Compare towns
Ludlow vs Sheldon vs Dover vs Mount Holly
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 renters (28.1% rent).
Sheldon has the youngest population (median age 40.9).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).
Mount Holly has the most homeowners (92.2%).
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 | Sheldon | Dover | Mount Holly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,990 |
2,267Highest |
1,466 |
1,415Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.6% VT: +2.8% |
-2.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+60%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+12% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.2±6.2 21% above VT |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
53.5±8.3Highest 24% above VT |
53.5±8.2Highest 24% above VT |
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±6 VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
10.2%±5.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.2%±5 VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Mount Holly 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% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.5%±6.2 VT: 21.4% |
28%±4.6 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% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
41.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±6.4Highest VT: 7% |
2%±1.3 VT: 7% |
2.5%±2.9 VT: 7% |
1.5%±1.2Lowest VT: 7% |
| Ludlow and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $54,885±$14k 32% below VT |
$78,533±$25kHighest 3% below VT |
$52,313±$7kLowest 36% below VT |
$78,015±$19k 4% below VT |
| Sheldon and Mount Holly 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 |
$272,400±$61kLowest 14% below VT |
$332,900±$55k 5% above VT |
$296,900±$40k 6% below 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 |
$1,286±$379 4% above VT |
$670±$49Lowest 46% below VT |
$1,534±$1kHighest 24% above VT |
| Mount Holly and Sheldon 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 |
$3,578Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,510 10% below VT |
$3,926 22% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.2%±25.2 VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
38.1%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
65.9%±65.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Mount Holly and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.6% VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7.3% VT: 10.1% |
11.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89% VT: 73.2% |
81.1% VT: 73.2% |
92.2%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Lowest 6 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 14% below VT |
25 min 7% above VT |
22 min 6% below VT |
27 minHighest 13% above VT |
| Work from home | 21.3%±5.2 VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
23.2%±11.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.2%±6.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Dover and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Ludlow Mt. Holly Unified Union School District #83 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 | Ludlow Mt. Holly Unified Union School District #83 |
| 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.