Compare towns

Castleton vs Mansfield vs Putnam

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Castleton has the youngest population (median age 38.3).
Mansfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.3%).
Putnam has the most expensive homes ($266k 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.

MeasureCastletonMansfieldPutnam
People
Population
4,453Highest
691
540Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-5.5%
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-6.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
38.3±4.3Lowest
about the U.S. average
54±5.5Highest
39% above U.S.
53.6±6.4
38% above U.S.
Mansfield and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.8%±6.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.1%±4.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
17.4%±5.2
U.S.: 22%
Castleton and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.7%±4.6
U.S.: 17.2%
19.5%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
35.6%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
22.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
31.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
19.3%±1.8Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.2%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,854±$23kLowest
9% below U.S.
$83,304±$14k
3% above U.S.
$92,344±$14kHighest
14% above U.S.
Putnam and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$224,800±$71k
32% below U.S.
$200,000±$29kLowest
40% below U.S.
$266,200±$48kHighest
20% below U.S.
Putnam and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,137±$195
20% below U.S.
— —
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,167Lowest
about the U.S. average
$4,122Highest
32% above U.S.
$3,674
18% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
67.7%±21.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Castleton and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.2%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
95.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
6 yrs older than U.S.
1981Highest
1 yr newer than U.S.
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
19 minLowest
27% below U.S.
26 minHighest
3% below U.S.
21 min
19% below U.S.
Work from home
6.2%±3.9Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.1%±12.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
8.6%±5.7
U.S.: 15.1%
Mansfield and Putnam 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 Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 — PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
High school in town None in town — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.