Compare towns
Lowell vs Franklin vs Sheldon
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lowell has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.9%).
Franklin has the most people working from home (18.1%).
Sheldon has the most expensive 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.
| Measure | Lowell | Franklin | Sheldon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,070Lowest |
1,590 |
2,267Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 32.9±6.5Lowest 24% below VT |
38.8±6.9 10% below VT |
40.9±3.5Highest 5% below VT |
| Sheldon and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 30.7%±6.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
23.5%±5.6Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
| Lowell and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 12.3%±4.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
15.3%±1.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Franklin and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.2% VT: 43.8% |
21.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9 VT: 7% |
7.5%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
| Franklin and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $57,404±$15kLowest 29% below VT |
$79,917±$21kHighest about the VT average |
$78,533±$25k 3% below VT |
| Franklin and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $183,400±$33kLowest 42% below VT |
$247,400±$66k 22% below VT |
$272,400±$61kHighest 14% below VT |
| Sheldon and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $945±$46 23% below VT |
$891±$266Lowest 28% below VT |
$1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
| Sheldon and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,810Lowest 44% below VT |
$3,384 33% below VT |
$3,578Highest 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.3%±92.9 VT: 48.4% |
45.5%±42.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Franklin and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
74.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1983Lowest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 135% above VT |
25 min 8% above VT |
25 minLowest 7% above VT |
| Work from home | 7.5%±2.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.1%±4.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
| Franklin and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Lowell School District | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 |
| 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.