Compare towns

Windsor Locks vs Durham 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 most affordable homes ($259k median).
Durham has the highest household income ($152k).
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 LocksDurhamThomaston
People
Population
12,579Highest
3,347Lowest
7,492
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+28.6%
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
41.4±2.6Lowest
about the CT average
47.9±5.4Highest
17% above CT
41.5±7.7
about the CT average
Durham and Thomaston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.6%±3.4
CT: 20.2%
15%±4.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
20.5%±5.2Highest
CT: 20.2%
Thomaston and Windsor Locks 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%
19.1%±4.5Highest
CT: 18.5%
18.6%±3.6
CT: 18.5%
Durham 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%
42.4%Highest
CT: 42.5%
34%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.9%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.2%±2.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.5%±2.1
CT: 7.1%
Windsor Locks and Thomaston 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
$152,396±$32kHighest
59% above CT
$103,218±$15k
8% above CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$258,800±$14kLowest
29% below CT
$401,700±$32kHighest
9% above CT
$282,600±$23k
23% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,394±$187
6% below CT
$1,625±$1kHighest
9% above CT
$1,037±$147Lowest
30% below CT
Durham 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
$7,107Highest
7% above CT
$5,915
11% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
58.2%±16.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
57.7%±35Lowest
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%
6.1%
CT: 10%
2.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
77.1%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
90%Highest
CT: 66.5%
77.7%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1975Highest
8 yrs newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
17% below CT
24 min
10% below CT
27 minHighest
about the CT average
Work from home
17.7%±3.7
CT: 16%
20%±6.7Highest
CT: 16%
7.6%±3.7Lowest
CT: 16%
Durham 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 #88 of 149 in CT #106 of 149 in CT
School district Windsor Locks School District — Thomaston School District
High school in town Windsor Locks High School — Thomaston High School
Students per teacherat that high school
8.9Lowest
—
10.7Highest
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.