Compare towns

Charleston vs Orange vs Morgan

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Charleston has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.2%).
Orange has the most affordable homes ($222k median).
Morgan has the most kids (21.5% under 18).

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.

MeasureCharlestonOrangeMorgan
People
Population
936
957Highest
827Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.2%
VT: +2.8%
-14.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
58.4±9.3Highest
35% above VT
50.3±5.3
17% above VT
40.9±6.4Lowest
5% below VT
Charleston and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.2%±4.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
15.6%±4.7
VT: 17.9%
21.5%±4.7Highest
VT: 17.9%
Morgan and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
37.7%±8.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.4%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
27.7%±6.6
VT: 21.4%
Charleston and Morgan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
13.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
22.1%
VT: 43.8%
34%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.7%±2.3Highest
VT: 7%
2.4%±1.9
VT: 7%
1.3%±1Lowest
VT: 7%
Charleston and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$49,286±$17kLowest
39% below VT
$71,302±$13k
12% below VT
$91,250±$25kHighest
12% above VT
Morgan and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$238,000±$53k
25% below VT
$222,000±$22kLowest
30% below VT
$311,300±$66kHighest
about the VT average
Morgan and Charleston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$979±$444Lowest
21% below VT
$1,330±$153Highest
8% above VT
$1,112±$64
10% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,750Highest
26% below VT
$3,545
30% below VT
$3,426Lowest
32% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
32.7%±26.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±87Lowest
VT: 48.4%
0%±40.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Charleston and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.3%Highest
VT: 10.1%
7.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
10%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.1%
VT: 73.2%
87.8%Highest
VT: 73.2%
84.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
12% above VT
28 minHighest
19% above VT
27 min
15% above VT
Work from home
18.7%±7.1
VT: 16.9%
13.5%±4.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
22.4%±6.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
Morgan and Charleston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Charleston School District Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.