Compare towns

Vernon vs Proctor vs Fair Haven

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Vernon has the most expensive homes ($285k median).
Proctor has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.3%).
Fair Haven has the most affordable homes ($177k median).

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.

MeasureVernonProctorFair Haven
People
Population
2,709
1,794Lowest
2,724Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.6%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+1.3%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+0.1%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42.6±5.4Highest
about the VT average
42.4±6.4
about the VT average
39.2±7.6Lowest
9% below VT
Vernon and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.1%±3.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.8%±4.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
19.4%±5.1
VT: 17.9%
Proctor and Fair Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.8%±2.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.4%±2.5
VT: 21.4%
18.4%±4.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Vernon and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
26.6%
VT: 43.8%
28.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
23.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3%±1.7Lowest
VT: 7%
3.6%±1.7
VT: 7%
4.1%±2.9Highest
VT: 7%
Fair Haven and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$85,682±$9kHighest
6% above VT
$74,167±$12k
9% below VT
$62,404±$16kLowest
23% below VT
Vernon and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$285,100±$25kHighest
10% below VT
$209,900±$17k
34% below VT
$176,500±$14kLowest
44% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$214
17% below VT
$1,029±$202Highest
17% below VT
$830±$116Lowest
33% below VT
Proctor and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,191Highest
3% above VT
$4,032
20% below VT
$3,865Lowest
23% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.2%±3.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
37.3%±16.2
VT: 48.4%
50.9%±20.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
Fair Haven and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
16.2%
VT: 10.1%
18.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
76.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
86.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.6%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979Highest
3 yrs newer than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
14% below VT
22 min
6% below VT
31 minHighest
31% above VT
Work from home
6.4%±3.1
VT: 16.9%
9.4%±4.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
4.3%±2.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Proctor and Vernon 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 #30 of 70 in VT — #66 of 70 in VT
School district Vernon School District Quarry Valley Unified Union School District #70 Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62
High school in town None in town Proctor Junior/Senior High School Fair Haven Union Middle and High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
8.7Lowest
12.8Highest
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.