Compare towns
Hancock vs Stratton vs Brighton vs Poultney
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hancock has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Stratton has the most expensive homes ($400k median).
Brighton has the oldest population (median age 45.2).
Poultney has the youngest population (median age 28.2).
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 | Hancock | Stratton | Brighton | Poultney |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 435Lowest |
532 |
1,167Highest |
1,033 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | -5.3%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-33.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 33.8±11.6 22% below VT |
31.5±4.1 27% below VT |
45.2±11.6Highest 5% above VT |
28.2±4.5Lowest 35% below VT |
| Brighton and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.2%±5.8 VT: 17.9% |
28%±7.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
18.3%±5.7 VT: 17.9% |
16.8%±5Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Stratton and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.8%±3.6 VT: 21.4% |
11.7%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
27.2%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.1%±6.6 VT: 21.4% |
| Brighton and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.3% VT: 43.8% |
33.2% VT: 43.8% |
25.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
38.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±3.6 VT: 7% |
1.3%±2.8Lowest VT: 7% |
4.6%±2.4 VT: 7% |
22.1%±3.3Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $76,250±$34k 6% below VT |
$122,708±$33kHighest 51% above VT |
$47,375±$21kLowest 42% below VT |
$70,536±$11k 13% below VT |
| Stratton and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $187,900±$11k 41% below VT |
$400,000±$50kHighest 26% above VT |
$163,900±$39kLowest 48% below VT |
$196,600±$43k 38% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $939±$19 24% below VT |
$1,208±$979Highest about the VT average |
$775±$33Lowest 37% below VT |
$868±$113 30% below VT |
| Stratton and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,511 30% below VT |
$4,750Highest 6% below VT |
$3,360Lowest 33% below VT |
$3,450 32% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 3.5%±16.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
12%±69.8 VT: 48.4% |
55%±17Highest VT: 48.4% |
23.2%±12.4 VT: 48.4% |
| Below poverty line | 5.6% VT: 10.1% |
0%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
22%Highest VT: 10.1% |
11.4% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 59.5% VT: 73.2% |
73.3%Highest VT: 73.2% |
51.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
56.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972 4 yrs older than VT |
1988Highest 12 yrs newer than VT |
1967 9 yrs older than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 17% above VT |
33 min 39% above VT |
33 minHighest 41% above VT |
31 min 33% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±5 VT: 16.9% |
3.3%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
12.4%±8.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
11.3%±3.5 VT: 16.9% |
| Brighton and Hancock 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 | — | — | — | #41 of 70 in VT |
| School district | — | — | Brighton School District | — |
| High school in town | — | — | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.