Compare towns

Richmond vs Strafford vs Stowe

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Richmond has the youngest population (median age 43.7).
Strafford has the most homeowners (88.9%).
Stowe has grown the fastest since 2010 (+21.1%).

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.

MeasureRichmondStraffordStowe
People
Population
4,159
1,372Lowest
5,285Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.1%
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+21.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
43.7±5.6Lowest
about the VT average
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
46.3±7.6
7% above VT
Strafford and Stowe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.5%±5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
22.5%±4.6
VT: 17.9%
Strafford and Stowe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.5%±6.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.1%±3.4
VT: 21.4%
25.8%±6.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
Stowe and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
59.1%
VT: 43.8%
53.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
66.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±1.7
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
1.6%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
Strafford and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$108,235±$24k
33% above VT
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
$93,618±$33kLowest
15% above VT
Strafford and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$432,200±$39k
37% above VT
$431,300±$40kLowest
36% above VT
$647,800±$157kHighest
105% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,125±$789Lowest
9% below VT
$1,458±$242Highest
18% above VT
Stowe and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,868Lowest
36% above VT
$7,149
42% above VT
$7,161Highest
42% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
28.5%±15.8
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48Highest
VT: 48.4%
24.5%±15.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Strafford and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
5.2%
VT: 10.1%
9.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
78.8%
VT: 73.2%
88.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
78.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minHighest
6% above VT
23 min
about the VT average
19 minLowest
18% below VT
Work from home
22.5%±6.1
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
24.4%±8.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
Stowe and Richmond 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 #5 of 70 in VT — —
School district Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 Strafford School District Stowe Town School District
High school in town None in town None in town Stowe High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
11.3
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.