Compare towns

Sheffield vs Reading vs Wheelock

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sheffield has the youngest population (median age 42).
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Wheelock has the most homeowners (97.9%).

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.

MeasureSheffieldReadingWheelock
People
Population
573Lowest
699
717Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3%
VT: +2.8%
+3.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42±8Lowest
about the VT average
51.1±7.6Highest
19% above VT
51±5.6
18% above VT
Reading and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.1%±6.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.5%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wheelock and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.2%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
28.2%±3.3
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Wheelock and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
27.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
46%Highest
VT: 43.8%
34.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
3.1%±2.5
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Sheffield and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$58,333±$26kLowest
28% below VT
$85,000±$19kHighest
5% above VT
$64,792±$20k
20% below VT
Reading and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$171,900±$50kLowest
46% below VT
$377,200±$72kHighest
19% above VT
$189,600±$37k
40% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$967±$79Lowest
22% below VT
$1,100±$331Highest
11% below VT
—
Reading and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,123Lowest
58% below VT
$5,754Highest
14% above VT
$2,937
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
61.5%±41.2
VT: 48.4%
63.3%±31.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Reading and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.4%
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
84.9%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1987
11 yrs newer than VT
1969Lowest
7 yrs older than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
28% above VT
33 minHighest
41% above VT
28 minLowest
17% above VT
Work from home
6.1%±2.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
22.9%±10.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16
VT: 16.9%
Reading and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 —
High school 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.