Compare towns
Lowell vs Worcester vs Sheldon vs Westfield
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%).
Worcester has the most people working from home (23.6%).
Sheldon has the shortest commute (25 min average).
Westfield has the most expensive homes ($301k 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 | Worcester | Sheldon | Westfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,070 |
831 |
2,267Highest |
536Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% VT: +2.8% |
-0.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 32.9±6.5Lowest 24% below VT |
47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
40.9±3.5 5% below VT |
44±19.9 about the VT average |
| Worcester and Westfield 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% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
27.1%±5.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Lowell and Westfield 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% |
19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3 VT: 21.4% |
29.7%±11.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Westfield and Worcester 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% |
53%Highest VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
27.3% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9 VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
3.2%±2.5 VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Westfield 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 |
$73,833±$18k 9% below VT |
$78,533±$25kHighest 3% below VT |
$72,500±$30k 11% below VT |
| Sheldon and Worcester 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 |
$271,100±$27k 14% below VT |
$272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
$301,400±$47kHighest 5% below VT |
| Westfield 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 |
$1,023±$136 17% below VT |
$1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
$863±$187Lowest 30% below VT |
| Sheldon and Worcester 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 |
$4,421Highest 12% below VT |
$3,578 29% below VT |
$4,388 13% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.3%±92.9 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
66.7%±71.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Westfield 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% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89% VT: 73.2% |
91.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1976 same as VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 135% above VT |
29 min 22% above VT |
25 minLowest 7% above VT |
30 min 29% above VT |
| Work from home | 7.5%±2.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
14.4%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
| Worcester and Westfield 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 | 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 | 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.