Compare towns

Norwich vs Sharon vs White River Junction

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Norwich has the most expensive homes ($638k median).
Sharon has the oldest population (median age 45.6).
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).

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.

MeasureNorwichSharonWhite River Junction
People
Population
3,640Highest
1,577Lowest
3,364
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.8%
VT: +2.8%
+3.9%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+10.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
40.8±3.2
5% below VT
45.6±7.7Highest
6% above VT
33.7±3.2Lowest
22% below VT
Sharon and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
24%±5.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
21%±5
VT: 17.9%
17.1%±5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Norwich and Sharon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16%±3.4
VT: 21.4%
25.1%±3.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
12.5%±3.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
81%Highest
VT: 43.8%
37.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
38.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.8%±2.4Highest
VT: 7%
1.5%±0.9
VT: 7%
1.2%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
Norwich and Sharon 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
73% above VT
$84,375±$17k
4% above VT
$77,168±$4kLowest
5% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$637,500±$76kHighest
101% above VT
$346,700±$37k
10% above VT
$278,800±$78kLowest
12% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,460±$322Highest
18% above VT
$1,386±$155
12% above VT
$1,222±$216Lowest
about the VT average
Norwich and Sharon 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 98% above VT
$5,903
17% above VT
$5,651Lowest
12% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.7%±19.9
VT: 48.4%
19.8%±17.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
42.9%±17.3Highest
VT: 48.4%
White River Junction and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
3%
VT: 10.1%
12.1%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.9%
VT: 73.2%
79.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
43.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1981
5 yrs newer than VT
1963Lowest
13 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
19 min
19% below VT
26 minHighest
12% above VT
15 minLowest
35% below VT
Work from home
21%±5.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
12.7%±3.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
15.7%±5.8
VT: 16.9%
Norwich and White River Junction 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 — —
School district Norwich School District Sharon School District —
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.