Compare towns

Washington vs Chaplin vs Union

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Washington has the most expensive homes ($660k median).
Chaplin has the most affordable homes ($255k median).
Union has the most homeowners (92.9%).

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.

MeasureWashingtonChaplinUnion
People
Population
3,676Highest
2,070
944Lowest
Median age
49.9±5.5Highest
21% above CT
43.7±4.8Lowest
6% above CT
49.9±4.3Highest
21% above CT
Kids under 18
19%±4.7Highest
CT: 20.2%
15.7%±4.2Lowest
CT: 20.2%
16.9%±4.3
CT: 20.2%
Washington and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.9%±5.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
20.9%±4.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
24.5%±2.6
CT: 18.5%
Washington and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53.7%Highest
CT: 42.5%
25.4%
CT: 42.5%
24%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.4%±3.3
CT: 7.1%
10.1%±6.2Highest
CT: 7.1%
5%±3.3Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Chaplin and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$101,549±$16kHighest
6% above CT
$97,846±$14k
about the CT average
$88,958±$14kLowest
7% below CT
Washington and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$660,200±$130kHighest
80% above CT
$255,200±$24kLowest
30% below CT
$330,400±$26k
10% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,204±$264Lowest
19% below CT
$1,473±$275Highest
about the CT average
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Chaplin and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,709
29% below CT
$4,524Lowest
32% below CT
$4,793Highest
28% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.1%±24Lowest
CT: 52.6%
33.6%±27.7
CT: 52.6%
90%±64.7Highest
CT: 52.6%
Union and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9%Highest
CT: 10%
5.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
5.7%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
82.9%
CT: 66.5%
92.9%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
4 yrs newer than CT
1979Highest
12 yrs newer than CT
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
4% below CT
32 minHighest
22% above CT
32 min
20% above CT
Work from home
20.1%±9Highest
CT: 16%
18.1%±10
CT: 16%
9%±3.7Lowest
CT: 16%
Washington and Chaplin 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 — —
School district Regional School District 12 Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 Union School District
High school in town Shepaug Valley School Parish Hill High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.1Highest
7.5Lowest
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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.