Compare towns

Poultney vs Strafford vs Hancock

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Poultney has the youngest population (median age 28.2).
Strafford has the most expensive homes ($431k median).
Hancock has the most affordable homes ($188k median).

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.

MeasurePoultneyStraffordHancock
People
Population
1,033
1,372Highest
435Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-33.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
—
Median age
28.2±4.5Lowest
35% below VT
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
33.8±11.6
22% below VT
Kids under 18
16.8%±5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
17.2%±5.8
VT: 17.9%
Strafford and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±6.6
VT: 21.4%
22.1%±3.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.8%±3.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Strafford and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
38.4%
VT: 43.8%
53.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
34.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
22.1%±3.3Highest
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6
VT: 7%
3.7%±3.6Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$70,536±$11kLowest
13% below VT
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
$76,250±$34k
6% below VT
Strafford and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$196,600±$43k
38% below VT
$431,300±$40kHighest
36% above VT
$187,900±$11kLowest
41% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$868±$113Lowest
30% below VT
$1,125±$789Highest
9% below VT
$939±$19
24% below VT
Strafford and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,450Lowest
32% below VT
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
$3,511
30% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
23.2%±12.4
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48Highest
VT: 48.4%
3.5%±16.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Strafford and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
5.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
56.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
88.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
59.5%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1972
4 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
33% above VT
23 minLowest
about the VT average
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
11.3%±3.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
11.7%±5
VT: 16.9%
Strafford and Hancock 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 #41 of 70 in VT — —
School district — Strafford School District —
High school 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.