Compare towns
Union vs Salem vs Scotland
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 oldest population (median age 49.9).
Salem has the most people working from home (18%).
Scotland has the most affordable homes ($294k median).
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 | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 944Lowest |
4,282Highest |
1,599 |
| Median age | 49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
40.9±5.4Lowest about the CT average |
44.7±5 9% above CT |
| Union and Scotland 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% |
23.2%±5.1Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.4%±3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Salem 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% |
19.7%±4.7 CT: 18.5% |
18.6%±2.6Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Union and Salem 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% |
33.8% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±3.3Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.8%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.8%±4Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $88,958±$14kLowest 7% below CT |
$123,245±$8kHighest 29% above CT |
$99,881±$12k 4% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $330,400±$26k 10% below CT |
$403,600±$33kHighest 10% above CT |
$294,100±$20kLowest 20% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,440±$150Highest 3% below CT |
$1,188±$468Lowest 20% below CT |
| Salem and Scotland 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 |
$6,668Highest about the CT average |
$6,175 7% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
32.1%±26 CT: 52.6% |
0%±75.7Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.7% CT: 10% |
6.2%Highest CT: 10% |
4.8%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
86.6%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
91.8% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Lowest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1982 15 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 20% above CT |
32 minLowest 19% above CT |
33 minHighest 24% above CT |
| Work from home | 9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
18%±9.6Highest CT: 16% |
11.5%±6.2 CT: 16% |
| Salem and Scotland 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 | Scotland 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.