Compare towns

Hampton vs Williston 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).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).

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.

MeasureHamptonWillistonSheldon
People
Population
1,145Lowest
10,144Highest
2,267
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-8.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+16.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.5%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
43.1±14.7
11% above U.S.
45.4±4.5Highest
17% above U.S.
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% above U.S.
Williston and Hampton 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%
20.5%±5.2
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Sheldon and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.6%±3.3
U.S.: 17.2%
21%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Williston and Hampton 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%
54.9%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%
5.7%±2.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Williston 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±$8kLowest
9% below U.S.
$106,967±$12kHighest
32% above U.S.
$78,533±$25k
about the U.S. average
Williston and Sheldon 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.
$475,800±$40kHighest
43% above U.S.
$272,400±$61k
18% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,264±$375Lowest
11% below U.S.
$1,832±$130Highest
30% above U.S.
$1,286±$379
9% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,007Lowest
4% below U.S.
$5,592Highest
79% above U.S.
$3,578
15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
13.2%±25.1
U.S.: 51.1%
46.9%±17.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Williston and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
78.4%
U.S.: 65.2%
75.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
89%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1987
7 yrs newer than U.S.
1993Highest
13 yrs newer than U.S.
1984Lowest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minHighest
about the U.S. average
20 minLowest
25% below U.S.
25 min
5% below U.S.
Work from home
7.8%±8.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
22.3%±7.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±3.7
U.S.: 15.1%
Williston and Sheldon 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 — #11 of 70 in VT —
School district — Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
High school in town — None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet 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.