Compare towns

Barnard vs Strafford vs Cavendish

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Barnard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).
Strafford has the oldest population (median age 51.4).
Cavendish has the most affordable homes ($285k 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.

MeasureBarnardStraffordCavendish
People
Population
1,211Lowest
1,372Highest
1,242
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+1.8%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42.4±6Lowest
about the VT average
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
45.2±5.9
5% above VT
Strafford and Cavendish 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%
23%±5.2
VT: 17.9%
18.3%±4.8Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Barnard and Strafford 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%
22.1%±3.4
VT: 21.4%
23.6%±2Highest
VT: 21.4%
Cavendish and Strafford 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
VT: 43.8%
53.3%
VT: 43.8%
39.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.4%±1.8Lowest
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
4.3%±1.9
VT: 7%
Strafford and Cavendish 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
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
$89,063±$29kLowest
10% above VT
Strafford 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
$431,300±$40kHighest
36% above VT
$285,100±$40kLowest
10% below VT
Strafford and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,372±$80Highest
11% above VT
$1,125±$789
9% below VT
$1,000±$546Lowest
19% below VT
Barnard and Strafford 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
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
$3,948Lowest
22% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
27%±19.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48Highest
VT: 48.4%
28.9%±27
VT: 48.4%
Strafford and Cavendish 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%
5.2%
VT: 10.1%
6.3%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.4%
VT: 73.2%
88.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
81.3%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
5 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1968Lowest
8 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
21% above VT
23 min
about the VT average
19 minLowest
21% below VT
Work from home
19.3%±10.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
18.5%±6.6
VT: 16.9%
Barnard and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Strafford School District Green Mountain Unified School District #77
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
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.