Compare towns
Braintree vs Castleton vs Newfane vs Wardsboro
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Braintree has grown the fastest since 2010 (-3.1%).
Castleton has the youngest population (median age 38.3).
Newfane has the most people working from home (30.8%).
Wardsboro has the most expensive homes ($299k 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 | Braintree | Castleton | Newfane | Wardsboro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,026 |
4,453Highest |
1,456 |
820Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-4.7% VT: +2.8% |
-3.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 58.4±2.4Highest 35% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
54.4±3.9 26% above VT |
51.6±7.3 20% above VT |
| Braintree and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 12.3%±3.2 VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.1%±3.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Age 65+ | 33.2%±3.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.2%±3.9 VT: 21.4% |
27.4%±3.1 VT: 21.4% |
| Braintree and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
37.9% VT: 43.8% |
46.5%Highest VT: 43.8% |
38.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.8%±1.3 VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.4%±2.1 VT: 7% |
0.9%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $79,803±$5kHighest about the VT average |
$73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$66,719±$21k 18% below VT |
$62,000±$6kLowest 24% below VT |
| Braintree and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $217,700±$28kLowest 31% below VT |
$224,800±$71k 29% below VT |
$284,200±$49k 10% below VT |
$299,300±$47kHighest 5% below VT |
| Wardsboro and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $840±$405Lowest 32% below VT |
$1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$1,266±$238 about the VT average |
$1,479±$224Highest 20% above VT |
| Wardsboro and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,908 22% below VT |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$5,174Highest about the VT average |
$4,345 14% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 43.4%±29.4Lowest VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
51.9%±79.7 VT: 48.4% |
54.5%±58 VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 11.1% VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
10.9% VT: 10.1% |
7.7%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81% VT: 73.2% |
79%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.2% VT: 73.2% |
90.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1974 2 yrs older than VT |
1971Lowest 5 yrs older than VT |
1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 11% above VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
27 min 13% above VT |
27 minHighest 14% above VT |
| Work from home | 19%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
30.8%±12.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
13.3%±5.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Newfane and Braintree 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 | — | #39 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | West River Valley Union Education District #72A | River Valleys Unified School District #73 |
| High school in town | None 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.