Compare towns

Washington vs Windsor Locks vs Killingly 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).
Windsor Locks has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Killingly has the most renters (28.4% rent).
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.

MeasureWashingtonWindsor LocksKillinglyNew Preston
People
Population
3,676
12,579
17,867Highest
1,146Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — — —
-4.7%
CT: +0.9%
Median age
49.9±5.5
21% above CT
41.4±2.6
about the CT average
39.5±3Lowest
4% 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%±4.7
CT: 20.2%
18.6%±3.4
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
16.9%±7Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Killingly and Washington 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%
18.2%±2.7Lowest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4
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%
28.6%
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
57.8%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.4%±3.3Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.8%±4.7
CT: 7.1%
Washington and Windsor Locks 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
$81,205±$13k
15% below CT
$84,350±$8k
12% below CT
$76,406±$28kLowest
20% below CT
Washington and Killingly 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
$258,800±$14kLowest
29% below CT
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$452,600±$43k
23% above CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,204±$264
19% below CT
$1,394±$187Highest
6% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
—
Windsor Locks and Washington 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
$3,688
44% below CT
$3,922
41% below CT
$3,528Lowest
47% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.1%±24
CT: 52.6%
58.2%±16.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
7.4%±89.8Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Windsor Locks and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9%Lowest
CT: 10%
10.9%
CT: 10%
11.4%
CT: 10%
15.8%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%
CT: 66.5%
77.1%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
85.1%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Highest
4 yrs newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1968
1 yr newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 min
4% below CT
22 minLowest
17% below CT
28 min
5% above CT
29 minHighest
8% above CT
Work from home
20.1%±9
CT: 16%
17.7%±3.7
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3Lowest
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 #109 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT —
School district Regional School District 12 Windsor Locks School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS —
High school in town Shepaug Valley School Windsor Locks High School Killingly High School —
Students per teacherat that high school
9.1
8.9Lowest
11.1Highest
—
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.