Compare towns

Windsor Locks vs Bolton vs Windsor Locks vs Thomaston

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bolton has the most expensive homes ($368k median).
Thomaston has the most kids (20.5% 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.

MeasureWindsor LocksBoltonWindsor LocksThomaston
People
Population
12,579Highest
4,853Lowest
12,579Highest
7,492
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
+0.9%
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
41.4±2.6Lowest
about the CT average
43.7±3.3Highest
6% above CT
41.4±2.6Lowest
about the CT average
41.5±7.7
about the CT average
Bolton 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%
20%±3.6
CT: 20.2%
18.6%±3.4Lowest
CT: 20.2%
20.5%±5.2Highest
CT: 20.2%
Thomaston and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.2%±2.7Lowest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±3.4Highest
CT: 18.5%
18.2%±2.7Lowest
CT: 18.5%
18.6%±3.6
CT: 18.5%
Bolton and Thomaston 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%
51.3%Highest
CT: 42.5%
28.6%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
34%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.9%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
7.7%±2.6Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
5.5%±2.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Bolton 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
$126,364±$19kHighest
32% above CT
$81,205±$13kLowest
15% below CT
$103,218±$15k
8% above CT
Bolton and Thomaston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$258,800±$14kLowest
29% below CT
$367,600±$17kHighest
about the CT average
$258,800±$14kLowest
29% below CT
$282,600±$23k
23% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,394±$187Highest
6% below CT
$1,127±$55
24% below CT
$1,394±$187Highest
6% below CT
$1,037±$147Lowest
30% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,688Lowest
44% below CT
$8,091Highest
22% above CT
$3,688Lowest
44% below CT
$5,915
11% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
58.2%±16.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
39.8%±30.8Lowest
CT: 52.6%
58.2%±16.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
57.9%±22
CT: 52.6%
Below poverty line
10.9%Highest
CT: 10%
7.2%
CT: 10%
10.9%Highest
CT: 10%
2.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
77.1%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
88%Highest
CT: 66.5%
77.1%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
77.7%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1969Highest
2 yrs newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
17% below CT
25 min
6% below CT
22 minLowest
17% below CT
27 minHighest
about the CT average
Work from home
17.7%±3.7
CT: 16%
20.7%±4.6Highest
CT: 16%
17.7%±3.7
CT: 16%
7.6%±3.7Lowest
CT: 16%
Bolton 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 #79 of 149 in CT #109 of 149 in CT #106 of 149 in CT
School district Windsor Locks School District Bolton School District — Thomaston School District
High school in town Windsor Locks High School Bolton High School — Thomaston High School
Students per teacherat that high school
8.9
7.4Lowest
—
10.7Highest
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.