Compare towns

Orleans vs Sutton vs Brighton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Orleans has grown the fastest since 2010 (-3.7%).
Sutton has the most expensive homes ($231k median).
Brighton has the most renters (48.9% rent).

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.

MeasureOrleansSuttonBrighton
People
Population
809
790Lowest
1,167Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-11.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-5.3%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
41.7±5.8Lowest
3% below VT
46.6±5.7Highest
8% above VT
45.2±11.6
5% above VT
Sutton and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.9%±4.5
VT: 17.9%
17.3%±3.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.3%±5.7Highest
VT: 17.9%
Brighton and Orleans are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.7%±3.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
21.6%±2.7
VT: 21.4%
27.2%±4.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
Brighton and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
24.8%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
32.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
25.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.7%±2.1
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.8Lowest
VT: 7%
4.6%±2.4Highest
VT: 7%
Brighton and Orleans are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$57,159±$10k
30% below VT
$71,250±$18kHighest
12% below VT
$47,375±$21kLowest
42% below VT
Sutton and Orleans are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$156,300±$18kLowest
51% below VT
$231,100±$41kHighest
27% below VT
$163,900±$39k
48% below VT
Sutton and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$810±$94Highest
34% below VT
—
$775±$33Lowest
37% below VT
Orleans and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,019Lowest
40% below VT
$3,975Highest
21% below VT
$3,360
33% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
27.3%±17.2Lowest
VT: 48.4%
37.8%±31.1
VT: 48.4%
55%±17Highest
VT: 48.4%
Brighton and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
12.4%
VT: 10.1%
22%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
64.1%
VT: 73.2%
85%Highest
VT: 73.2%
51.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1979Highest
3 yrs newer than VT
1967
9 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
33% above VT
30 minLowest
26% above VT
33 minHighest
41% above VT
Work from home
8.3%±3.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
11.6%±5.3
VT: 16.9%
12.4%±8.1Highest
VT: 16.9%
Brighton and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 Brighton School District
High school in town — None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.