Compare towns

Ryegate vs Sheldon vs Franklin

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ryegate has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.8%).
Sheldon has the most expensive homes ($272k median).
Franklin has the most people working from home (18.1%).

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.

MeasureRyegateSheldonFranklin
People
Population
1,059Lowest
2,267Highest
1,590
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%
VT: +2.8%
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
41.2±2.6Highest
4% below VT
40.9±3.5
5% below VT
38.8±6.9Lowest
10% below VT
Ryegate and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.2%±4.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
23.5%±5.6
VT: 17.9%
Sheldon and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.1%±1.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
15.3%±1.4
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
29.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
21.7%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.4%±1.4
VT: 7%
2%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
7.5%±3.1Highest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$66,484±$15kLowest
18% below VT
$78,533±$25k
3% below VT
$79,917±$21kHighest
about the VT average
Franklin and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$219,300±$32kLowest
31% below VT
$272,400±$61kHighest
14% below VT
$247,400±$66k
22% below VT
Sheldon and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$908±$236
26% below VT
$1,286±$379Highest
4% above VT
$891±$266Lowest
28% below VT
Sheldon and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,472
31% below VT
$3,578Highest
29% below VT
$3,384Lowest
33% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
55.9%±29.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
45.5%±42.2
VT: 48.4%
Ryegate and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
14.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.7%
VT: 73.2%
89%Highest
VT: 73.2%
74.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1949Lowest
27 yrs older than VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
1983
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minHighest
18% above VT
25 minLowest
7% above VT
25 min
8% above VT
Work from home
8.2%±3.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
18.1%±4.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Franklin and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 Missisquoi Valley School District #89
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.