Compare towns

Sharon vs Gorham vs Royalton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sharon has the oldest population (median age 45.6).
Gorham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.9%).
Royalton has the most affordable homes ($263k 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.

MeasureSharonGorhamRoyalton
People
Population
1,577Lowest
18,300Highest
2,752
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
+11.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.6±7.7Highest
17% above U.S.
39.4±2.9Lowest
about the U.S. average
43.9±10.1
13% above U.S.
Sharon and Royalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21%±5Highest
U.S.: 22%
20.9%±3.5
U.S.: 22%
14.4%±5.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Sharon and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
25.1%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.5%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.1%±6.4
U.S.: 17.2%
Sharon and Royalton 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
U.S.: 35.7%
44.3%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
42.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.5%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
13.1%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
8%±4.2
U.S.: 6.4%
Gorham and Royalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$84,375±$17kLowest
5% above U.S.
$112,312±$6kHighest
39% above U.S.
$103,938±$24k
29% above U.S.
Gorham and Royalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$346,700±$37k
4% above U.S.
$460,900±$26kHighest
39% above U.S.
$263,200±$73kLowest
21% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,386±$155
about the U.S. average
$1,680±$355Highest
19% above U.S.
$1,040±$391Lowest
26% below U.S.
Gorham and Sharon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,903Highest
89% above U.S.
$4,825
55% above U.S.
$4,675Lowest
50% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
19.8%±17.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
37.9%±8.6Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
36.7%±16.1
U.S.: 51.1%
Gorham and Royalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
13%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
81.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
63.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1965Lowest
15 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 min
about the U.S. average
27 minHighest
about the U.S. average
20 minLowest
23% below U.S.
Work from home
12.7%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
19%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
17.8%±7.3
U.S.: 15.1%
Gorham and Royalton 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 — #24 of 133 in ME #48 of 70 in VT
School district Sharon School District Gorham Public Schools White River Unified School District #79
High school in town None in town Gorham High School White River Valley High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.9Highest
8.7Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.