Compare towns
Sharon vs Barnard vs Randolph vs Norwich
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Sharon has the oldest population (median age 45.6).
Barnard has the most kids (26.9% under 18).
Randolph has the most affordable homes ($279k median).
Norwich has the most expensive homes ($638k 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.
| Measure | Sharon | Barnard | Randolph | Norwich |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,577 |
1,211Lowest |
4,843Highest |
3,640 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.9% VT: +2.8% |
+4.8% VT: +2.8% |
-0.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.6±7.7Highest 6% above VT |
42.4±6 about the VT average |
40.4±7.4Lowest 6% below VT |
40.8±3.2 5% below VT |
| Sharon and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21%±5 VT: 17.9% |
26.9%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
17.3%±4.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Barnard and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 25.1%±3.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
22%±3.6 VT: 21.4% |
22.9%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
16%±3.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Sharon and Randolph are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 37.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
55.3% VT: 43.8% |
40.8% VT: 43.8% |
81%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.5%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
2.4%±1.8 VT: 7% |
11.2%±2.5Highest VT: 7% |
4.8%±2.4 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $84,375±$17k 4% above VT |
$97,581±$19k 20% above VT |
$76,758±$6kLowest 5% below VT |
$140,313±$12kHighest 73% above VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $346,700±$37k 10% above VT |
$402,600±$71k 27% above VT |
$278,700±$38kLowest 12% below VT |
$637,500±$76kHighest 101% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,386±$155 12% above VT |
$1,372±$80 11% above VT |
$1,172±$173Lowest 5% below VT |
$1,460±$322Highest 18% above VT |
| Norwich and Sharon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,903 17% above VT |
$6,038 20% above VT |
$4,698Lowest 7% below VT |
$10,000+Highest at least 98% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 19.8%±17.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
27%±19.8 VT: 48.4% |
54.1%±17.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
30.7%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
| Randolph and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3% VT: 10.1% |
2.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.8% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79.7% VT: 73.2% |
85.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
67.2%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
71.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1971Lowest 5 yrs older than VT |
1971Lowest 5 yrs older than VT |
1982Highest 6 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 12% above VT |
29 minHighest 21% above VT |
21 min 12% below VT |
19 minLowest 19% below VT |
| Work from home | 12.7%±3.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
19.3%±10.8 VT: 16.9% |
12.9%±4.7 VT: 16.9% |
21%±5.3Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Norwich and Barnard 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 | — | — | #55 of 70 in VT | #1 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Sharon School District | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 | Norwich School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Randolph Union High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.4 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.