Compare towns
Sheldon vs Strafford vs Ripton vs Irasburg
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Strafford has the most expensive homes ($431k median).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Irasburg has the most affordable homes ($231k 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 | Sheldon | Strafford | Ripton | Irasburg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,267Highest |
1,372 |
508Lowest |
1,384 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.4% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+6% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 40.9±3.5 5% below VT |
51.4±4.7Highest 19% above VT |
47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
40.3±5.3Lowest 6% below VT |
| Strafford and Ripton 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% |
23%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
24.4%±3Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Irasburg 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% |
22.1%±3.4 VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2 VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
53.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
48% VT: 43.8% |
23.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
5.1%±2.6 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
3%±2.5 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $78,533±$25kLowest 3% below VT |
$110,833±$19k 36% above VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$98,534±$13k 21% above VT |
| Ripton and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
$431,300±$40kHighest 36% above VT |
$394,400±$61k 25% above VT |
$230,800±$22kLowest 27% below VT |
| Strafford and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
$1,125±$789 9% below VT |
— | $1,063±$86Lowest 14% below VT |
| Sheldon and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,578Lowest 29% below VT |
$7,149Highest 42% above VT |
$4,915 about the VT average |
$3,966 21% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±48 VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
17%±28.2 VT: 48.4% |
| Ripton and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.1% VT: 10.1% |
5.2% VT: 10.1% |
8.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89% VT: 73.2% |
88.9% VT: 73.2% |
90.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
86.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
1988Highest 12 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minHighest 7% above VT |
23 minLowest about the VT average |
24 min about the VT average |
24 min 3% above VT |
| Work from home | 13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
16.1%±4.3 VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
5.7%±2.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Ripton and Strafford 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 | Strafford School District | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Lake Region Union Elementary Middle 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 |
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.