Compare towns

Strafford vs Westfield vs Mendon

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).
Westfield has the most kids (27.1% under 18).
Mendon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.5%).

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.

MeasureStraffordWestfieldMendon
People
Population
1,372Highest
536Lowest
1,113
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+8.5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
51.4±4.7
19% above VT
44±19.9Lowest
about the VT average
53.4±10.5Highest
24% above VT
Mendon and Strafford 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%
27.1%±5.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
14.6%±5.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Westfield and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.1%±3.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.7%±11.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
29%±1.3
VT: 21.4%
Westfield and Mendon 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%
27.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
49.4%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
3.2%±2.5
VT: 7%
3.1%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
Strafford and Westfield 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
$72,500±$30kLowest
11% below VT
$100,524±$23k
24% above VT
Strafford and Mendon 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
$301,400±$47kLowest
5% below VT
$357,000±$44k
13% above VT
Strafford and Mendon 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
$863±$187Lowest
30% below VT
$1,230±$651Highest
about the VT average
Mendon 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
$4,388Lowest
13% below VT
$5,342
6% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.6%±48Lowest
VT: 48.4%
66.7%±71.3
VT: 48.4%
88.6%±42.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
Mendon and Westfield 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%
12.1%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.2%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
91.7%
VT: 73.2%
92.2%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
1977
1 yr newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 min
about the VT average
30 minHighest
29% above VT
17 minLowest
28% below VT
Work from home
16.1%±4.3
VT: 16.9%
14.4%±6.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
22.5%±8.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
Mendon 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 — —
High school 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.