Compare towns

Orwell vs Sheffield vs Sutton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Orwell has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.9%).
Sheffield has the most affordable homes ($172k median).
Sutton has the highest household income ($71k).

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.

MeasureOrwellSheffieldSutton
People
Population
1,294Highest
573Lowest
790
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.9%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3%
VT: +2.8%
-11.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.5±7Highest
10% above VT
42±8Lowest
about the VT average
46.6±5.7
8% above VT
Orwell and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.8%±5.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
17.1%±6.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
17.3%±3.4
VT: 17.9%
Orwell and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24%±3.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.2%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
21.6%±2.7
VT: 21.4%
Orwell and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
22.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
27.1%
VT: 43.8%
32.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±1.9
VT: 7%
5.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.8Lowest
VT: 7%
Sheffield and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$70,417±$22k
13% below VT
$58,333±$26kLowest
28% below VT
$71,250±$18kHighest
12% below VT
Sutton and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$335,600±$25kHighest
6% above VT
$171,900±$50kLowest
46% below VT
$231,100±$41k
27% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,105±$51Highest
10% below VT
$967±$79Lowest
22% below VT
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,914
22% below VT
$2,123Lowest
58% below VT
$3,975Highest
21% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
62.1%±35.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
61.5%±41.2
VT: 48.4%
37.8%±31.1Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Orwell and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.8%
VT: 10.1%
6.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
12.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.3%Highest
VT: 73.2%
83.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
85%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
1987Highest
11 yrs newer than VT
1979Lowest
3 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minLowest
15% above VT
30 minHighest
28% above VT
30 min
26% above VT
Work from home
13.3%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
6.1%±2.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
11.6%±5.3
VT: 16.9%
Orwell and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64
High school in town None 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.