Compare towns
Lowell vs Middlesex vs Strafford vs Roxbury
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 affordable homes ($183k median).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Strafford has the oldest population (median age 51.4).
Roxbury has the oldest housing (typical home built 1974).
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 | Roxbury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,070 |
1,943Highest |
1,372 |
942Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-0.4% VT: +2.8% |
-1.9%Lowest 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 |
35.6±11.7 17% 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%±3.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
30.6%±5 VT: 17.9% |
| Lowell and Roxbury 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% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
22.1%±3.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
18.7%±8.1 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%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
53.3% VT: 43.8% |
29.9% 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% |
2.8%±2.3Lowest 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 |
$73,214±$22k 10% below VT |
| 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 |
$242,600±$55k 23% 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 |
$950±$495 23% below VT |
| Middlesex and Strafford 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 |
$4,284 15% 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% |
16.7%±100 VT: 48.4% |
| Strafford and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.6% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.2% VT: 10.1% |
27.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
88.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
94% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1974Lowest 2 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 135% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
23 minLowest about the VT average |
26 min 12% 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% |
5.2%±3.8Lowest 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 | — |
| 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 | 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.