Compare towns
Plainfield vs Worcester vs Fairlee 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 the most expensive homes ($318k median).
Worcester has the most homeowners (85.9%).
Fairlee has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.1%).
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 | Worcester | Fairlee | Peacham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,314Highest |
831Lowest |
1,066 |
887 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.6% VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+1.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 48.1±5.5 12% above VT |
47±2.7Lowest 9% above VT |
56.2±8.7Highest 30% above VT |
50.1±5.7 16% above VT |
| Fairlee and Peacham 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% |
12.8%±3.9 VT: 17.9% |
12.2%±4.2Lowest 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% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
33.4%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
33.6%±2.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Peacham and Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.2% VT: 43.8% |
53%Highest VT: 43.8% |
46.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.1%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
5.3%±3.7 VT: 7% |
5.4%±4 VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Peacham 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 |
$73,833±$18k 9% below VT |
$74,760±$10k 8% below VT |
$90,000±$28kHighest 11% above VT |
| Peacham and Fairlee 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 |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$274,200±$39k 13% 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 |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
$1,083±$242 12% below VT |
$1,028±$248 17% below VT |
| Plainfield and Fairlee 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 |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$5,617Highest 11% above VT |
$5,605 11% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 73.2%±53.9 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
89.2%±71.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
66.7%±17.7 VT: 48.4% |
| Fairlee and Plainfield 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% |
5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
14.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
10.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
76.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1976Highest same as VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
1976Highest same as VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest about the VT average |
29 min 22% above VT |
24 min 3% above VT |
31 minHighest 31% above VT |
| Work from home | 16.4%±4.4 VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
15%±7.9Lowest 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 | ||||
| School district | — | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Rivendell Interstate School District | Peacham School District |
| 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 | 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.