Compare towns
Barnard vs Madison vs Royalton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Barnard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).
Madison has the oldest population (median age 50.3).
Royalton has the most affordable homes ($263k 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 | Barnard | Madison | Royalton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,211Lowest |
2,680 |
2,752Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.4±6Lowest 9% above U.S. |
50.3±9.7Highest 29% above U.S. |
43.9±10.1 13% above U.S. |
| Madison and Royalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 26.9%±5.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
23.1%±6.7 U.S.: 22% |
14.4%±5.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Barnard and Madison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
23.1%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.1%±6.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Madison and Royalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 55.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.4%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.9%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
8%±4.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Royalton and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $97,581±$19kLowest 21% above U.S. |
$102,697±$11k 27% above U.S. |
$103,938±$24kHighest 29% above U.S. |
| Royalton and Madison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $402,600±$71kHighest 21% above U.S. |
$388,700±$36k 17% above U.S. |
$263,200±$73kLowest 21% below U.S. |
| Barnard and Madison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,372±$80 about the U.S. average |
$1,556±$256Highest 10% above U.S. |
$1,040±$391Lowest 26% below U.S. |
| Madison and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,038Highest 94% above U.S. |
$4,074Lowest 31% above U.S. |
$4,675 50% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 27%±19.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
69.2%±46Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
36.7%±16.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Madison and Royalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
13%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
63.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1965Lowest 15 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 8% above U.S. |
22 min 16% below U.S. |
20 minLowest 23% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 19.3%±10.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
8%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
17.8%±7.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Barnard and Royalton 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 | — | — | #48 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Madison School District | White River Unified School District #79 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | White River Valley High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 8.7 |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.