Compare towns
Sharon vs Mapleton vs Barnet vs Norwich
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Barnet has the oldest population (median age 47.7).
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 | Mapleton | Barnet | Norwich |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,577Lowest |
1,884 |
1,855 |
3,640Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.6±7.7 17% above U.S. |
41.8±6 7% above U.S. |
47.7±5.3Highest 23% above U.S. |
40.8±3.2Lowest 5% above U.S. |
| Barnet and Sharon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21%±5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1 U.S.: 22% |
21.6%±4.9 U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Norwich and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 25.1%±3.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
28.8%±3.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
16%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Barnet and Sharon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 37.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
35.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
81%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.5%±0.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±2.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Mapleton and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $84,375±$17k 5% above U.S. |
$91,731±$25k 14% above U.S. |
$67,386±$15kLowest 17% below U.S. |
$140,313±$12kHighest 74% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $346,700±$37k 4% above U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$247,900±$24k 25% below U.S. |
$637,500±$76kHighest 92% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,386±$155 about the U.S. average |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
$974±$72 31% below U.S. |
$1,460±$322Highest 3% above U.S. |
| 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 89% above U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$4,489 44% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 19.8%±17.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
59.3%±29.9Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
30.7%±19.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Barnet and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
71.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min about the U.S. average |
28 minHighest 5% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
19 minLowest 28% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 12.7%±3.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.3%±4.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
21%±5.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Norwich and Barnet 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 | — | — | — | #1 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Sharon School District | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78 | Norwich School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.