Compare towns

Townshend vs Reading vs Newfane

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Townshend has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).
Reading has the most kids (18.5% under 18).
Newfane has the most people working from home (30.8%).

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.

MeasureTownshendReadingNewfane
People
Population
1,538Highest
699Lowest
1,456
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+3.2%
VT: +2.8%
-4.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
55.6±9.6Highest
29% above VT
51.1±7.6Lowest
19% above VT
54.4±3.9
26% above VT
Townshend and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12%±2.6
VT: 17.9%
18.5%±4.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
11.1%±3.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Reading and Townshend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.3%±6.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
28.2%±3.3
VT: 21.4%
29.2%±3.9Highest
VT: 21.4%
Newfane and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
52.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
46%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
46.5%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.4%±0.8Lowest
VT: 7%
3.1%±2.5Highest
VT: 7%
2.4%±2.1
VT: 7%
Reading and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$78,750±$29k
3% below VT
$85,000±$19kHighest
5% above VT
$66,719±$21kLowest
18% below VT
Reading and Townshend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$287,200±$79k
9% below VT
$377,200±$72kHighest
19% above VT
$284,200±$49kLowest
10% below VT
Reading and Townshend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,074±$80Lowest
13% below VT
$1,100±$331
11% below VT
$1,266±$238Highest
about the VT average
Newfane and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,364
6% above VT
$5,754Highest
14% above VT
$5,174Lowest
about the VT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
72.5%±23.1Highest
VT: 48.4%
63.3%±31.7
VT: 48.4%
51.9%±79.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Townshend and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.4%
VT: 10.1%
10.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
84.9%
VT: 73.2%
87.2%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1969Lowest
7 yrs older than VT
1971
5 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
6% above VT
33 minHighest
41% above VT
27 min
13% above VT
Work from home
28%±18.7
VT: 16.9%
22.9%±10.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
30.8%±12.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
Newfane and Townshend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district West River Valley Union Education District #72B · West River Valley Union Education District #72A Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 West River Valley Union Education District #72A
High school in town Leland & Gray Union Middle & High School None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
8.1
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On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.