Compare towns

Hampton vs Fair Haven vs Sheldon

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hampton has the most affordable homes ($167k median).
Fair Haven has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.1%).
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.

MeasureHamptonFair HavenSheldon
People
Population
1,145Lowest
2,724Highest
2,267
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-8.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+0.1%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.5%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
43.1±14.7Highest
11% above U.S.
39.2±7.6Lowest
about the U.S. average
40.9±3.5
5% above U.S.
Hampton and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.9%±6.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
19.4%±5.1
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Sheldon and Fair Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.6%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.4%±4.5
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Hampton 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+
15.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
23.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
14.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.2%±3.1
U.S.: 6.4%
4.1%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Fair Haven and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,796±$8k
9% below U.S.
$62,404±$16kLowest
23% below U.S.
$78,533±$25kHighest
about the U.S. average
Sheldon and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$166,800±$10kLowest
50% below U.S.
$176,500±$14k
47% below U.S.
$272,400±$61kHighest
18% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,264±$375
11% below U.S.
$830±$116Lowest
41% below U.S.
$1,286±$379Highest
9% below U.S.
Sheldon and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,007Lowest
4% below U.S.
$3,865Highest
24% above U.S.
$3,578
15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
13.2%±25.1
U.S.: 51.1%
50.9%±20.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Fair Haven and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
18.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
78.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
89%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1987Highest
7 yrs newer than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
1984
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the U.S. average
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
25 minLowest
5% below U.S.
Work from home
7.8%±8.4
U.S.: 15.1%
4.3%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Sheldon and Hampton 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 —
School district — Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
High school in town — Fair Haven Union Middle and High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.8
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 12 photos → None yet

U.S. 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.