Compare towns

Washington vs Killingly vs Sterling

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).
Killingly has the most renters (28.4% rent).
Sterling has the most kids (22.8% under 18).

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.

MeasureWashingtonKillinglySterling
People
Population
3,676
17,867Highest
3,629Lowest
Median age
49.9±5.5Highest
21% above CT
39.5±3
4% below CT
39.4±5.9Lowest
4% below CT
Kids under 18
19%±4.7Lowest
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
22.8%±5.9Highest
CT: 20.2%
Sterling and Killingly 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%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
13%±3.8Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Washington and Killingly 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%
22.9%
CT: 42.5%
18%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.4%±3.3Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
3.7%±1.9Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Washington and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$101,549±$16k
6% above CT
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$102,695±$12kHighest
7% above CT
Sterling and Washington 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
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$283,400±$17kLowest
23% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,204±$264Highest
19% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
—
Washington and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,709Highest
29% below CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$4,551
31% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.1%±24Lowest
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
32%±18.1
CT: 52.6%
Killingly and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
8.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
81.1%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1988Highest
21 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
4% below CT
28 min
5% above CT
35 minHighest
34% above CT
Work from home
20.1%±9Highest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3Lowest
CT: 16%
11.6%±6.4
CT: 16%
Washington and Sterling 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 #136 of 149 in CT #119 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 12 Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Sterling School District
High school in town Shepaug Valley School Killingly High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.1Lowest
11.1Highest
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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.