Compare towns

Montgomery vs Plainfield vs Sheldon

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).
Plainfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% 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.

MeasureMontgomeryPlainfieldSheldon
People
Population
1,047Lowest
1,314
2,267Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.4%
VT: +2.8%
-0.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
51.5±11.3Highest
19% above VT
48.1±5.5
12% above VT
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% below VT
Montgomery and Plainfield 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%
16.3%±4.7
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Sheldon and Plainfield 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%
21.1%±3.5
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
52.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
48.2%
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±3.2Highest
VT: 7%
2.1%±1.3
VT: 7%
2%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Montgomery and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$53,289±$24kLowest
34% below VT
$69,250±$31k
15% below VT
$78,533±$25kHighest
3% below VT
Sheldon and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$323,200±$45kHighest
about the VT average
$318,400±$34k
about the VT average
$272,400±$61kLowest
14% below VT
Montgomery and Plainfield 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
$1,153±$103
7% below VT
$1,286±$379Highest
4% above VT
Sheldon and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,326
14% below VT
$4,806Highest
5% below VT
$3,578Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
76.6%±68Highest
VT: 48.4%
73.2%±53.9
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Montgomery and Plainfield 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%
11.6%
VT: 10.1%
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
80.9%
VT: 73.2%
89%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1955Lowest
21 yrs older than VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
37 minHighest
58% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
25 min
7% above VT
Work from home
16%±5.9
VT: 16.9%
16.4%±4.4Highest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Plainfield 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 — Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
High school 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.