Compare towns

Leicester vs Middlesex vs Sheldon

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Leicester has the oldest population (median age 48.8).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Sheldon has the most affordable 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.

MeasureLeicesterMiddlesexSheldon
People
Population
1,026Lowest
1,943
2,267Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-10%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+2.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
48.8±3.8Highest
13% above VT
44.4±3.9
3% above VT
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% below VT
Leicester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.9%±5.1Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Sheldon and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.5%±6.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
20.6%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Leicester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.9%
VT: 43.8%
54.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.3%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
2%±1.3
VT: 7%
Middlesex and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$70,417±$30kLowest
13% below VT
$109,632±$13kHighest
35% above VT
$78,533±$25k
3% below VT
Middlesex and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$309,700±$107k
about the VT average
$376,300±$40kHighest
19% above VT
$272,400±$61kLowest
14% below VT
Middlesex and Leicester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,098±$300Lowest
11% below VT
$1,333±$359Highest
8% above VT
$1,286±$379
4% above VT
Middlesex and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,822
24% below VT
$6,483Highest
29% above VT
$3,578Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
33.3%±40.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Leicester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
3.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
5.1%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.5%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
89%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Lowest
5 yrs newer than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
1984
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minHighest
20% above VT
27 min
17% above VT
25 minLowest
7% above VT
Work from home
12.7%±5.9Lowest
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
Schools
School district — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 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

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.