Compare towns

Strafford vs North Hero 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 the most kids (23% under 18).
North Hero has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.9%).
Chittenden has the most affordable homes ($347k 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.

MeasureStraffordNorth HeroChittenden
People
Population
1,372Highest
1,263Lowest
1,318
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.4%
VT: +2.8%
+16.9%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
51.4±4.7
19% above VT
54.2±6.7Highest
26% above VT
50.8±6.3Lowest
18% above VT
North Hero and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
16.8%±4.1
VT: 17.9%
13.8%±2.5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Strafford and North Hero 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%
27.3%±4Highest
VT: 21.4%
21.8%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
North Hero and Strafford 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%
47.4%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
51.5%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±2.6
VT: 7%
5.5%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
3.8%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
North Hero and Strafford 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
$102,143±$24kLowest
26% above 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±$40k
36% above VT
$451,400±$66kHighest
43% above VT
$346,800±$35kLowest
10% above VT
North Hero and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,125±$789Lowest
9% below VT
$1,556±$360Highest
26% above VT
$1,125±$488Lowest
9% below VT
North Hero 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
$5,132Lowest
about the VT average
$5,346
6% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.6%±48
VT: 48.4%
56.3%±98.1Highest
VT: 48.4%
14.8%±55.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
North Hero 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%
7.3%Highest
VT: 10.1%
6.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
96.3%Highest
VT: 73.2%
93.5%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
about the VT average
30 minHighest
28% above VT
28 min
21% above VT
Work from home
16.1%±4.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
15.4%±8.8
VT: 16.9%
15%±3.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Strafford and North Hero are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Strafford School District Champlain Islands Unified Union School District #66 Barstow Unified Union School District #49
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.