Compare towns
Castleton vs Dover vs Sheldon vs Poultney
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Castleton has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Poultney has the youngest population (median age 34).
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 | Castleton | Dover | Sheldon | Poultney |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,453Highest |
1,466Lowest |
2,267 |
3,010 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.5% VT: +2.8% |
+60%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% VT: +2.8% |
-12%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 38.3±4.3 11% below VT |
53.5±8.3Highest 24% above VT |
40.9±3.5 5% below VT |
34±5.6Lowest 21% below VT |
| Kids under 18 | 18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
10.2%±5.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
17.8%±3.8 VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.7%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
29.5%±6.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.8%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
| Dover and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 37.9% VT: 43.8% |
48.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
35.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.5%±2.9 VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
9.3%±2.3 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$52,313±$7kLowest 36% below VT |
$78,533±$25kHighest 3% below VT |
$72,617±$6k 11% below VT |
| Sheldon and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $224,800±$71k 29% below VT |
$332,900±$55kHighest 5% above VT |
$272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
$206,200±$18kLowest 35% below VT |
| Dover and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$670±$49Lowest 46% below VT |
$1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
$913±$84 26% below VT |
| Sheldon and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$4,510Highest 10% below VT |
$3,578 29% below VT |
$3,520 30% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
38.1%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
43.3%±17.3 VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.3% VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79% VT: 73.2% |
81.1% VT: 73.2% |
89%Highest VT: 73.2% |
71.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 2 yrs older than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 19 minLowest 17% below VT |
22 min 6% below VT |
25 min 7% above VT |
29 minHighest 24% above VT |
| Work from home | 6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.2%±11.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
11.3%±4.4 VT: 16.9% |
| Dover 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 | #39 of 70 in VT | — | — | #41 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Quarry Valley Unified Union School District #70 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Poultney High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 10.5 |
| 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.