Compare towns
Union vs Washington vs Hampton 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%).
Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k median).
Hampton has the most affordable homes ($296k 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 | Washington | Hampton | Ashford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 944Lowest |
3,676 |
1,647 |
4,226Highest |
| Median age | 49.9±4.3 21% above CT |
49.9±5.5 21% above CT |
51.5±5.3Highest 25% above CT |
37.9±10.3Lowest 8% below CT |
| Hampton 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% |
19%±4.7 CT: 20.2% |
19.7%±5.3Highest CT: 20.2% |
18.5%±5.5 CT: 20.2% |
| Hampton and Washington 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% |
26.9%±5.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
26.1%±2.1 CT: 18.5% |
18.9%±3.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Washington and Hampton 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% |
53.7%Highest CT: 42.5% |
29.9% CT: 42.5% |
35.3% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
6.4%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
4.4%±1.7 CT: 7.1% |
| Washington 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±$14kLowest 7% below CT |
$101,549±$16k 6% above CT |
$109,167±$19k 14% above CT |
$121,926±$23kHighest 27% above CT |
| Ashford and Hampton 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 |
$660,200±$130kHighest 80% above CT |
$295,800±$27kLowest 19% below CT |
$334,800±$18k 9% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,204±$264Lowest 19% below CT |
$1,285±$288Highest 14% below CT |
$1,246±$208 16% below CT |
| Hampton and Ashford 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 |
$4,709 29% below CT |
$4,364Lowest 34% below CT |
$6,982Highest 5% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
26.1%±24Lowest CT: 52.6% |
52.5%±51.5 CT: 52.6% |
47%±26 CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.7% CT: 10% |
9%Highest CT: 10% |
5.7% CT: 10% |
5.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
79% CT: 66.5% |
90% CT: 66.5% |
76.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1971Lowest 4 yrs newer than CT |
1980 13 yrs newer than CT |
1982Highest 15 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 20% above CT |
26 minLowest 4% below CT |
29 min 9% above CT |
34 minHighest 30% above CT |
| Work from home | 9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
20.1%±9Highest CT: 16% |
17.7%±5.1 CT: 16% |
19.3%±5.5 CT: 16% |
| Washington and Ashford 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 | — | #17 of 149 in CT | — | #90 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Union School District | Regional School District 12 | Hampton School District | Ashford School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Shepaug Valley School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.1 |
— | — |
| 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.