Compare towns
Danby vs Plainfield vs Sheldon vs Wardsboro
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Plainfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Wardsboro has the most homeowners (90.4%).
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.
| Measure | Danby | Plainfield | Sheldon | Wardsboro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,133 |
1,314 |
2,267Highest |
820Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1% VT: +2.8% |
-0.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
48.1±5.5 12% above VT |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
51.6±7.3 20% above VT |
| Danby and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±3.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
16.3%±4.7 VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±2.6 VT: 21.4% |
21.1%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
27.4%±3.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Wardsboro and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.8% VT: 43.8% |
48.2%Highest VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
38.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9Highest VT: 7% |
2.1%±1.3 VT: 7% |
2%±1.3 VT: 7% |
0.9%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
| Danby and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $77,321±$13k 5% below VT |
$69,250±$31k 15% below VT |
$78,533±$25kHighest 3% below VT |
$62,000±$6kLowest 24% below VT |
| Sheldon and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $272,400±$41kLowest 14% below VT |
$318,400±$34kHighest about the VT average |
$272,400±$61kLowest 14% below VT |
$299,300±$47k 5% below VT |
| Plainfield and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166Lowest 36% below VT |
$1,153±$103 7% below VT |
$1,286±$379 4% above VT |
$1,479±$224Highest 20% above VT |
| Wardsboro and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,543 10% below VT |
$4,806Highest 5% below VT |
$3,578Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,345 14% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6 VT: 48.4% |
73.2%±53.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
54.5%±58 VT: 48.4% |
| Plainfield and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.4% VT: 10.1% |
11.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7.7% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89% VT: 73.2% |
90.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 26% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
25 min 7% above VT |
27 min 14% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±4.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
13.3%±5.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Plainfield and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | — | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 |
| 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.