Compare towns

Dummerston vs Sheldon vs Bakersfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dummerston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.1%).
Sheldon has the youngest population (median age 40.9).
Bakersfield has the oldest population (median age 46.4).

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.

MeasureDummerstonSheldonBakersfield
People
Population
2,090
2,267Highest
1,109Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%
VT: +2.8%
-3.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.6±11.7
6% above VT
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% below VT
46.4±8Highest
8% above VT
Bakersfield and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.7%±6
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
13.6%±3.5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Sheldon and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.3%±3Highest
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
21.2%±3.9
VT: 21.4%
Dummerston and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
58.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
39.2%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.3%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
2%±1.3
VT: 7%
7.5%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
Bakersfield and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$101,696±$21kHighest
25% above VT
$78,533±$25kLowest
3% below VT
$83,462±$18k
about the VT average
Dummerston and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$335,300±$22kHighest
6% above VT
$272,400±$61k
14% below VT
$271,300±$19kLowest
14% below VT
Dummerston and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,392±$126Highest
13% above VT
$1,286±$379
4% above VT
$1,200±$327Lowest
about the VT average
Dummerston and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,536Highest
10% below VT
$3,578Lowest
29% below VT
$3,823
24% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.1%±32.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
18.8%±100
VT: 48.4%
Dummerston and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
5.1%
VT: 10.1%
7.3%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.9%
VT: 73.2%
89%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
94%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
11% below VT
25 min
7% above VT
33 minHighest
40% above VT
Work from home
25.9%±10.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.2%±7
VT: 16.9%
Dummerston and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 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.