Compare towns

Shoreham vs Barton vs Orwell

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Shoreham has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.4%).
Barton has the most affordable homes ($147k median).
Orwell has the most homeowners (87.3%).

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.

MeasureShorehamBartonOrwell
People
Population
1,269
730Lowest
1,294Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-0.9%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
51.8±7.2Highest
20% above VT
40±5.5Lowest
7% below VT
47.5±7
10% above VT
Shoreham and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18%±4.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
24.1%±5.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
21.8%±5.4
VT: 17.9%
Barton and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.1%±3.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
21.2%±4.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
24%±3.1
VT: 21.4%
Shoreham and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
36.2%Highest
VT: 43.8%
21.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
22.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.7%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
1.9%±1.6
VT: 7%
3.6%±1.9Highest
VT: 7%
Orwell and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$93,654±$23kHighest
15% above VT
$40,833±$8kLowest
50% below VT
$70,417±$22k
13% below VT
Shoreham and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$316,400±$34k
about the VT average
$146,900±$30kLowest
54% below VT
$335,600±$25kHighest
6% above VT
Orwell and Shoreham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,306±$335Highest
6% above VT
$761±$150Lowest
38% below VT
$1,105±$51
10% below VT
Shoreham and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,713Highest
6% below VT
$3,185Lowest
37% below VT
$3,914
22% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
33.3%±48.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
58.8%±18.2
VT: 48.4%
62.1%±35.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
Orwell and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.3%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
25.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
10.8%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.9%
VT: 73.2%
52.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
87.3%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1945Lowest
31 yrs older than VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
11% above VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
27 min
15% above VT
Work from home
15.9%±5.2
VT: 16.9%
16.5%±10.4Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.3%±7.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Barton and Shoreham 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 — #38 of 70 in VT —
School district Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 — Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62
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.