Compare towns

Strafford vs Barton vs Chittenden

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Strafford has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.4%).
Barton has the most affordable homes ($147k median).
Chittenden has the most homeowners (93.5%).

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.

MeasureStraffordBartonChittenden
People
Population
1,372Highest
730Lowest
1,318
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-1.7%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
40±5.5Lowest
7% below VT
50.8±6.3
18% above VT
Strafford and Chittenden 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%
24.1%±5.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
13.8%±2.5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Barton and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.1%±3.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
21.2%±4.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
21.8%±4
VT: 21.4%
Strafford and Chittenden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
21.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
51.5%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
1.9%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
3.8%±1.6
VT: 7%
Strafford and Chittenden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
$40,833±$8kLowest
50% below VT
$106,250±$28k
31% above VT
Strafford and Chittenden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$431,300±$40kHighest
36% above VT
$146,900±$30kLowest
54% below VT
$346,800±$35k
10% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,125±$789Highest
9% below VT
$761±$150Lowest
38% below VT
$1,125±$488Highest
9% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
$3,185Lowest
37% below VT
$5,346
6% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.6%±48
VT: 48.4%
58.8%±18.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
14.8%±55.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Barton and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
25.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
6.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.9%
VT: 73.2%
52.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
93.5%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1945Lowest
31 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
about the VT average
31 minHighest
32% above VT
28 min
21% above VT
Work from home
16.1%±4.3
VT: 16.9%
16.5%±10.4Highest
VT: 16.9%
15%±3.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Barton and Strafford 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 Strafford School District — Barstow Unified Union School District #49
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.