Compare towns
Bakersfield vs Middlesex vs Sheldon vs Groton
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).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
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.
| Measure | Bakersfield | Middlesex | Sheldon | Groton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,109 |
1,943 |
2,267Highest |
967Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% VT: +2.8% |
-3.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 46.4±8Highest 8% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
45.7±5.8 6% above VT |
| Bakersfield and Groton 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% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
13.3%±2.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.2%±3.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.5%±3 VT: 21.4% |
| Bakersfield and Middlesex 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% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
38.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.5%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
7.5%±5.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $83,462±$18k about the VT average |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$78,533±$25k 3% below VT |
$77,250±$14kLowest 5% below VT |
| Middlesex 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 |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
$243,000±$70kLowest 23% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,200±$327 about the VT average |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,286±$379 4% above VT |
$288±$151Lowest 77% below VT |
| Middlesex and Sheldon 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 |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$3,578Lowest 29% below VT |
$3,659 27% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 18.8%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
12.5%±72.9 VT: 48.4% |
| Bakersfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.1% VT: 10.1% |
6.8% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
89%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
94.4% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
1981Lowest 5 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 40% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
25 minLowest 7% above VT |
30 min 29% above VT |
| Work from home | 14.2%±7 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
12.3%±7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex 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 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | — |
| High school 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.