Compare towns
Norwich vs Strafford vs Madison
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 the most expensive homes ($638k median).
Strafford has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Madison has the most affordable homes ($389k 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 | Norwich | Strafford | Madison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,640 |
4,306Highest |
2,680Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 40.8±3.2Lowest 5% above U.S. |
46.3±2.1 19% above U.S. |
50.3±9.7Highest 29% above U.S. |
| Madison and Strafford 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% |
17.6%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.1%±6.7 U.S.: 22% |
| Norwich and Madison 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% |
19.4%±4.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
23.1%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Madison and Strafford 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% |
40.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
37.9%Lowest 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% |
1.9%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Strafford 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. |
$122,105±$22k 51% above U.S. |
$102,697±$11kLowest 27% above U.S. |
| Norwich and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $637,500±$76kHighest 92% above U.S. |
$427,900±$29k 29% above U.S. |
$388,700±$36kLowest 17% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,460±$322Lowest 3% above U.S. |
$1,635±$246Highest 16% above U.S. |
$1,556±$256 10% above U.S. |
| Strafford and Madison 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. |
$6,086 95% above U.S. |
$4,074Lowest 31% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.7%±19.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
76.3%±30.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
69.2%±46 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Strafford and Madison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
93.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Lowest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1985Highest 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
1982Lowest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 19 minLowest 28% below U.S. |
36 minHighest 36% above U.S. |
22 min 16% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 21%±5.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
15.9%±5 U.S.: 15.1% |
8%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Norwich and Strafford 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 | #73 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Norwich School District | Strafford School District | Madison 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 |
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.