Compare towns

Barnard vs Stowe vs Royalton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Barnard has the most kids (26.9% under 18).
Stowe has grown the fastest since 2010 (+21.1%).
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.

MeasureBarnardStoweRoyalton
People
Population
1,211Lowest
5,285Highest
2,752
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.8%
VT: +2.8%
+21.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42.4±6Lowest
about the VT average
46.3±7.6Highest
7% above VT
43.9±10.1
about the VT average
Stowe 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
VT: 17.9%
22.5%±4.6
VT: 17.9%
14.4%±5.8Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Barnard and Stowe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22%±3.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
25.8%±6.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.1%±6.4
VT: 21.4%
Stowe 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%
VT: 43.8%
66.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
42.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.4%±1.8
VT: 7%
1.6%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
8%±4.2Highest
VT: 7%
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±$19k
20% above VT
$93,618±$33kLowest
15% above VT
$103,938±$24kHighest
28% above VT
Royalton and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$402,600±$71k
27% above VT
$647,800±$157kHighest
105% above VT
$263,200±$73kLowest
17% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,372±$80
11% above VT
$1,458±$242Highest
18% above VT
$1,040±$391Lowest
16% below VT
Stowe and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,038
20% above VT
$7,161Highest
42% above VT
$4,675Lowest
7% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
27%±19.8
VT: 48.4%
24.5%±15.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
36.7%±16.1Highest
VT: 48.4%
Royalton and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
9.9%
VT: 10.1%
13%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
78.6%
VT: 73.2%
63.5%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
5 yrs older than VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1965Lowest
11 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
21% above VT
19 minLowest
18% below VT
20 min
13% below VT
Work from home
19.3%±10.8
VT: 16.9%
24.4%±8.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
17.8%±7.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Stowe and Barnard 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 Stowe Town School District White River Unified School District #79
High school in town None in town Stowe High School White River Valley High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.3Highest
8.7Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.