Compare towns
West Haven vs Killingly vs Norwich vs Vernon
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
West Haven has the youngest population (median age 35.8).
Killingly has the most homeowners (71.6%).
Norwich has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
Vernon has the most people working from home (13.4%).
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 | West Haven | Killingly | Norwich | Vernon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 55,351Highest |
17,867Lowest |
39,973 |
30,577 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | 0%Highest CT: +0.9% |
— | -0.9%Lowest CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 35.8±1.5Lowest 13% below CT |
39.5±3Highest 4% below CT |
38.5±1.7 6% below CT |
39.4±2.5 4% below CT |
| Killingly and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.3%±1.9 CT: 20.2% |
19.8%±2.3 CT: 20.2% |
20.9%±1.8Highest CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±2Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Norwich and West Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 16%±1.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±2.4Highest CT: 18.5% |
16.9%±1.7 CT: 18.5% |
18.6%±1.7 CT: 18.5% |
| Killingly and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.5% CT: 42.5% |
22.9%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
23.1% CT: 42.5% |
38%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 13.6%±1.6Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±1.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.2 CT: 7.1% |
7.8%±1.2 CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $74,382±$5k 22% below CT |
$84,350±$8k 12% below CT |
$65,024±$5kLowest 32% below CT |
$85,356±$6kHighest 11% below CT |
| Vernon and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $291,700±$9kHighest 20% below CT |
$288,600±$15k 21% below CT |
$242,300±$11kLowest 34% below CT |
$275,500±$11k 25% below CT |
| West Haven and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,442±$43Highest 3% below CT |
$1,044±$141Lowest 30% below CT |
$1,253±$68 16% below CT |
$1,425±$77 4% below CT |
| West Haven and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,941Highest 4% above CT |
$3,922Lowest 41% below CT |
$4,703 29% below CT |
$5,804 13% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±5.8 CT: 52.6% |
42.8%±10.9 CT: 52.6% |
56.2%±7.2Highest CT: 52.6% |
39.3%±5.7Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Norwich and West Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 14.1% CT: 10% |
11.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
16.7%Highest CT: 10% |
13.4% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 50.6%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
71.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
53.8% CT: 66.5% |
53.2% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1959 8 yrs older than CT |
1968Highest 1 yr newer than CT |
1957Lowest 10 yrs older than CT |
1968Highest 1 yr newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest 14% below CT |
28 minHighest 5% above CT |
24 min 9% below CT |
27 min about the CT average |
| Work from home | 9.2%±1.4 CT: 16% |
11.1%±2.3 CT: 16% |
7.2%±2Lowest CT: 16% |
13.4%±2.5Highest CT: 16% |
| Vernon and Killingly 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 | #120 of 149 in CT | #136 of 149 in CT | #133 of 149 in CT | #107 of 149 in CT |
| School district | New Haven School District · West Haven School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Norwich School District | Vernon School District |
| High school in town | West Haven High School | Killingly High School | Norwich Free Academy | Rockville High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 15.6Highest |
11.1Lowest |
14.8 |
12.1 |
| 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.