Compare towns
Orwell vs Sheffield vs Sutton vs Orange
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 oldest housing (typical home built 1979).
Orange has the oldest population (median age 50.3).
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 | Orwell | Sheffield | Sutton | Orange |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,294Highest |
573Lowest |
790 |
957 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3% VT: +2.8% |
-11.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.2% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 47.5±7 10% above VT |
42±8Lowest about the VT average |
46.6±5.7 8% above VT |
50.3±5.3Highest 17% above VT |
| Orange and Orwell 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%±6.6 VT: 17.9% |
17.3%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
15.6%±4.7Lowest 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% |
19.4%±4 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% |
22.1%Lowest 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% |
2.4%±1.9 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±$18k 12% below VT |
$71,302±$13kHighest 12% below VT |
| Orange and Sutton 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 |
$222,000±$22k 30% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,105±$51 10% below VT |
$967±$79Lowest 22% below VT |
— | $1,330±$153Highest 8% above VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,914 22% below VT |
$2,123Lowest 58% below VT |
$3,975Highest 21% below VT |
$3,545 30% 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%±31.1 VT: 48.4% |
0%±87Lowest 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% |
7.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.3% VT: 73.2% |
83.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85% VT: 73.2% |
87.8%Highest 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 |
1981 5 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 |
28 min 19% above VT |
| Work from home | 13.3%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
6.1%±2.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
11.6%±5.3 VT: 16.9% |
13.5%±4.3Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Orange and Orwell 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 | Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.