Compare towns

Stratton vs Brighton vs Belvidere vs Hancock

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Stratton has the most expensive homes ($400k median).
Brighton has the most renters (48.9% rent).
Belvidere has the most homeowners (86.1%).
Hancock has the shortest commute (28 min average).

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.

MeasureStrattonBrightonBelvidereHancock
People
Population
532
1,167Highest
422Lowest
435
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-5.3%
VT: +2.8%
— —
Median age
31.5±4.1Lowest
27% below VT
45.2±11.6Highest
5% above VT
40.7±6.5
6% below VT
33.8±11.6
22% below VT
Brighton and Belvidere are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
28%±7.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
18.3%±5.7
VT: 17.9%
22%±4
VT: 17.9%
17.2%±5.8Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Stratton and Belvidere are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
11.7%±4
VT: 21.4%
27.2%±4.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
8.8%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
19.8%±3.6
VT: 21.4%
Brighton and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
33.2%
VT: 43.8%
25.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
35.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
34.3%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.3%±2.8Lowest
VT: 7%
4.6%±2.4Highest
VT: 7%
1.4%±1.3
VT: 7%
3.7%±3.6
VT: 7%
Brighton and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$122,708±$33kHighest
51% above VT
$47,375±$21kLowest
42% below VT
$81,563±$18k
about the VT average
$76,250±$34k
6% below VT
Stratton and Belvidere are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$400,000±$50kHighest
26% above VT
$163,900±$39kLowest
48% below VT
$239,200±$51k
24% below VT
$187,900±$11k
41% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,208±$979
about the VT average
$775±$33Lowest
37% below VT
$1,542±$1kHighest
25% above VT
$939±$19
24% below VT
Belvidere and Stratton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,750Highest
6% below VT
$3,360Lowest
33% below VT
$3,908
22% below VT
$3,511
30% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
12%±69.8
VT: 48.4%
55%±17
VT: 48.4%
66.7%±53.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
3.5%±16.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Belvidere and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
0%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
22%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.5%
VT: 10.1%
5.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.3%
VT: 73.2%
51.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
86.1%Highest
VT: 73.2%
59.5%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988
12 yrs newer than VT
1967Lowest
9 yrs older than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
1972
4 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 min
39% above VT
33 min
41% above VT
38 minHighest
60% above VT
28 minLowest
17% above VT
Work from home
3.3%±3.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
12.4%±8.1Highest
VT: 16.9%
9.4%±7.6
VT: 16.9%
11.7%±5
VT: 16.9%
Brighton and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Brighton School District — —
High school in town — None in town — —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.