Compare towns

Barnet vs Fair Haven vs Sheldon

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Barnet has the oldest population (median age 47.7).
Fair Haven has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.1%).
Sheldon has the highest household income ($79k).

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.

MeasureBarnetFair HavenSheldon
People
Population
1,855Lowest
2,724Highest
2,267
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.6%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+0.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.7±5.3Highest
11% above VT
39.2±7.6Lowest
9% below VT
40.9±3.5
5% below VT
Barnet and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.6%±4.9
VT: 17.9%
19.4%±5.1Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Sheldon and Barnet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.8%±3.8Highest
VT: 21.4%
18.4%±4.5
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.6%Highest
VT: 43.8%
23.7%
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1%±0.9Lowest
VT: 7%
4.1%±2.9Highest
VT: 7%
2%±1.3
VT: 7%
Fair Haven and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$67,386±$15k
17% below VT
$62,404±$16kLowest
23% below VT
$78,533±$25kHighest
3% below VT
Sheldon and Barnet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$247,900±$24k
22% below VT
$176,500±$14kLowest
44% below VT
$272,400±$61kHighest
14% below VT
Sheldon and Barnet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$974±$72
21% below VT
$830±$116Lowest
33% below VT
$1,286±$379Highest
4% above VT
Sheldon and Barnet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,489Highest
11% below VT
$3,865
23% below VT
$3,578Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
59.3%±29.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
50.9%±20.9
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Barnet and Fair Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.2%
VT: 10.1%
18.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
80.6%
VT: 73.2%
89%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
2 yrs older than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
17% above VT
31 minHighest
31% above VT
25 minLowest
7% above VT
Work from home
13.3%±4.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
4.3%±2.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
Barnet and Sheldon 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 — #66 of 70 in VT —
School district Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78 Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
High school in town None in town Fair Haven Union Middle and High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.8
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 12 photos → 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.