homes ($442k median).
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 | Chester | Ashford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 944Lowest |
3,825 |
4,226Highest |
| Median age | 49.9±4.3 21% above CT |
54±3.4Highest 31% above CT |
37.9±10.3Lowest 8% below CT |
| Chester and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±4.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
17.5%±4.9 CT: 20.2% |
18.5%±5.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Ashford and Chester 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% |
26.8%±4Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.9%±3.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Chester 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% |
47.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
35.3% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
4%±2.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
4.4%±1.7 CT: 7.1% |
| Union and Ashford 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 |
$109,191±$18k 14% above CT |
$121,926±$23kHighest 27% above CT |
| Ashford and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $330,400±$26kLowest 10% below CT |
$442,200±$25kHighest 21% above CT |
$334,800±$18k 9% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,549±$247Highest 4% above CT |
$1,246±$208Lowest 16% below CT |
| Chester and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,793Lowest 28% below CT |
$6,364 4% below CT |
$6,982Highest 5% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
57.4%±22.1 CT: 52.6% |
47%±26Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.7% CT: 10% |
11.8%Highest CT: 10% |
5.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
73.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
76.8% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1969Lowest 2 yrs newer than CT |
1982Highest 15 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 20% above CT |
28 minLowest 7% above CT |
34 minHighest 30% above CT |
| Work from home | 9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
18.3%±5.6 CT: 16% |
19.3%±5.5Highest CT: 16% |
| Ashford and Chester 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 | — | #8 of 149 in CT | #90 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Union School District | Chester School District | Ashford School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.