What stands out worked out from the figures below

Washington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.1%).

Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% 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	Washington	Sheldon
People
Population	1,208Lowest	2,267Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+6.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	-2.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	55±4.7Highest 41% above U.S.	40.9±3.5Lowest 5% above U.S.
Kids under 18	13.8%±4.9Lowest U.S.: 22%	23.7%±3.6Highest U.S.: 22%
Age 65+	29%±3Highest U.S.: 17.2%	12.6%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	32%Highest U.S.: 35.7%	14.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	4.6%±2.5Highest U.S.: 6.4%	2%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4%
	Washington and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$89,453±$12kHighest 11% above U.S.	$78,533±$25kLowest about the U.S. average
	Washington and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$358,600±$32kHighest 8% above U.S.	$272,400±$61kLowest 18% below U.S.
	Washington and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,106±$160Lowest 22% below U.S.	$1,286±$379Highest 9% below U.S.
	Sheldon and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,321Highest 39% above U.S.	$3,578Lowest 15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	0%±88.9 U.S.: 51.1%	0%±27 U.S.: 51.1%
Below poverty line	8.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	5.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	94.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2%	89%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1983Lowest 3 yrs newer than U.S.	1984Highest 4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	36 minHighest 34% above U.S.	25 minLowest 5% below U.S.
Work from home	14.9%±5.3Highest U.S.: 15.1%	13%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1%
	Washington and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	Washington School District	Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
High school in town	None in town	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	None yet	None yet

U.S. 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.