Compare towns
Lowell vs Montgomery 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%).
Montgomery has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
Sheldon has the highest household income ($79k).
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 | Montgomery | Sheldon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,070 |
1,047Lowest |
2,267Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.4% VT: +2.8% |
-2.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 32.9±6.5Lowest 24% below VT |
51.5±11.3Highest 19% above VT |
40.9±3.5 5% below VT |
| Montgomery and Sheldon 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% |
15.5%±4.4Lowest 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% |
33.9%±8.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.2% VT: 43.8% |
52.8%Highest VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±3.2Highest VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $57,404±$15k 29% below VT |
$53,289±$24kLowest 34% below VT |
$78,533±$25kHighest 3% below VT |
| Sheldon and Lowell 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 |
$323,200±$45kHighest about the VT average |
$272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
| Montgomery and Sheldon 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 |
$868±$209Lowest 30% 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 |
$4,326Highest 14% below VT |
$3,578 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.3%±92.9 VT: 48.4% |
76.6%±68Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Montgomery 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% |
15.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1980Lowest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 135% above VT |
37 min 58% above VT |
25 minLowest 7% above VT |
| Work from home | 7.5%±2.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16%±5.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
| Montgomery 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 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | 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 Our Story | 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.