Compare towns
Groton vs Ryegate vs Sheldon
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Groton has the oldest population (median age 45.7).
Ryegate has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.8%).
Sheldon has the most expensive homes ($272k 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.
| Measure | Groton | Ryegate | Sheldon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 967Lowest |
1,059 |
2,267Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.7±5.8Highest 6% above VT |
41.2±2.6 4% below VT |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
| Groton and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.3%±2.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23.2%±4.6 VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 20.5%±3 VT: 21.4% |
22.1%±1.5Highest VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Ryegate and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
29.1% VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.5%±5.7Highest VT: 7% |
2.4%±1.4 VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
| Groton and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $77,250±$14k 5% below VT |
$66,484±$15kLowest 18% below VT |
$78,533±$25kHighest 3% below VT |
| Sheldon and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $243,000±$70k 23% below VT |
$219,300±$32kLowest 31% below VT |
$272,400±$61kHighest 14% below VT |
| Sheldon and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $288±$151Lowest 77% below VT |
$908±$236 26% below VT |
$1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
| Sheldon and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,659Highest 27% below VT |
$3,472Lowest 31% below VT |
$3,578 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 12.5%±72.9 VT: 48.4% |
55.9%±29.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Ryegate and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.8% VT: 10.1% |
14.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
84.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1949Lowest 27 yrs older than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 29% above VT |
28 min 18% above VT |
25 minLowest 7% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.3%±7 VT: 16.9% |
8.2%±3.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Sheldon and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | — | — | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 |
| High school 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.