Compare towns
Montgomery vs Barnard vs Lowell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Montgomery has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
Barnard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).
Lowell has the most affordable homes ($183k 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.
| Measure | Montgomery | Barnard | Lowell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,047Lowest |
1,211Highest |
1,070 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+4.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+0.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.5±11.3Highest 19% above VT |
42.4±6 about the VT average |
32.9±6.5Lowest 24% below VT |
| Montgomery and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.5%±4.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
26.9%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
30.7%±6.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Lowell and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 33.9%±8.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
22%±3.6 VT: 21.4% |
12.3%±4.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 52.8% VT: 43.8% |
55.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
19.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±3.2Highest VT: 7% |
2.4%±1.8Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.9Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $53,289±$24kLowest 34% below VT |
$97,581±$19kHighest 20% above VT |
$57,404±$15k 29% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $323,200±$45k about the VT average |
$402,600±$71kHighest 27% above VT |
$183,400±$33kLowest 42% below VT |
| Barnard and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $868±$209Lowest 30% below VT |
$1,372±$80Highest 11% above VT |
$945±$46 23% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,326 14% below VT |
$6,038Highest 20% above VT |
$2,810Lowest 44% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 76.6%±68Highest VT: 48.4% |
27%±19.8 VT: 48.4% |
26.3%±92.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Montgomery and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 15.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
9.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.4% VT: 73.2% |
94.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1971Lowest 5 yrs older than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 37 min 58% above VT |
29 minLowest 21% above VT |
55 minHighest 135% above VT |
| Work from home | 16%±5.9 VT: 16.9% |
19.3%±10.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
7.5%±2.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Barnard and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Lowell School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.