Compare towns
Plainfield vs Northfield vs Worcester vs Peacham
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%).
Northfield has the youngest population (median age 36.4).
Worcester has the most homeowners (85.9%).
Peacham has the most kids (20.7% 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.
| Measure | Plainfield | Northfield | Worcester | Peacham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,314 |
5,920Highest |
831Lowest |
887 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4% VT: +2.8% |
-2.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 48.1±5.5 12% above VT |
36.4±4.1Lowest 16% below VT |
47±2.7 9% above VT |
50.1±5.7Highest 16% above VT |
| Peacham 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%±3.7 VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20.7%±6Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Peacham 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% |
20%±3.8 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
33.6%±2.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.2% VT: 43.8% |
34.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
53%Highest VT: 43.8% |
48.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.1%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
15.1%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7 VT: 7% |
5.4%±4 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $69,250±$31kLowest 15% below VT |
$71,768±$13k 12% below VT |
$73,833±$18k 9% below VT |
$90,000±$28kHighest 11% above VT |
| Peacham and Worcester 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 |
$274,400±$21k 13% below VT |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$302,000±$64k 5% below VT |
| Plainfield and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,153±$103Highest 7% below VT |
$1,018±$207Lowest 18% below VT |
$1,023±$136 17% below VT |
$1,028±$248 17% below VT |
| Plainfield and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,806 5% below VT |
$4,878 3% below VT |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$5,605Highest 11% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 73.2%±53.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
63.3%±17.7 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
66.7%±17.7 VT: 48.4% |
| Plainfield and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 11.6% VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% VT: 73.2% |
73.5%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
76.1% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1956 20 yrs older than VT |
1976Highest same as VT |
1976Highest same as VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest about the VT average |
27 min 16% above VT |
29 min 22% above VT |
31 minHighest 31% above VT |
| Work from home | 16.4%±4.4 VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±4.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
24.2%±16.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Peacham and Worcester 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 | — | #42 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | — | Paine Mountain Union School District #68 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Peacham School District |
| High school in town | — | Northfield Middle/High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.0 |
— | — |
| 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.