Compare towns

Monroe vs Castleton vs Barnet vs Groton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Monroe has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.6%).
Castleton has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Barnet has the most kids (21.6% under 18).
Groton has the most homeowners (91.3%).

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.

MeasureMonroeCastletonBarnetGroton
People
Population
786
4,453Highest
1,855
507Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-5.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
-4%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
51±10.4
31% above U.S.
38.3±4.3Lowest
about the U.S. average
47.7±5.3
23% above U.S.
51.1±16.2Highest
31% above U.S.
Groton and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.9%±7.6
U.S.: 22%
18.8%±6.4
U.S.: 22%
21.6%±4.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.4%±4.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Barnet and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
30.3%±8.9Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.7%±4.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
28.8%±3.8
U.S.: 17.2%
29.4%±4.8
U.S.: 17.2%
Monroe and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
25.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
37.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
35.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
29.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.1%±1.8
U.S.: 6.4%
19.3%±1.8Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±2
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$88,150±$7kHighest
9% above U.S.
$73,854±$23k
9% below U.S.
$67,386±$15kLowest
17% below U.S.
$85,625±$21k
6% above U.S.
Monroe and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$312,700±$58kHighest
6% below U.S.
$224,800±$71kLowest
32% below U.S.
$247,900±$24k
25% below U.S.
$269,000±$45k
19% below U.S.
Monroe and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,104±$218
22% below U.S.
$1,137±$195
20% below U.S.
$974±$72Lowest
31% below U.S.
$2,667±$295Highest
89% above U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,661Lowest
15% below U.S.
$3,167
about the U.S. average
$4,489Highest
44% above U.S.
$2,873
8% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
48%±39Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
67.7%±21.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
59.3%±29.9
U.S.: 51.1%
50%±83.6
U.S.: 51.1%
Castleton and Barnet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
12.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
10.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
79%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
91.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
1974Lowest
6 yrs older than U.S.
1974Lowest
6 yrs older than U.S.
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
4% above U.S.
19 minLowest
27% below U.S.
28 min
5% above U.S.
29 minHighest
11% above U.S.
Work from home
3.2%±2.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
6.2%±3.9
U.S.: 15.1%
13.3%±4.5
U.S.: 15.1%
13.7%±6.5Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Groton and Barnet 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 Monroe School District Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78 —
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

U.S. 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.