Compare towns

Richmond vs Strafford vs Thetford

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 most people working from home (22.5%).
Strafford has the oldest population (median age 51.4).
Thetford has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.2%).

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.

MeasureRichmondStraffordThetford
People
Population
4,159Highest
1,372Lowest
2,813
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.1%
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+7.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
43.7±5.6
about the VT average
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
43.6±6.2Lowest
about the VT average
Strafford and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.5%±5
VT: 17.9%
23%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.4%±4.8Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Strafford and Richmond 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%±3.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
20.8%±6
VT: 21.4%
Strafford and Thetford 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%
68%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±1.7Lowest
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6
VT: 7%
6.7%±4.5Highest
VT: 7%
Thetford and Strafford 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
$88,045±$16kLowest
8% 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±$39kHighest
37% above VT
$431,300±$40k
36% above VT
$329,500±$96kLowest
4% above VT
Richmond and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,125±$789Lowest
9% below VT
$1,141±$96Highest
8% below VT
Thetford 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
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
$6,948
38% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
28.5%±15.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48
VT: 48.4%
49.7%±30.1Highest
VT: 48.4%
Thetford and Strafford 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%
8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
78.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
88.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
84.1%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1978Lowest
2 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minHighest
6% above VT
23 min
about the VT average
23 minLowest
4% below VT
Work from home
22.5%±6.1Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3
VT: 16.9%
13.6%±6.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Richmond and Strafford 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 — #40 of 70 in VT
School district Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 Strafford School District Thetford School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
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.