Compare towns

Troy vs Strafford vs Sheldon

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Troy has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.6%).
Strafford has the most expensive homes ($431k median).
Sheldon has the youngest population (median age 40.9).

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.

MeasureTroyStraffordSheldon
People
Population
1,749
1,372Lowest
2,267Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44.5±5.7
3% above VT
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% below VT
Strafford and Troy 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%
23%±5.2
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Sheldon and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.7%±3
VT: 21.4%
22.1%±3.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Strafford and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
20.2%
VT: 43.8%
53.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±1.4
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
2%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Strafford 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±$11k
8% above VT
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
$78,533±$25kLowest
3% below VT
Strafford and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$233,200±$21kLowest
26% below VT
$431,300±$40kHighest
36% above VT
$272,400±$61k
14% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$646±$323Lowest
48% below VT
$1,125±$789
9% below VT
$1,286±$379Highest
4% above VT
Sheldon and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,644
28% below VT
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
$3,578Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.8%±26.3
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Strafford and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.2%
VT: 10.1%
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
88.9%
VT: 73.2%
89%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 min
about the VT average
23 minLowest
about the VT average
25 minHighest
7% above VT
Work from home
7.8%±2.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
Strafford and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Troy School District Strafford School District Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
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.