Compare towns
Lowell vs Middlesex vs Strafford vs Eden
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lowell has the most kids (30.7% under 18).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Strafford has the shortest commute (23 min average).
Eden has the most renters (22.6% rent).
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 | Middlesex | Strafford | Eden |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,070Lowest |
1,943Highest |
1,372 |
1,351 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-0.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+1.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 32.9±6.5Lowest 24% below VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
51.4±4.7Highest 19% above VT |
37.7±1.9 13% below VT |
| Strafford and Middlesex 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% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
23%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
20.4%±4.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Lowell and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 12.3%±4.1 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
22.1%±3.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
11.6%±3.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Strafford and Middlesex 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% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
53.3% VT: 43.8% |
17.4%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
5.1%±2.6 VT: 7% |
4.1%±3.8 VT: 7% |
| Middlesex and Strafford 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 |
$109,632±$13k 35% above VT |
$110,833±$19kHighest 36% above VT |
$83,578±$8k about the VT average |
| Strafford and Middlesex 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 |
$376,300±$40k 19% above VT |
$431,300±$40kHighest 36% above VT |
$215,900±$27k 32% below VT |
| Strafford and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $945±$46Lowest 23% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,125±$789 9% below VT |
$1,300±$441 5% above VT |
| Middlesex and Eden 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 |
$6,483 29% above VT |
$7,149Highest 42% above VT |
$3,313 34% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.3%±92.9 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±48Highest VT: 48.4% |
34.3%±39 VT: 48.4% |
| Strafford and Eden 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% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.2% VT: 10.1% |
6.1% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
88.9% VT: 73.2% |
77.4%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
1986 10 yrs newer than VT |
1980Lowest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1991Highest 15 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 135% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
23 minLowest about the VT average |
38 min 63% above VT |
| Work from home | 7.5%±2.3 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.1%±4.3 VT: 16.9% |
5.6%±4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Lowell School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Strafford School District | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None 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.