Compare towns

Lincoln vs Strafford vs Starksboro

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lincoln has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.1%).
Strafford has the shortest commute (23 min average).
Starksboro has the most affordable homes ($288k 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.

MeasureLincolnStraffordStarksboro
People
Population
1,394
1,372Lowest
1,939Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%
VT: +2.8%
-1.2%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.7±3.6
6% above VT
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
38.2±4.8Lowest
11% below VT
Strafford and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.1%±3.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23%±5.2
VT: 17.9%
26.4%±4.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
Starksboro and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.3%±3Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.1%±3.4
VT: 21.4%
17.4%±2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Lincoln and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
43.5%
VT: 43.8%
53.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
39.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
3.1%±1.9
VT: 7%
Strafford and Starksboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$96,667±$18k
19% above VT
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
$82,188±$15kLowest
about the VT average
Strafford and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$365,200±$30k
15% above VT
$431,300±$40kHighest
36% above VT
$287,700±$42kLowest
9% below VT
Strafford and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$870±$47Lowest
29% below VT
$1,125±$789
9% below VT
$1,306±$91Highest
6% above VT
Starksboro and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,100
21% above VT
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
$4,536Lowest
10% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
49.1%±25.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48
VT: 48.4%
28.6%±26.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Lincoln and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
7%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
88.9%
VT: 73.2%
91.3%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Lowest
1 yr newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minHighest
26% above VT
23 minLowest
about the VT average
29 min
24% above VT
Work from home
18.8%±5.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
18.5%±4.5
VT: 16.9%
Lincoln and Starksboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Lincoln Town School District Strafford School District Mt. Abraham Unified School District #61
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

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.