Compare towns

Braintree vs Reading vs Sutton vs Wheelock

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 oldest population (median age 58.4).
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Sutton has the youngest population (median age 46.6).
Wheelock has the most homeowners (97.9%).

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.

MeasureBraintreeReadingSuttonWheelock
People
Population
1,026Highest
699Lowest
790
717
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.1%
VT: +2.8%
+3.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-11.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
58.4±2.4Highest
35% above VT
51.1±7.6
19% above VT
46.6±5.7Lowest
8% above VT
51±5.6
18% above VT
Braintree and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.3%±3.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.5%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
17.3%±3.4
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wheelock and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.2%±3.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
28.2%±3.3
VT: 21.4%
21.6%±2.7Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7
VT: 21.4%
Braintree and Wheelock 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%
46%Highest
VT: 43.8%
32.8%
VT: 43.8%
34.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.8%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
3.1%±2.5Highest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.8
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3
VT: 7%
Reading and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$79,803±$5k
about the VT average
$85,000±$19kHighest
5% above VT
$71,250±$18k
12% below VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Reading and Braintree are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$217,700±$28k
31% below VT
$377,200±$72kHighest
19% above VT
$231,100±$41k
27% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$840±$405Lowest
32% below VT
$1,100±$331Highest
11% below VT
— —
Reading and Braintree 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
$5,754Highest
14% above VT
$3,975
21% below VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
43.4%±29.4
VT: 48.4%
63.3%±31.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
37.8%±31.1
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Reading and Braintree 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%
8.4%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
12.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
84.9%
VT: 73.2%
85%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1969Lowest
7 yrs older than VT
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
11% above VT
33 minHighest
41% above VT
30 min
26% above VT
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
19%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
22.9%±10.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
11.6%±5.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16
VT: 16.9%
Reading and Wheelock 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 Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 —
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 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.