Compare towns
Sheldon vs Wolfeboro vs Fairfield vs Highgate
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Sheldon has the youngest population (median age 40.9).
Wolfeboro has the most expensive homes ($547k median).
Fairfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.1%).
Highgate has the oldest housing (typical home built 1980).
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 | Wolfeboro | Fairfield | Highgate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,267 |
6,571Highest |
1,938Lowest |
3,528 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+8.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-1.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 40.9±3.5Lowest 5% above U.S. |
57±1.8Highest 47% above U.S. |
42.3±2.7 9% above U.S. |
44±7.4 13% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 23.7%±3.6 U.S.: 22% |
13.7%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
25.4%±5Highest U.S.: 22% |
15.8%±5.3 U.S.: 22% |
| Fairfield 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 U.S.: 17.2% |
34.6%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
14.3%±1.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
22.2%±5.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 14.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
45%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
30.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
19.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.5%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.6%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Fairfield and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $78,533±$25kLowest about the U.S. average |
$94,375±$22kHighest 17% above U.S. |
$87,019±$22k 8% above U.S. |
$81,017±$14k about the U.S. average |
| Wolfeboro and Fairfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $272,400±$61kLowest 18% below U.S. |
$546,500±$60kHighest 64% above U.S. |
$320,600±$22k 4% below U.S. |
$280,500±$21k 16% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,286±$379Highest 9% below U.S. |
$1,103±$76 22% below U.S. |
$1,056±$441 25% below U.S. |
$895±$691Lowest 37% below U.S. |
| Sheldon and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,578 15% above U.S. |
$4,531 45% above U.S. |
$4,816Highest 54% above U.S. |
$3,558Lowest 14% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±27Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
12%±11.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
29.2%±20.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
30.5%±11.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Highgate and Fairfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.1% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
78.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
80.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
1982 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1984Highest 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
1980Lowest same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 5% below U.S. |
24 minLowest 10% below U.S. |
24 min 8% below U.S. |
31 minHighest 17% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 13%±3.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
22.9%±6.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
7.8%±3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.9%±7.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Wolfeboro and Highgate 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 | — | #46 of 120 in NH | — | #43 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Governor Wentworth Regional School District | Maple Run Unified Union School District #57 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 |
| High school in town | None in town | Kingswood Regional High School | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.1Highest |
— | 9.8Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.