Compare towns

Norwich vs Lee vs Lyme

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Norwich has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Lee has the most affordable homes ($481k median).
Lyme has the oldest population (median age 48.6).

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.

MeasureNorwichLeeLyme
People
Population
3,640
4,576Highest
1,710Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
+1.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
40.8±3.2Lowest
5% above U.S.
42.9±1.9
10% above U.S.
48.6±7.8Highest
25% above U.S.
Lyme and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
24%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
21.9%±5.6
U.S.: 22%
19.5%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Norwich and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.6%±6.8
U.S.: 17.2%
26.5%±2.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Lyme and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
81%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
50.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
70.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.8%±2.4
U.S.: 6.4%
5.4%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.3%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Lee and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$140,313±$12kHighest
74% above U.S.
$131,579±$54kLowest
63% above U.S.
$133,906±$15k
66% above U.S.
Norwich and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$637,500±$76k
92% above U.S.
$480,600±$61kLowest
44% above U.S.
$645,000±$64kHighest
94% above U.S.
Lyme and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,460±$322Highest
3% above U.S.
—
$1,418±$130Lowest
about the U.S. average
Norwich and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$9,661Lowest
210% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.7%±19.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
38.3%±53.3
U.S.: 51.1%
52.8%±29.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Lyme and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
2.6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.4%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
95.8%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1987Highest
7 yrs newer than U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
19 minLowest
28% below U.S.
28 minHighest
4% above U.S.
21 min
21% below U.S.
Work from home
21%±5.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
27.6%±8.8Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
27.2%±5.4
U.S.: 15.1%
Lee and Lyme 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 #1 of 70 in VT #3 of 120 in NH —
School district Norwich School District Oyster River Coop School District Lyme School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story None yet 10 photos → 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.