Town · Connecticut
Preston, Connecticut
Preston, town, in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut. Preston had 4,873 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 4,788 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 4,821 (±19). GEOID 0918062150.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,873
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,788 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,821 ±19
Median household income
$116,648
±$26,909 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $95,781
Median home value
$361,900
±$13,165 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $366,900
Median gross rent
$1,433
±$1,086 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $1,488
Where is Preston and what county is it in?
Preston is a town in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut. It covers 30.8 square miles of land, 155 residents per square mile in 2020.
Part of Mashantucket (CDP) also lies in it.
Preston is in the Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Preston is the same area as Census Tract 7001 of Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region: the tract's figures are Preston's own.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Preston, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 4,873 people lived in Preston on July 1, 2025, up 1.5% since 2020, slower than Connecticut (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 4,788 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 4,821 (±19).
| Measure | Preston | Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,821±19 | 279,971 | – |
| Households | 1,947±168 | 115,768 | – |
| Average household size | 2.47±0.22 | 2.32 | – |
| Housing units | 2,045±189 | 126,425 | – |
Preston's population since 2000
From 4,688 in 2000 to 4,873 in 2025: up 3.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Preston as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Preston?
The median resident of Preston is 46.2 years old; 18.7% are under 18 and 23.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.9%. 3.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Preston | Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.2±7.0 | 41.1 | – |
| Under 18 years | 18.7%±5.5 pts | 19.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.0%±5.7 pts | 19.5% | – |
| Male | 48.4%±3.3 pts | 50.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.9%±2.7 pts | 15.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.2%±3.8 pts | 70.6% | – |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.7 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±1.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.7%±1.8 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.7%±1.9 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.0%±2.0 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.2%±3.4 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 13.5%±4.4 pts | 14.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.3%±1.3 pts | 4.7% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.9%±2.0 pts | 92.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.5%±6.5 pts | 35.8% | – |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.7%±3.8 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.2%±5.7 pts | 88.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Preston earn?
Half of Preston's 1,947 households earn less than $116,648 a year (±$26,909), against $86,586 in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region and $95,781 in Connecticut. 2.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Preston | Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $116,648±$26,909 | $86,586 | – |
| Mean household income | $119,563±$10,586 | $111,769 | – |
| Per capita income | $48,646±$4,379 | $47,133 | – |
| People below the poverty line | 2.4%±1.3 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 1.7%±2.7 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.3%±2.9 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.4%±1.7 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.8%±4.2 pts | 91.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Preston?
Owners occupy 91.7% of Preston's occupied homes and renters 8.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $361,900 by its owner (±$13,165).
| Measure | Preston | Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $361,900±$13,165 | $323,400 | – |
| Median gross rent | $1,433±$1,086 | $1,365 | – |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 52.6%±31.7 pts | 40.7% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,089±$184 | $2,140 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 91.7%±3.9 pts | 65.1% | – |
| Renter-occupied homes | 8.3%±3.9 pts | 34.9% | – |
| Housing units | 2,045±189 | 126,425 | – |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.7%±4.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±22.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 93.6%±2.9 pts | 61.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.8%±4.7 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.9%±4.1 pts | 23.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.9%±1.1 pts | 7.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Preston building?
Builders took permits for 14 new housing units in Preston in 2025 (14 in single-family houses), 2.9 per 1,000 residents against 2.0 across Connecticut.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Preston work and get to work?
85.6% of Preston's workers drive alone and 10.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.1 minutes.
| Measure | Preston | Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.8%±5.7 pts | 64.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±3.7 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 85.6%±5.3 pts | 75.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 2.9%±2.2 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.0%±1.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.3%±5.8 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.1 min±1.8 | 23.9 min | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Preston?
1 census tract lies mostly in Preston (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 7001Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 4,821 | $116,648 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Preston) · Census block assignment files
How does Preston compare with other places in Connecticut?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Preston is the 2,357th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 105th-most populous of 142 in Connecticut.
Preston ranks 121st of 294 places in Connecticut with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 105th | 142 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 112th | 167 |
| Residents per square mile | 270th | 303 |
| Median household income | 121st | 294 |
| Per capita income | 216th | 303 |
| Median home value | 163rd | 300 |
| Poverty rate | 192nd | 202 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 247th | 297 |
| Median age | 120th | 301 |
| Owner-occupied share | 37th | 300 |
| Work from home | 234th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 259th | 302 |
Preston's figures with every place in Connecticut (CSV)
Every place in Connecticut, sortable · Compare Preston with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Preston?
19 of the 57 figures for Preston on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Preston are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.