Compare towns
Strafford vs Barnard vs Cavendish vs Cornwall
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 oldest population (median age 51.4).
Barnard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).
Cavendish has the most affordable homes ($285k median).
Cornwall has the most people working from home (24.4%).
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 | Strafford | Barnard | Cavendish | Cornwall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,372Highest |
1,211 |
1,242 |
1,208Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+4.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.8% VT: +2.8% |
+1.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.4±4.7Highest 19% above VT |
42.4±6Lowest about the VT average |
45.2±5.9 5% above VT |
50.4±4.6 17% above VT |
| Strafford and Cornwall are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 23%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
26.9%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
18.3%±4.8Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.7%±3 VT: 17.9% |
| Barnard and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.1%±3.4 VT: 21.4% |
22%±3.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
23.6%±2 VT: 21.4% |
25.7%±6.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Cornwall and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 53.3% VT: 43.8% |
55.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
39.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.7% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
2.4%±1.8Lowest VT: 7% |
4.3%±1.9 VT: 7% |
3.7%±3.1 VT: 7% |
| Strafford and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $110,833±$19k 36% above VT |
$97,581±$19k 20% above VT |
$89,063±$29kLowest 10% above VT |
$114,583±$32kHighest 41% above VT |
| Cornwall and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $431,300±$40k 36% above VT |
$402,600±$71k 27% above VT |
$285,100±$40kLowest 10% below VT |
$458,000±$49kHighest 45% above VT |
| Cornwall and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,125±$789 9% below VT |
$1,372±$80Highest 11% above VT |
$1,000±$546Lowest 19% below VT |
$1,125±$206 9% below VT |
| Barnard and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,149Highest 42% above VT |
$6,038 20% above VT |
$3,948Lowest 22% below VT |
$6,726 33% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.6%±48 VT: 48.4% |
27%±19.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
28.9%±27 VT: 48.4% |
61.9%±65.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Cornwall and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.2% VT: 10.1% |
2.6% VT: 10.1% |
6.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
0.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.9% VT: 73.2% |
85.4% VT: 73.2% |
81.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
94.3%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1971 5 yrs older than VT |
1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
1976 same as VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 23 min about the VT average |
29 minHighest 21% above VT |
19 minLowest 21% below VT |
24 min about the VT average |
| Work from home | 16.1%±4.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
19.3%±10.8 VT: 16.9% |
18.5%±6.6 VT: 16.9% |
24.4%±6.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Cornwall and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Strafford School District | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 |
| 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 | 18 photos → | 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.