Compare towns
Union vs Derby 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%).
Derby has the most affordable homes ($257k median).
Ashford has the highest household income ($122k).
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 | Derby | Ashford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 944Lowest |
12,487Highest |
4,226 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
46.4±3.1 13% above CT |
37.9±10.3Lowest 8% below CT |
| Union and Derby 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% |
14.6%±2.9Lowest CT: 20.2% |
18.5%±5.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Ashford and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
21.1%±3.9 CT: 18.5% |
18.9%±3.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Union and Derby 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% |
35.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
35.3% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
5.9%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.4%±1.7Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Derby and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $88,958±$14k 7% below CT |
$79,500±$11kLowest 17% below CT |
$121,926±$23kHighest 27% above CT |
| Ashford and Union 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 |
$256,700±$21kLowest 30% below CT |
$334,800±$18kHighest 9% below CT |
| Ashford and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,452±$95Highest about the CT average |
$1,246±$208Lowest 16% below CT |
| Derby 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 |
$5,510 17% below CT |
$6,982Highest 5% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
53.9%±12.6 CT: 52.6% |
47%±26Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.7% CT: 10% |
10.8%Highest CT: 10% |
5.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
76.8% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1967Lowest same as CT |
1982Highest 15 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 20% above CT |
27 minLowest about the CT average |
34 minHighest 30% above CT |
| Work from home | 9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
15.1%±4.8 CT: 16% |
19.3%±5.5Highest CT: 16% |
| Ashford and Derby 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 | — | #138 of 149 in CT | #90 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Union School District | Derby School District | Ashford School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Derby High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.7 |
— |
| 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.