Compare towns

Fairfield vs Stamford vs Sheldon

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Fairfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.1%).
Stamford has the oldest population (median age 49.4).
Sheldon has the most people working from home (13%).

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.

MeasureFairfieldStamfordSheldon
People
Population
1,938
963Lowest
2,267Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+4.5%
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42.3±2.7
about the VT average
49.4±5.5Highest
15% above VT
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% below VT
Stamford and Fairfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
25.4%±5Highest
VT: 17.9%
20.1%±3.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6
VT: 17.9%
Fairfield and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
14.3%±1.8
VT: 21.4%
20.5%±2.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
30.2%
VT: 43.8%
34%Highest
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.6
VT: 7%
4.5%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
2%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Stamford and Fairfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$87,019±$22k
7% above VT
$88,646±$9kHighest
9% above VT
$78,533±$25kLowest
3% below VT
Stamford and Fairfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$320,600±$22kHighest
about the VT average
$303,200±$25k
4% below VT
$272,400±$61kLowest
14% below VT
Fairfield and Stamford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,056±$441Lowest
14% below VT
$1,583±$935Highest
28% above VT
$1,286±$379
4% above VT
Stamford and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,816
4% below VT
$5,113Highest
about the VT average
$3,578Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
29.2%±20.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
28.6%±100
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Fairfield and Stamford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
6.3%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.5%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
95.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
89%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
about the VT average
31 minHighest
30% above VT
25 min
7% above VT
Work from home
7.8%±3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
8.1%±2.9
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Sheldon and Stamford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Maple Run Unified Union School District #57 Stamford School District 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.