Compare towns
Washington vs Willimantic vs Chester
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).
Willimantic has the most affordable homes ($191k median).
Chester has the oldest population (median age 54).
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 | Washington | Willimantic | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,676Lowest |
18,096Highest |
3,825 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +2.3% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 49.9±5.5 21% above CT |
31.3±2.7Lowest 24% below CT |
54±3.4Highest 31% above CT |
| Chester and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19%±4.7 CT: 20.2% |
20.6%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
17.5%±4.9Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Willimantic and Washington 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% |
11%±1.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
26.8%±4 CT: 18.5% |
| Washington and Chester 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% |
24.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
47.9% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.4%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
19.1%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
4%±2.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $101,549±$16k 6% above CT |
$45,962±$7kLowest 52% below CT |
$109,191±$18kHighest 14% above CT |
| Chester 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 |
$190,900±$17kLowest 48% below CT |
$442,200±$25k 21% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,204±$264 19% below CT |
$1,063±$68Lowest 29% below CT |
$1,549±$247Highest 4% above CT |
| Chester 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 |
$4,678Lowest 30% below CT |
$6,364Highest 4% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.1%±24Lowest CT: 52.6% |
55.9%±8.1 CT: 52.6% |
57.4%±22.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Chester and Willimantic are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9%Lowest CT: 10% |
23.4%Highest CT: 10% |
11.8% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79%Highest CT: 66.5% |
34.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
73.2% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971Highest 4 yrs newer than CT |
1953Lowest 14 yrs older than CT |
1969 2 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 4% below CT |
23 minLowest 12% below CT |
28 minHighest 7% above CT |
| Work from home | 20.1%±9Highest CT: 16% |
6.2%±2Lowest CT: 16% |
18.3%±5.6 CT: 16% |
| Washington and Chester 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 | — | #8 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 12 | — | Chester School District |
| High school in town | Shepaug Valley School | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.1 |
— | — |
| 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.