What stands out worked out from the figures below

Troy has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.6%).

Lowell has the most kids (30.7% 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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Troy	Lowell
People
Population	1,749Highest	1,070Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+3.6%Highest VT: +2.8%	+0.9%Lowest VT: +2.8%
Median age	44.5±5.7Highest 3% above VT	32.9±6.5Lowest 24% below VT
	Troy and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	21.4%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9%	30.7%±6.2Highest VT: 17.9%
	Lowell and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	17.7%±3Highest VT: 21.4%	12.3%±4.1Lowest VT: 21.4%
	Troy and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	20.2%Highest VT: 43.8%	19.2%Lowest VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	2.7%±1.4Lowest VT: 7%	2.8%±1.9Highest VT: 7%
	Lowell and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$87,938±$11kHighest 8% above VT	$57,404±$15kLowest 29% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$233,200±$21kHighest 26% below VT	$183,400±$33kLowest 42% below VT
	Troy and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$646±$323Lowest 48% below VT	$945±$46Highest 23% below VT
	Lowell and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$3,644Highest 28% below VT	$2,810Lowest 44% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	30.8%±26.3Highest VT: 48.4%	26.3%±92.9Lowest VT: 48.4%
	Troy and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	8.6%Lowest VT: 10.1%	9.6%Highest VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	86.6%Lowest VT: 73.2%	94.1%Highest VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1980Lowest 4 yrs newer than VT	1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	24 minLowest about the VT average	55 minHighest 135% above VT
Work from home	7.8%±2.3Highest VT: 16.9%	7.5%±2.3Lowest VT: 16.9%
	Troy and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	Troy School District	Lowell School District
High school in town	None in town	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.