Compare towns

Castleton vs Sheldon vs Montgomery

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).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Montgomery has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.4%).

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.

MeasureCastletonSheldonMontgomery
People
Population
4,453Highest
2,267
1,047Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-5.5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%
VT: +2.8%
-1.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
38.3±4.3Lowest
11% below VT
40.9±3.5
5% below VT
51.5±11.3Highest
19% above VT
Montgomery and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.8%±6.4
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.5%±4.4Lowest
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%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
33.9%±8.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.9%
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
52.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
19.3%±1.8Highest
VT: 7%
2%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±3.2
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,854±$23k
9% below VT
$78,533±$25kHighest
3% below VT
$53,289±$24kLowest
34% 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±$71kLowest
29% below VT
$272,400±$61k
14% below VT
$323,200±$45kHighest
about the VT average
Montgomery 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
$1,286±$379Highest
4% above VT
$868±$209Lowest
30% 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
$3,578
29% below VT
$4,326Highest
14% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
67.7%±21.9
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
76.6%±68Highest
VT: 48.4%
Montgomery and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.5%
VT: 10.1%
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
15.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
89%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974Lowest
2 yrs older than VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
19 minLowest
17% below VT
25 min
7% above VT
37 minHighest
58% above VT
Work from home
6.2%±3.9Lowest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
16%±5.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
Montgomery 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 — —
School district Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
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.