Compare towns

Putney vs Vernon vs Sheldon

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Putney has the most people working from home (16.9%).
Vernon has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
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.

MeasurePutneyVernonSheldon
People
Population
2,622
2,709Highest
2,267Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-0.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
37.2±5.2Lowest
14% below VT
42.6±5.4Highest
about the VT average
40.9±3.5
5% below VT
Vernon and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.4%±4.1
VT: 17.9%
15.1%±3.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Age 65+
18.1%±3.8
VT: 21.4%
22.8%±2.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Vernon and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.6%Highest
VT: 43.8%
26.6%
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
20.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
3%±1.7
VT: 7%
2%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$79,706±$18k
about the VT average
$85,682±$9kHighest
6% above VT
$78,533±$25kLowest
3% below VT
Vernon and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$300,000±$44kHighest
5% below VT
$285,100±$25k
10% below VT
$272,400±$61kLowest
14% below VT
Putney and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$508±$482Lowest
59% below VT
$1,023±$214
17% below VT
$1,286±$379Highest
4% above VT
Sheldon and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,313Highest
5% above VT
$5,191
3% above VT
$3,578Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
54.2%±19.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
26.2%±3.7
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Below poverty line
16%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.5%
VT: 10.1%
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
72.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
76.2%
VT: 73.2%
89%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Lowest
1 yr newer than VT
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
18 minLowest
24% below VT
20 min
14% below VT
25 minHighest
7% above VT
Work from home
16.9%±6.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
6.4%±3.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
Putney and Sheldon 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 #32 of 70 in VT #30 of 70 in VT —
School district Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Vernon School District Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
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

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.