Compare towns

Bakersfield vs Mendon vs Groton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Mendon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.5%).
Groton has the most affordable homes ($243k 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.

MeasureBakersfieldMendonGroton
People
Population
1,109
1,113Highest
967Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+8.5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
46.4±8
8% above VT
53.4±10.5Highest
24% above VT
45.7±5.8Lowest
6% above VT
Mendon and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.6%±3.5
VT: 17.9%
14.6%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
13.3%±2.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Mendon and Bakersfield 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%
29%±1.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
20.5%±3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
39.2%
VT: 43.8%
49.4%Highest
VT: 43.8%
38.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
3.1%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
7.5%±5.7Highest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$83,462±$18k
about the VT average
$100,524±$23kHighest
24% above VT
$77,250±$14kLowest
5% below VT
Mendon 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
$357,000±$44kHighest
13% above VT
$243,000±$70kLowest
23% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,200±$327
about the VT average
$1,230±$651Highest
about the VT average
$288±$151Lowest
77% below VT
Mendon 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
$5,342Highest
6% above VT
$3,659Lowest
27% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
18.8%±100
VT: 48.4%
88.6%±42.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
12.5%±72.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Mendon 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%
8.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
6.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94%
VT: 73.2%
92.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
94.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1977Lowest
1 yr newer than VT
1981
5 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minHighest
40% above VT
17 minLowest
28% below VT
30 min
29% above VT
Work from home
14.2%±7
VT: 16.9%
22.5%±8.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
12.3%±7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Mendon and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 — —
High school in town None in town — —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.