Compare towns
Norwich vs Strafford vs East Montpelier
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Norwich has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Strafford has the oldest population (median age 51.4).
East Montpelier has the most affordable homes ($379k 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 | East Montpelier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,640Highest |
1,372Lowest |
2,612 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-0.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+0.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 40.8±3.2Lowest 5% below VT |
51.4±4.7Highest 19% above VT |
46.7±4 8% above VT |
| Strafford and East Montpelier 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% |
23%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
20.1%±4.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Norwich and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 16%±3.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.1%±3.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.1%±3.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81%Highest VT: 43.8% |
53.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
59.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.8%±2.4 VT: 7% |
5.1%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
3.8%±2Lowest VT: 7% |
| 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 73% above VT |
$110,833±$19k 36% above VT |
$92,778±$21kLowest 14% above VT |
| 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 101% above VT |
$431,300±$40k 36% above VT |
$378,700±$32kLowest 20% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,460±$322Highest 18% above VT |
$1,125±$789Lowest 9% below VT |
$1,187±$131 4% below VT |
| Norwich and East Montpelier 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 |
$7,149 42% above VT |
$5,868Lowest 16% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.7%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±48Highest VT: 48.4% |
19.3%±13.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Strafford and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.8% VT: 10.1% |
5.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
88.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
82.2% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Highest 6 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1978Lowest 2 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 19 minLowest 19% below VT |
23 minHighest about the VT average |
20 min 17% below VT |
| Work from home | 21%±5.3 VT: 16.9% |
16.1%±4.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
21.2%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
| East Montpelier and Norwich 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 | — | #15 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Norwich School District | Strafford School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | U-32 Middle & High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 10.3 |
| 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.