Compare towns

Willington vs Killingly vs Ashford vs Ellington

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Willington has the most renters (36% rent).
Killingly has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Ashford has the most homeowners (76.8%).
Ellington has the most kids (24% 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.

MeasureWillingtonKillinglyAshfordEllington
People
Population
5,575
17,867Highest
4,226Lowest
16,455
Median age
37.5±7.2Lowest
9% below CT
39.5±3
4% below CT
37.9±10.3
8% below CT
40.9±2.4Highest
about the CT average
Ellington and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.8%±4.9Lowest
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
18.5%±5.5
CT: 20.2%
24%±3.2Highest
CT: 20.2%
Ellington and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.3%±6.4Highest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
18.9%±3.7
CT: 18.5%
18.8%±2.8Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Willington and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
33.2%
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
35.3%
CT: 42.5%
51.4%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
14.6%±6.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
4.4%±1.7Lowest
CT: 7.1%
6%±2.2
CT: 7.1%
Willington and Ellington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$91,114±$12k
5% below CT
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$121,926±$23k
27% above CT
$129,913±$17kHighest
36% above CT
Ellington and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$305,800±$48k
17% below CT
$288,600±$15kLowest
21% below CT
$334,800±$18k
9% below CT
$366,900±$17kHighest
about the CT average
Ellington and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,357±$116
9% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,246±$208
16% below CT
$1,737±$212Highest
17% above CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,419
18% below CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$6,982Highest
5% above CT
$6,751
about the CT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
70%±20.6Highest
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9Lowest
CT: 52.6%
47%±26
CT: 52.6%
45.5%±10.3
CT: 52.6%
Willington and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
13%Highest
CT: 10%
11.4%
CT: 10%
5.4%
CT: 10%
2.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
64%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
76.8%Highest
CT: 66.5%
72.2%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
about the CT average
28 min
5% above CT
34 minHighest
30% above CT
31 min
18% above CT
Work from home
10.5%±4.7Lowest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
19.3%±5.5Highest
CT: 16%
18.4%±3.9
CT: 16%
Ashford and Ellington 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 #104 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT #90 of 149 in CT #46 of 149 in CT
School district Willington School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Ashford School District Ellington School District
High school in town None in town Killingly High School None in town Ellington High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.1Highest
—
10.3Lowest
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.