Compare towns

Sharon vs Strafford vs Unity

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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.9%).
Strafford has the most people working from home (16.1%).
Unity has the most affordable homes ($276k 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.

MeasureSharonStraffordUnity
People
Population
1,577Highest
1,372Lowest
1,375
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
-9.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.6±7.7Lowest
17% above U.S.
51.4±4.7
32% above U.S.
58±4.5Highest
49% above U.S.
Unity and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21%±5
U.S.: 22%
23%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
12%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Strafford and Sharon 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%
22.1%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
34.9%±7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Unity 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%
53.3%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
21.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.5%±0.9
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1%±0.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$84,375±$17kLowest
5% above U.S.
$110,833±$19kHighest
37% above U.S.
$87,500±$16k
8% above U.S.
Strafford and Unity 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.
$431,300±$40kHighest
30% above U.S.
$276,100±$29kLowest
17% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,386±$155
about the U.S. average
$1,125±$789Lowest
20% below U.S.
$1,625±$804Highest
15% above U.S.
Unity 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.
$7,149Highest
129% above U.S.
$5,394Lowest
73% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
19.8%±17.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.6%±48Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
40%±100
U.S.: 51.1%
Strafford and Unity 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%
5.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
6.3%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
88.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
94.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
1980Lowest
same as U.S.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 min
about the U.S. average
23 minLowest
13% below U.S.
35 minHighest
32% above U.S.
Work from home
12.7%±3.7
U.S.: 15.1%
16.1%±4.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
9.5%±4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Strafford and Sharon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Sharon School District Strafford School District Unity 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

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.