Compare towns

Lempster vs Sheldon vs Unity

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lempster has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Unity has the oldest population (median age 58).

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.

MeasureLempsterSheldonUnity
People
Population
953Lowest
2,267Highest
1,375
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-9.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.8±7.2
31% above U.S.
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% above U.S.
58±4.5Highest
49% above U.S.
Unity and Lempster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.8%±4.1
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
12%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
25.4%±3.5
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
34.9%±7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Unity and Lempster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
14.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
21.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.1%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3
U.S.: 6.4%
1%±0.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$86,607±$12k
7% above U.S.
$78,533±$25kLowest
about the U.S. average
$87,500±$16kHighest
8% above U.S.
Unity and Lempster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$241,900±$29kLowest
27% below U.S.
$272,400±$61k
18% below U.S.
$276,100±$29kHighest
17% below U.S.
Unity and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,286±$379Lowest
9% below U.S.
$1,625±$804Highest
15% above U.S.
Unity and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,558
46% above U.S.
$3,578Lowest
15% above U.S.
$5,394Highest
73% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
100%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
40%±100
U.S.: 51.1%
Lempster and Unity are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
98.2%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
89%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
94.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
1982
2 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
37 minHighest
41% above U.S.
25 minLowest
5% below U.S.
35 min
32% above U.S.
Work from home
5%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
9.5%±4
U.S.: 15.1%
Sheldon and Unity are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Lempster School District Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 Unity School District
High school in town None 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.