Compare towns
Thetford vs Ira vs Strafford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Thetford has the youngest population (median age 43.6).
Ira has the most affordable homes ($273k median).
Strafford has the most kids (23% under 18).
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.
| Measure | Thetford | Ira | Strafford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,813Highest |
381Lowest |
1,372 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
— | -0.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.6±6.2Lowest about the VT average |
54.1±5.5Highest 26% above VT |
51.4±4.7 19% above VT |
| Ira and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.4%±4.8 VT: 17.9% |
10.5%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Strafford and Thetford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 20.8%±6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
28.9%±3.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.1%±3.4 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 68%Highest VT: 43.8% |
37.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
53.3% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.7%±4.5Highest VT: 7% |
3.4%±3.5Lowest VT: 7% |
5.1%±2.6 VT: 7% |
| Thetford and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $88,045±$16k 8% above VT |
$71,827±$5kLowest 12% below VT |
$110,833±$19kHighest 36% above VT |
| Strafford and Thetford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $329,500±$96k 4% above VT |
$272,900±$18kLowest 14% below VT |
$431,300±$40kHighest 36% above VT |
| Strafford and Thetford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,141±$96Highest 8% below VT |
$942±$52Lowest 24% below VT |
$1,125±$789 9% below VT |
| Thetford and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,948 38% above VT |
$4,146Lowest 18% below VT |
$7,149Highest 42% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49.7%±30.1Highest VT: 48.4% |
36.4%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±48 VT: 48.4% |
| Thetford and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8% VT: 10.1% |
14.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
88.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest 4% below VT |
28 minHighest 20% above VT |
23 min about the VT average |
| Work from home | 13.6%±6.3 VT: 16.9% |
2.3%±2.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.1%±4.3Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Strafford and Thetford 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 | #40 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Thetford School District | — | Strafford School District |
| 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.