Compare towns

Washington vs Willington vs New Preston

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).
Willington has the most affordable homes ($306k median).
New Preston has the most people working from home (32.3%).

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.

MeasureWashingtonWillingtonNew Preston
People
Population
3,676
5,575Highest
1,146Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
-4.7%
CT: +0.9%
Median age
49.9±5.5
21% above CT
37.5±7.2Lowest
9% below CT
51.8±12.8Highest
26% above CT
New Preston and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19%±4.7Highest
CT: 20.2%
12.8%±4.9Lowest
CT: 20.2%
16.9%±7
CT: 20.2%
Washington and New Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.9%±5.3
CT: 18.5%
23.3%±6.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
31.3%±5.5Highest
CT: 18.5%
New Preston and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53.7%
CT: 42.5%
33.2%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
57.8%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.4%±3.3
CT: 7.1%
14.6%±6.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.8%±4.7Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Willington 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
$91,114±$12k
5% below CT
$76,406±$28kLowest
20% below CT
Washington and Willington 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
$305,800±$48kLowest
17% below CT
$452,600±$43k
23% above CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,204±$264Lowest
19% below CT
$1,357±$116Highest
9% below CT
—
Willington 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
$5,419Highest
18% below CT
$3,528Lowest
47% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.1%±24
CT: 52.6%
70%±20.6Highest
CT: 52.6%
7.4%±89.8Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Willington and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9%Lowest
CT: 10%
13%
CT: 10%
15.8%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%
CT: 66.5%
64%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
85.1%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
4 yrs newer than CT
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
4% below CT
26 min
about the CT average
29 minHighest
8% above CT
Work from home
20.1%±9
CT: 16%
10.5%±4.7Lowest
CT: 16%
32.3%±28Highest
CT: 16%
New Preston and Washington 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 #104 of 149 in CT —
School district Regional School District 12 Willington 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.