Compare towns

Plainfield vs Danby vs Sheldon

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Plainfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).

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.

MeasurePlainfieldDanbySheldon
People
Population
1,314
1,133Lowest
2,267Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.1%
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
48.1±5.5
12% above VT
52.6±4.8Highest
22% above VT
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% below VT
Danby and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.3%±4.7
VT: 17.9%
14.6%±3.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Sheldon and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±3.5
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±2.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Danby and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.2%Highest
VT: 43.8%
34.8%
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.1%±1.3
VT: 7%
2.5%±1.9Highest
VT: 7%
2%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Danby and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$69,250±$31kLowest
15% below VT
$77,321±$13k
5% below VT
$78,533±$25kHighest
3% below VT
Sheldon and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$318,400±$34kHighest
about the VT average
$272,400±$41kLowest
14% below VT
$272,400±$61kLowest
14% below VT
Plainfield and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,153±$103
7% below VT
$794±$166Lowest
36% below VT
$1,286±$379Highest
4% above VT
Sheldon and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,806Highest
5% below VT
$4,543
10% below VT
$3,578Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
73.2%±53.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
41.4%±34.6
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Plainfield and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
9.4%
VT: 10.1%
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
89.3%Highest
VT: 73.2%
89%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1955Lowest
21 yrs older than VT
1981
5 yrs newer than VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
about the VT average
30 minHighest
26% above VT
25 min
7% above VT
Work from home
16.4%±4.4Highest
VT: 16.9%
12.1%±5.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
Plainfield and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
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.