Compare towns

Braintree vs Halifax vs Stockbridge

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Braintree has the most affordable homes ($218k median).
Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Stockbridge has the most expensive homes ($284k 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.

MeasureBraintreeHalifaxStockbridge
People
Population
1,026Highest
847
791Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+5.9%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.4%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
58.4±2.4Highest
35% above VT
40.6±13.1Lowest
6% below VT
55.3±5.3
28% above VT
Braintree and Stockbridge 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%
25.4%±5.3Highest
VT: 17.9%
9.9%±3.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Age 65+
33.2%±3.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.6%±7.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
27.9%±3.2
VT: 21.4%
Braintree and Stockbridge 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%
44.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
35%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.8%±1.3Highest
VT: 7%
1.2%±0.9
VT: 7%
1.1%±1.2Lowest
VT: 7%
Braintree and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$79,803±$5kHighest
about the VT average
$63,889±$7kLowest
21% below VT
$77,109±$12k
5% below VT
Braintree and Stockbridge 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
$267,500±$21k
16% below VT
$283,500±$26kHighest
10% below VT
Stockbridge and Halifax 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
$875±$154
29% below VT
$1,140±$126Highest
8% below VT
Stockbridge and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,908Lowest
22% below VT
$4,991Highest
about the VT average
$4,488
11% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
43.4%±29.4Lowest
VT: 48.4%
57.1%±73.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
53.3%±22
VT: 48.4%
Halifax and Stockbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.1%Highest
VT: 10.1%
6%
VT: 10.1%
3.9%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
86.6%Highest
VT: 73.2%
85%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979Highest
3 yrs newer than VT
1968Lowest
8 yrs older than VT
1977
1 yr newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
11% above VT
33 minHighest
38% above VT
27 min
17% above VT
Work from home
19%±7.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
29.9%±11.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
28.6%±12.2
VT: 16.9%
Halifax and Stockbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 Halifax School District Rochester Stockbridge Unified School District #81
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.