Compare towns

Lyndon vs Bakersfield vs Chester

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lyndon has the shortest commute (23 min average).
Bakersfield has the highest household income ($83k).
Chester has the most kids (14.1% 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.

MeasureLyndonBakersfieldChester
People
Population
5,590Highest
1,109Lowest
2,992
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-8.2%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-3.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-4.7%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
48.4±6.7
12% above VT
46.4±8Lowest
8% above VT
49.7±4.7Highest
15% above VT
Chester and Lyndon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.1%±2.8Lowest
VT: 17.9%
13.6%±3.5
VT: 17.9%
14.1%±4.7Highest
VT: 17.9%
Chester and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.8%±3.8
VT: 21.4%
21.2%±3.9Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.8%±7.9Highest
VT: 21.4%
Chester and Lyndon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
30.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
39.2%Highest
VT: 43.8%
33.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
9.8%±2Highest
VT: 7%
7.5%±4.7
VT: 7%
5.1%±4Lowest
VT: 7%
Lyndon and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$68,786±$6k
15% below VT
$83,462±$18kHighest
about the VT average
$62,125±$8kLowest
23% below VT
Bakersfield and Lyndon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$227,000±$21kLowest
28% below VT
$271,300±$19kHighest
14% below VT
$232,900±$44k
26% below VT
Bakersfield and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,096±$123
11% below VT
$1,200±$327Highest
about the VT average
$960±$44Lowest
22% below VT
Bakersfield and Lyndon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,846
24% below VT
$3,823Lowest
24% below VT
$4,262Highest
15% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
55.7%±15.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
18.8%±100
VT: 48.4%
11.5%±12.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Lyndon and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11%Highest
VT: 10.1%
7.3%
VT: 10.1%
7%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
94%Highest
VT: 73.2%
86.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
5 yrs newer than VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1972Lowest
4 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
about the VT average
33 minHighest
40% above VT
28 min
18% above VT
Work from home
10.5%±3.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.2%±7Highest
VT: 16.9%
14%±6.9
VT: 16.9%
Bakersfield and Chester 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 #44 of 70 in VT — #49 of 70 in VT
School district Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 Green Mountain Unified School District #77
High school in town None in town None in town Green Mountain Union High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
8.7
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet 6 photos →

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.