Compare towns

Dover vs Sheffield vs Wheelock

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).
Sheffield has the youngest population (median age 42).
Wheelock has the most homeowners (97.9%).

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.

MeasureDoverSheffieldWheelock
People
Population
1,466Highest
573Lowest
717
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+60%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3%
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
53.5±8.3Highest
24% above VT
42±8Lowest
about the VT average
51±5.6
18% above VT
Dover and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
10.2%±5.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
17.1%±6.6
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wheelock and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
29.5%±6.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.2%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7
VT: 21.4%
Dover and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
27.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
34.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.5%±2.9Lowest
VT: 7%
5.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3
VT: 7%
Sheffield and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$52,313±$7kLowest
36% below VT
$58,333±$26k
28% below VT
$64,792±$20kHighest
20% below VT
Wheelock and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$332,900±$55kHighest
5% above VT
$171,900±$50kLowest
46% below VT
$189,600±$37k
40% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$670±$49Lowest
46% below VT
$967±$79Highest
22% below VT
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,510Highest
10% below VT
$2,123Lowest
58% below VT
$2,937
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
38.1%±17.2
VT: 48.4%
61.5%±41.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Sheffield and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.3%
VT: 10.1%
6.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
83.7%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984Lowest
8 yrs newer than VT
1987
11 yrs newer than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
6% below VT
30 minHighest
28% above VT
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
23.2%±11.1Highest
VT: 16.9%
6.1%±2.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16
VT: 16.9%
Dover and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district River Valleys Unified School District #73 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 —
High school 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.