Compare towns

Windsor Locks vs Sandy Hook vs Thomaston

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Windsor Locks has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Sandy Hook has the most expensive homes ($501k median).

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.

MeasureWindsor LocksSandy HookThomaston
People
Population
12,579Highest
9,863
7,492Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.9%
CT: +0.9%
— —
Median age
41.4±2.6Lowest
about the CT average
43.1±3Highest
5% above CT
41.5±7.7
about the CT average
Sandy Hook and Thomaston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.6%±3.4Lowest
CT: 20.2%
22.6%±4.1Highest
CT: 20.2%
20.5%±5.2
CT: 20.2%
Sandy Hook and Thomaston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.2%±2.7
CT: 18.5%
14.4%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
18.6%±3.6Highest
CT: 18.5%
Thomaston and Windsor Locks are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.6%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
60.9%Highest
CT: 42.5%
34%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.9%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
6.2%±2.1Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.5%±2.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Sandy Hook 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
$81,205±$13kLowest
15% below CT
$160,814±$25kHighest
68% above CT
$103,218±$15k
8% above CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$258,800±$14kLowest
29% below CT
$501,200±$33kHighest
37% above CT
$282,600±$23k
23% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,394±$187
6% below CT
$1,866±$439Highest
25% above CT
$1,037±$147Lowest
30% below CT
Sandy Hook and Windsor Locks are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,688Lowest
44% below CT
$10,000+Highest
at least 51% above CT
$5,915
11% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
58.2%±16.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
52.4%±26.6Lowest
CT: 52.6%
57.9%±22
CT: 52.6%
Windsor Locks and Thomaston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.9%Highest
CT: 10%
5.6%
CT: 10%
2.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
77.1%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
92.9%Highest
CT: 66.5%
77.7%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1979Highest
12 yrs newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
17% below CT
35 minHighest
33% above CT
27 min
about the CT average
Work from home
17.7%±3.7
CT: 16%
23.1%±4.4Highest
CT: 16%
7.6%±3.7Lowest
CT: 16%
Sandy Hook and Windsor Locks 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 #109 of 149 in CT — #106 of 149 in CT
School district — — Thomaston School District
High school in town — — Thomaston High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
10.7
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.