Compare towns
Ludlow vs Sandgate vs Castleton vs Dover
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ludlow has the most expensive homes ($370k median).
Sandgate has the most people working from home (34.6%).
Castleton has the most kids (18.8% under 18).
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 | Ludlow | Sandgate | Castleton | Dover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,990 |
435Lowest |
4,453Highest |
1,466 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.6% VT: +2.8% |
— | -5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+60%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.2±6.2 21% above VT |
55.7±5.4Highest 29% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
53.5±8.3 24% above VT |
| Sandgate and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±6 VT: 17.9% |
13.1%±7.5 VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
10.2%±5.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Castleton and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 31.1%±2Highest VT: 21.4% |
26%±11.3 VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.5%±6.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Ludlow and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1% VT: 43.8% |
37.8%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
37.9% VT: 43.8% |
48.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±6.4 VT: 7% |
2.3%±2.4Lowest VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.5%±2.9 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $54,885±$14k 32% below VT |
$69,167±$19k 15% below VT |
$73,854±$23kHighest 9% below VT |
$52,313±$7kLowest 36% below VT |
| Castleton and Sandgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $370,200±$46kHighest 17% above VT |
$193,800±$31kLowest 39% below VT |
$224,800±$71k 29% below VT |
$332,900±$55k 5% above VT |
| Ludlow and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,112±$151 10% below VT |
— | $1,137±$195Highest 8% below VT |
$670±$49Lowest 46% below VT |
| Castleton and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,890Highest about the VT average |
$2,778Lowest 45% below VT |
$3,167 37% below VT |
$4,510 10% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.2%±25.2 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
38.1%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
9.7% VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
94.3%Highest VT: 73.2% |
79% VT: 73.2% |
81.1% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1959Lowest 17 yrs older than VT |
1974 2 yrs older than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 14% below VT |
27 minHighest 16% above VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
22 min 6% below VT |
| Work from home | 21.3%±5.2 VT: 16.9% |
34.6%±32.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.2%±11.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Sandgate and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | — | #39 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Ludlow Mt. Holly Unified Union School District #83 | — | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 |
| 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.