Compare towns

Strafford vs Sutton vs Townshend

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 expensive homes ($431k median).
Sutton has the most affordable homes ($231k median).
Townshend has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).

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.

MeasureStraffordSuttonTownshend
People
Population
1,372
790Lowest
1,538Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.4%
VT: +2.8%
-11.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+4.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
51.4±4.7
19% above VT
46.6±5.7Lowest
8% above VT
55.6±9.6Highest
29% above VT
Townshend 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%
17.3%±3.4
VT: 17.9%
12%±2.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Strafford and Sutton 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%
21.6%±2.7
VT: 21.4%
19.3%±6.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Strafford and Sutton 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%
32.8%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
52.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.8
VT: 7%
1.4%±0.8Lowest
VT: 7%
Strafford and Sutton 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
$71,250±$18kLowest
12% below VT
$78,750±$29k
3% below VT
Strafford and Townshend 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
$231,100±$41kLowest
27% below VT
$287,200±$79k
9% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,125±$789Highest
9% below VT
—
$1,074±$80Lowest
13% below VT
Strafford and Townshend 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
$3,975Lowest
21% below VT
$5,364
6% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.6%±48
VT: 48.4%
37.8%±31.1Lowest
VT: 48.4%
72.5%±23.1Highest
VT: 48.4%
Townshend 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%
12.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
85%
VT: 73.2%
82.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1979Lowest
3 yrs newer than VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
about the VT average
30 minHighest
26% above VT
25 min
6% above VT
Work from home
16.1%±4.3
VT: 16.9%
11.6%±5.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
28%±18.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Townshend and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Strafford School District Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 West River Valley Union Education District #72B · West River Valley Union Education District #72A
High school in town None in town None in town Leland & Gray Union Middle & High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
8.1
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.