Compare towns

Vernon vs Sheldon vs Franklin

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Vernon has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
Sheldon has the most homeowners (89%).
Franklin has the most people working from home (18.1%).

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.

MeasureVernonSheldonFranklin
People
Population
2,709Highest
2,267
1,590Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%
VT: +2.8%
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42.6±5.4Highest
about the VT average
40.9±3.5
5% below VT
38.8±6.9Lowest
10% below VT
Vernon and Sheldon 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%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
23.5%±5.6
VT: 17.9%
Sheldon and Franklin 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%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
15.3%±1.4
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
26.6%Highest
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
21.7%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3%±1.7
VT: 7%
2%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
7.5%±3.1Highest
VT: 7%
Franklin and Vernon 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
$78,533±$25kLowest
3% below VT
$79,917±$21k
about the VT average
Vernon and Franklin 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
$272,400±$61k
14% below VT
$247,400±$66kLowest
22% below VT
Vernon and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$214
17% below VT
$1,286±$379Highest
4% above VT
$891±$266Lowest
28% below VT
Sheldon 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
$3,578
29% below VT
$3,384Lowest
33% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.2%±3.7
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
45.5%±42.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
Franklin and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.5%
VT: 10.1%
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
76.2%
VT: 73.2%
89%Highest
VT: 73.2%
74.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979Lowest
3 yrs newer than VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
1983
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
14% below VT
25 min
7% above VT
25 minHighest
8% above VT
Work from home
6.4%±3.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
18.1%±4.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Franklin and Sheldon 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 — —
School district Vernon School District Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 Missisquoi Valley School District #89
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
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.