Compare towns

Sharon vs Sheffield 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).
Sheffield has the most affordable homes ($172k 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.

MeasureSharonSheffieldNorwich
People
Population
1,577
573Lowest
3,640Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.9%
VT: +2.8%
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+5.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.6±7.7Highest
6% above VT
42±8
about the VT average
40.8±3.2Lowest
5% below VT
Sharon and Sheffield 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%
17.1%±6.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
24%±5.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
Norwich and Sharon 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%
19.2%±4
VT: 21.4%
16%±3.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Sharon and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.9%
VT: 43.8%
27.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
81%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.5%±0.9Lowest
VT: 7%
5.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
4.8%±2.4
VT: 7%
Sheffield 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
4% above VT
$58,333±$26kLowest
28% below VT
$140,313±$12kHighest
73% above VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$346,700±$37k
10% above VT
$171,900±$50kLowest
46% below VT
$637,500±$76kHighest
101% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,386±$155
12% above VT
$967±$79Lowest
22% 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
$2,123Lowest
58% below VT
$10,000+Highest
at least 98% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
19.8%±17.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
61.5%±41.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
30.7%±19.9
VT: 48.4%
Sheffield 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%
6.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
2.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.7%
VT: 73.2%
83.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
71.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Lowest
5 yrs newer than VT
1987Highest
11 yrs newer than VT
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 min
12% above VT
30 minHighest
28% above VT
19 minLowest
19% below VT
Work from home
12.7%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
6.1%±2.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
21%±5.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
Norwich and Sharon 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 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 Norwich School District
High school in town None 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.