Compare towns
Union vs Salem vs Eastford
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%).
Salem has the most kids (23.2% under 18).
Eastford has the most renters (16% rent).
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 | Salem | Eastford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 944Lowest |
4,282Highest |
1,679 |
| Median age | 49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
40.9±5.4Lowest about the CT average |
48.3±5.9 18% above CT |
| Union and Eastford 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% |
23.2%±5.1Highest CT: 20.2% |
17.1%±2.9 CT: 20.2% |
| Salem and Eastford 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% |
19.7%±4.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
25.5%±3.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Eastford 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% |
50.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
39.4% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±3.3Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.8%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±3.7 CT: 7.1% |
| Salem and Eastford 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 |
$123,245±$8kHighest 29% above CT |
$97,422±$20k about the CT average |
| Salem and Eastford 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 |
$403,600±$33kHighest 10% above CT |
$355,500±$16k 3% below CT |
| Salem and Eastford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,440±$150Highest 3% below CT |
$1,097±$173Lowest 26% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,793 28% below CT |
$6,668Highest about the CT average |
$4,493Lowest 32% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
32.1%±26Lowest CT: 52.6% |
42.9%±32.6 CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Eastford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
6.2%Highest CT: 10% |
6.2%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
86.6% CT: 66.5% |
84%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Lowest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1981 14 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 20% above CT |
32 minLowest 19% above CT |
35 minHighest 33% above CT |
| Work from home | 9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
18%±9.6Highest CT: 16% |
14.6%±6.4 CT: 16% |
| Salem and Eastford 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 | — | #11 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | Union School District | Salem School District | Eastford 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.