Compare towns

Fairlee vs Halifax vs Newfane

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Fairlee has the highest household income ($75k).
Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Newfane has the most expensive homes ($284k median).

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.

MeasureFairleeHalifaxNewfane
People
Population
1,066
847Lowest
1,456Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.1%
VT: +2.8%
+5.9%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-4.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
56.2±8.7Highest
30% above VT
40.6±13.1Lowest
6% below VT
54.4±3.9
26% above VT
Fairlee and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.2%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
25.4%±5.3Highest
VT: 17.9%
11.1%±3.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Age 65+
33.4%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.6%±7.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.2%±3.9
VT: 21.4%
Fairlee and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
46.5%Highest
VT: 43.8%
44.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
46.5%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.3%±3.7Highest
VT: 7%
1.2%±0.9Lowest
VT: 7%
2.4%±2.1
VT: 7%
Fairlee and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$74,760±$10kHighest
8% below VT
$63,889±$7kLowest
21% below VT
$66,719±$21k
18% below VT
Fairlee and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$274,200±$39k
13% below VT
$267,500±$21kLowest
16% below VT
$284,200±$49kHighest
10% below VT
Newfane and Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,083±$242
12% below VT
$875±$154Lowest
29% below VT
$1,266±$238Highest
about the VT average
Newfane and Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,617Highest
11% above VT
$4,991Lowest
about the VT average
$5,174
about the VT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
89.2%±71.3Highest
VT: 48.4%
57.1%±73.8
VT: 48.4%
51.9%±79.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Fairlee and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
14.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
10.9%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
86.6%
VT: 73.2%
87.2%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972Highest
4 yrs older than VT
1968Lowest
8 yrs older than VT
1971
5 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
3% above VT
33 minHighest
38% above VT
27 min
13% above VT
Work from home
15%±7.9Lowest
VT: 16.9%
29.9%±11.9
VT: 16.9%
30.8%±12.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
Newfane and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Rivendell Interstate School District Halifax School District West River Valley Union Education District #72A
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.