Compare towns

Fletcher vs Strafford vs Waterville

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Fletcher has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.4%).
Strafford has the most expensive homes ($431k median).
Waterville has the most affordable homes ($236k 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.

MeasureFletcherStraffordWaterville
People
Population
1,196
1,372Highest
680Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+1.9%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
48.7±7.3Lowest
13% above VT
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
49.1±8.2
14% above VT
Strafford and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19%±4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
20.4%±8.2
VT: 17.9%
Strafford and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.7%±4
VT: 21.4%
22.1%±3.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
14.4%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Strafford and Fletcher are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.3%
VT: 43.8%
53.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
32.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.3%±1.9Lowest
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6
VT: 7%
5.3%±3.3Highest
VT: 7%
Waterville and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$105,833±$9k
30% above VT
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
$71,250±$27kLowest
12% below VT
Strafford and Fletcher are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$302,100±$37k
5% below VT
$431,300±$40kHighest
36% above VT
$236,300±$15kLowest
25% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,679±$427Highest
36% above VT
$1,125±$789
9% below VT
$1,110±$93Lowest
10% below VT
Fletcher and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,965
about the VT average
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
$3,957Lowest
21% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.1%±78.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48Highest
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±27.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
Below poverty line
3.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
5.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.9%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
96.1%Highest
VT: 73.2%
88.9%
VT: 73.2%
79.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1987Highest
11 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1972Lowest
4 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
37% above VT
23 minLowest
about the VT average
38 minHighest
60% above VT
Work from home
12.3%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
8.5%±3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Strafford and Fletcher are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Fletcher School District Strafford School District Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A
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.