Compare towns

Fair Haven vs Putney vs Sutton vs Franklin

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Fair Haven has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.1%).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Sutton has the oldest population (median age 46.6).
Franklin has the most kids (23.5% 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.

MeasureFair HavenPutneySuttonFranklin
People
Population
2,724Highest
2,622
790Lowest
1,590
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.1%
VT: +2.8%
-11.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-3%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
39.2±7.6
9% below VT
37.2±5.2Lowest
14% below VT
46.6±5.7Highest
8% above VT
38.8±6.9
10% below VT
Sutton and Fair Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.4%±5.1
VT: 17.9%
15.4%±4.1Lowest
VT: 17.9%
17.3%±3.4
VT: 17.9%
23.5%±5.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Franklin and Fair Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.4%±4.5
VT: 21.4%
18.1%±3.8
VT: 21.4%
21.6%±2.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
15.3%±1.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Sutton and Fair Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
23.7%
VT: 43.8%
48.6%Highest
VT: 43.8%
32.8%
VT: 43.8%
21.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.1%±2.9
VT: 7%
20.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.8Lowest
VT: 7%
7.5%±3.1
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$62,404±$16kLowest
23% below VT
$79,706±$18k
about the VT average
$71,250±$18k
12% below VT
$79,917±$21kHighest
about the VT average
Franklin and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$176,500±$14kLowest
44% below VT
$300,000±$44kHighest
5% below VT
$231,100±$41k
27% below VT
$247,400±$66k
22% below VT
Putney and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$830±$116
33% below VT
$508±$482Lowest
59% below VT
—
$891±$266Highest
28% below VT
Franklin and Fair Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,865
23% below VT
$5,313Highest
5% above VT
$3,975
21% below VT
$3,384Lowest
33% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
50.9%±20.9
VT: 48.4%
54.2%±19.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
37.8%±31.1Lowest
VT: 48.4%
45.5%±42.2
VT: 48.4%
Putney and Fair Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
18.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
16%
VT: 10.1%
12.4%
VT: 10.1%
8.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.6%
VT: 73.2%
72.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
85%Highest
VT: 73.2%
74.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1977
1 yr newer than VT
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
31% above VT
18 minLowest
24% below VT
30 min
26% above VT
25 min
8% above VT
Work from home
4.3%±2.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
16.9%±6.5
VT: 16.9%
11.6%±5.3
VT: 16.9%
18.1%±4.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Franklin and Putney 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 #66 of 70 in VT #32 of 70 in VT — —
School district Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 Missisquoi Valley School District #89
High school in town Fair Haven Union Middle and High School None in town None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
12.8
— — —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 12 photos → 6 photos → 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.