Compare towns
Montgomery vs Shelburne vs Worcester
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).
Shelburne has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k 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 | Shelburne | Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,047 |
7,969Highest |
831Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.4% VT: +2.8% |
+8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.5±11.3Highest 19% above VT |
50.9±3.2 18% above VT |
47±2.7Lowest 9% above VT |
| Montgomery and Shelburne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.5%±4.4 VT: 17.9% |
20.2%±3.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Shelburne and Montgomery 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% |
29.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Montgomery and Shelburne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 52.8%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
70.2%Highest VT: 43.8% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±3.2Lowest VT: 7% |
4.7%±2.9 VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Shelburne 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 |
$115,963±$16kHighest 43% above VT |
$73,833±$18k 9% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $323,200±$45k about the VT average |
$588,100±$44kHighest 86% above VT |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $868±$209Lowest 30% below VT |
$1,442±$589Highest 17% above VT |
$1,023±$136 17% below VT |
| Shelburne and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,326Lowest 14% below VT |
$8,173Highest 62% above VT |
$4,421 12% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 76.6%±68Highest VT: 48.4% |
43.7%±10.6 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Montgomery and Shelburne 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% |
8.4% VT: 10.1% |
5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7% VT: 73.2% |
69.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 58% above VT |
20 minLowest 14% below VT |
29 min 22% above VT |
| Work from home | 16%±5.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
31.4%±7.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
| Shelburne and Worcester 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 | — | #8 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| 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.