Compare towns

Rochester vs Wheelock vs Newfane

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Rochester has the most people working from home (40.8%).
Wheelock has the most kids (18.8% under 18).
Newfane has the most expensive homes ($284k 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.

MeasureRochesterWheelockNewfane
People
Population
1,389
717Lowest
1,456Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-4.7%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
53.3±7.6
24% above VT
51±5.6Lowest
18% above VT
54.4±3.9Highest
26% above VT
Newfane and Rochester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
10.4%±3.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
11.1%±3.7
VT: 17.9%
Age 65+
31.5%±3.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7
VT: 21.4%
29.2%±3.9Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Rochester and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
49%Highest
VT: 43.8%
34.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
46.5%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.4%±0.6Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3Highest
VT: 7%
2.4%±2.1
VT: 7%
Wheelock and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$72,676±$8kHighest
11% below VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
$66,719±$21k
18% below VT
Rochester and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$253,600±$81k
20% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
$284,200±$49kHighest
10% below VT
Newfane and Rochester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$929±$158Lowest
25% below VT
—
$1,266±$238Highest
about the VT average
Newfane and Rochester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,977
21% below VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
$5,174Highest
about the VT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
62.4%±27.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
51.9%±79.7
VT: 48.4%
Rochester and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
18.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
10.9%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
87.2%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967Lowest
9 yrs older than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
1971
5 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
17% above VT
28 minHighest
17% above VT
27 minLowest
13% above VT
Work from home
40.8%±27.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16Lowest
VT: 16.9%
30.8%±12.5
VT: 16.9%
Rochester and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Rochester Stockbridge Unified School District #81 — West River Valley Union Education District #72A
High school 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.