Compare towns
Topsham vs Sheffield vs Washington
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Topsham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.2%).
Sheffield has the most affordable homes ($172k median).
Washington has the oldest population (median age 52.9).
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 | Topsham | Sheffield | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 999 |
573Lowest |
1,056Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.7% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.1±5.9 16% above VT |
42±8Lowest about the VT average |
52.9±5.1Highest 23% above VT |
| Washington and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 18%±3.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
17.1%±6.6 VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±4.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Topsham and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 23.2%±4.8 VT: 21.4% |
19.2%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
24.3%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Washington and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.1% VT: 43.8% |
27.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
31%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.7%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
5.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
2.7%±2 VT: 7% |
| Sheffield and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $72,308±$60kHighest 11% below VT |
$58,333±$26kLowest 28% below VT |
$66,103±$8k 19% below VT |
| Topsham and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $222,900±$56kHighest 30% below VT |
$171,900±$50kLowest 46% below VT |
$217,700±$37k 31% below VT |
| Topsham and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $908±$398Lowest 26% below VT |
$967±$79 22% below VT |
$996±$285Highest 19% below VT |
| Washington and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,006Highest 21% below VT |
$2,123Lowest 58% below VT |
$3,485 31% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 91.9%±28.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
61.5%±41.2 VT: 48.4% |
34.5%±63.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Topsham and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 18.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
6.6% VT: 10.1% |
3.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.3% VT: 73.2% |
83.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
94.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1987Highest 11 yrs newer than VT |
1980Lowest 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 49% above VT |
30 minLowest 28% above VT |
31 min 31% above VT |
| Work from home | 14.2%±5.8 VT: 16.9% |
6.1%±2.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±5.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Washington and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Waits River Union High District #36 | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 | Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 |
| High school in town | None 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.