Compare towns
Marshfield vs Castleton vs Plainfield vs Peacham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Marshfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.3%).
Castleton has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Plainfield has the most expensive homes ($318k median).
Peacham has the highest household income ($90k).
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 | Marshfield | Castleton | Plainfield | Peacham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,863 |
4,453Highest |
1,314 |
887Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.3%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.6% VT: +2.8% |
-2.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 38.7±6.1 10% below VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
48.1±5.5 12% above VT |
50.1±5.7Highest 16% above VT |
| Peacham and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 24.2%±2.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
16.3%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20.7%±6 VT: 17.9% |
| Marshfield and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 17.8%±2.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
21.1%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
33.6%±2.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.5% VT: 43.8% |
37.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.2% VT: 43.8% |
48.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±1.4 VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.1%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
5.4%±4 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $60,313±$10kLowest 26% below VT |
$73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$69,250±$31k 15% below VT |
$90,000±$28kHighest 11% above VT |
| Peacham and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $214,100±$37kLowest 32% below VT |
$224,800±$71k 29% below VT |
$318,400±$34kHighest about the VT average |
$302,000±$64k 5% below VT |
| Plainfield and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,317±$126Highest 7% above VT |
$1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$1,153±$103 7% below VT |
$1,028±$248Lowest 17% below VT |
| Marshfield and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,668 27% below VT |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$4,806 5% below VT |
$5,605Highest 11% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 65.7%±73.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9 VT: 48.4% |
73.2%±53.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
66.7%±17.7 VT: 48.4% |
| Plainfield and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
11.6% VT: 10.1% |
10.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
79% VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
76.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972 4 yrs older than VT |
1974 2 yrs older than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1976Highest same as VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 23% above VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
24 min about the VT average |
31 minHighest 31% above VT |
| Work from home | 24.5%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±4.4 VT: 16.9% |
24.2%±16.9 VT: 16.9% |
| Marshfield and Peacham 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 | — | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | — | Peacham School District |
| High school 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.