Compare towns
Sheldon vs Berkshire vs Bakersfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Sheldon has grown the fastest since 2010 (-2.5%).
Berkshire has the youngest population (median age 31.6).
Bakersfield has the oldest population (median age 46.4).
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 | Sheldon | Berkshire | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,267Highest |
1,745 |
1,109Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-8.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-3.7% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 40.9±3.5 5% below VT |
31.6±6.9Lowest 27% below VT |
46.4±8Highest 8% above VT |
| Bakersfield and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
27.2%±4.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
13.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Berkshire and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
14.8%±2.3 VT: 21.4% |
21.2%±3.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
22% VT: 43.8% |
39.2%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
3.8%±2.3 VT: 7% |
7.5%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Bakersfield and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $78,533±$25k 3% below VT |
$71,406±$21kLowest 12% below VT |
$83,462±$18kHighest about the VT average |
| Bakersfield and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $272,400±$61kHighest 14% below VT |
$244,600±$26kLowest 23% below VT |
$271,300±$19k 14% below VT |
| Sheldon and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,286±$379 4% above VT |
$1,525±$267Highest 24% above VT |
$1,200±$327Lowest about the VT average |
| Berkshire and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,578 29% below VT |
$3,545Lowest 30% below VT |
$3,823Highest 24% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
57.4%±52.6Highest VT: 48.4% |
18.8%±100 VT: 48.4% |
| Berkshire and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
14.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89% VT: 73.2% |
77.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
94%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1979Lowest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 7% above VT |
32 min 37% above VT |
33 minHighest 40% above VT |
| Work from home | 13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±5.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.2%±7Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Bakersfield and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 |
| 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.