Compare towns

Marshfield vs Strafford vs Sheffield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Marshfield has the most people working from home (17.5%).
Strafford has the most expensive homes ($431k median).
Sheffield has the most affordable homes ($172k 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.

MeasureMarshfieldStraffordSheffield
People
Population
470Lowest
1,372Highest
573
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-0.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42.4±8.8
about the VT average
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
42±8Lowest
about the VT average
Strafford and Marshfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.4%±9.1
VT: 17.9%
23%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
17.1%±6.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Strafford and Marshfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
10.2%±4.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.1%±3.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.2%±4
VT: 21.4%
Strafford and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.7%
VT: 43.8%
53.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
27.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±2.4Lowest
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6
VT: 7%
5.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
Sheffield and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$84,375±$20k
4% above VT
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
$58,333±$26kLowest
28% below VT
Strafford and Marshfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$178,300±$31k
44% below VT
$431,300±$40kHighest
36% above VT
$171,900±$50kLowest
46% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,125±$79Highest
9% below VT
$1,125±$789Highest
9% below VT
$967±$79Lowest
22% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,269
35% below VT
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
$2,123Lowest
58% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.4%±62.4
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48Lowest
VT: 48.4%
61.5%±41.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
Sheffield and Marshfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.9%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
5.2%
VT: 10.1%
6.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
88.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
83.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1987Highest
11 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 min
24% above VT
23 minLowest
about the VT average
30 minHighest
28% above VT
Work from home
17.5%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3
VT: 16.9%
6.1%±2.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Marshfield and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Strafford School District Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64
High school in town — None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.