Compare towns
Bakersfield vs Castleton vs Sheldon vs Waterford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Bakersfield has the oldest population (median age 46.4).
Castleton has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Waterford has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.9%).
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.
| Measure | Bakersfield | Castleton | Sheldon | Waterford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,109Lowest |
4,453Highest |
2,267 |
1,279 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.7% VT: +2.8% |
-5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% VT: +2.8% |
-0.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 46.4±8Highest 8% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
40.9±3.5 5% below VT |
45.4±5.3 5% above VT |
| Bakersfield and Waterford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 13.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.7%±2.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.2%±3.9 VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.4%±3.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Waterford and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.2% VT: 43.8% |
37.9% VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
41%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.5%±4.7 VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $83,462±$18k about the VT average |
$73,854±$23kLowest 9% below VT |
$78,533±$25k 3% below VT |
$109,375±$19kHighest 35% above VT |
| Waterford and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $271,300±$19k 14% below VT |
$224,800±$71kLowest 29% below VT |
$272,400±$61kHighest 14% below VT |
$271,500±$22k 14% below VT |
| Sheldon and Waterford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,200±$327 about the VT average |
$1,137±$195Lowest 8% below VT |
$1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
— |
| Sheldon and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,823 24% below VT |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$3,578 29% below VT |
$4,238Highest 16% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 18.8%±100 VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
— |
| Castleton and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.3% VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94% VT: 73.2% |
79%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89% VT: 73.2% |
99%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1974Lowest 2 yrs older than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 40% above VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
25 min 7% above VT |
24 min 4% above VT |
| Work from home | 14.2%±7 VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
15.3%±7.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Waterford and Bakersfield 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 | — | #39 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
VT 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.