Compare towns

Washington vs Sheffield vs Orange

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Washington has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.7%).
Sheffield has the most affordable homes ($172k median).
Orange has the highest household income ($71k).

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.

MeasureWashingtonSheffieldOrange
People
Population
1,056Highest
573Lowest
957
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-2.2%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.9±5.1Highest
23% above VT
42±8Lowest
about the VT average
50.3±5.3
17% above VT
Washington and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.5%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
17.1%±6.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.6%±4.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Sheffield and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.3%±4.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.2%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
19.4%±4
VT: 21.4%
Washington and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31%Highest
VT: 43.8%
27.1%
VT: 43.8%
22.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±2
VT: 7%
5.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.4%±1.9Lowest
VT: 7%
Sheffield and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$66,103±$8k
19% below VT
$58,333±$26kLowest
28% below VT
$71,302±$13kHighest
12% below VT
Orange and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$217,700±$37k
31% below VT
$171,900±$50kLowest
46% below VT
$222,000±$22kHighest
30% below VT
Orange and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$996±$285
19% below VT
$967±$79Lowest
22% below VT
$1,330±$153Highest
8% above VT
Orange and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,485
31% below VT
$2,123Lowest
58% below VT
$3,545Highest
30% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
34.5%±63.6
VT: 48.4%
61.5%±41.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±87Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Sheffield and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
6.6%
VT: 10.1%
7.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
83.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
87.8%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1987Highest
11 yrs newer than VT
1981
5 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
31% above VT
30 min
28% above VT
28 minLowest
19% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±5.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
6.1%±2.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
13.5%±4.3
VT: 16.9%
Washington and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 Echo Valley Community Union School District #67
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.